- By Prateek Levi
- Sat, 16 Aug 2025 11:43 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
If your internet feels sluggish, video calls keep freezing, or your movies won’t stream without buffering, don’t be too quick to blame your internet provider or router. The real reason might be closer than you think. Ordinary things around your house—from mirrors and microwaves to Bluetooth speakers and even aquariums—could be quietly sabotaging your Wi-Fi.
The best part? You don’t need to spend money on a new router or a fancy extender. A few smart adjustments in where you place your router and what you keep around it can instantly make your connection faster and more reliable.
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Mirrors and Metal Surfaces Can Trap Your Signal
Decorative mirrors, metal shelves, or even filing cabinets can reflect Wi-Fi signals, bouncing them around instead of letting them spread evenly. Keeping your router away from reflective or metallic surfaces helps the signal travel freely across your home.
Bluetooth Devices Compete With Your Wi-Fi
Smart speakers, headphones, and other Bluetooth gadgets run on the same frequency as Wi-Fi. If your router is sitting too close to them, both signals clash, causing sudden slowdowns. Just separating your router from these devices can smooth things out.
Microwaves Do More Than Heat Food
A microwave oven can wreak havoc on Wi-Fi. It emits waves that overlap with your router’s frequency, disrupting the signal every time it’s in use. If your router sits near the kitchen, moving it to another spot could make a world of difference.
Water Tanks and Aquariums Block Wi-Fi
Water absorbs Wi-Fi signals, which means that a big aquarium or water tank near your router can create frustrating dead zones. Placing your router at a safe distance ensures your signal doesn’t get swallowed.
Furniture Can Weaken Your Network
When a router is tucked inside a cabinet or hidden behind large furniture, the signal struggles to pass through. Positioning it in an open, central spot helps the Wi-Fi spread evenly across all rooms.
Walls and Doors Are Silent Wi-Fi Barriers
Thick walls and closed doors don’t just reduce sound — they also block Wi-Fi. Keeping your router in a central, elevated location with minimal obstructions will give you better coverage across your home.
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Small Moves, Big Results
Improving your Wi-Fi doesn’t always require costly gadgets. Often, moving mirrors, microwaves, water-filled objects, and electronics out of the way, while keeping your router open and elevated, can dramatically boost performance. With just a little rearranging, you can enjoy smoother streaming, faster downloads, and uninterrupted work — all without spending a single rupee.