Virgin Media issues Wi-Fi alert for all UK homes | Tech News

We all need quicker web speeds, however fast entry to the web turns into even more important whenever you own a gaming console. Many of us have now converted to downloading titles reasonably than heading to the retailers and shopping for bodily discs, however while handy, this may place a large stress on the Wi-Fi. Some trendy AAA video games can weigh in at a whopping 70GB in dimension and take over two hours to put in through a customary web connection.

It might be fairly mind-numbing watching the obtain bar slowly fill up, and issues will take even longer if the Wi-Fi is not working at its best.

To help cut back the frustration, Virgin Media has simply launched some important advice that all avid gamers can be sensible to observe.

The prime suggestions embrace making sure the Wi-Fi router is in a prime place and restrict different online actions – similar to 4K film streaming – when attempting ti set up new video games.

If you like an night of Call of Duty or spend hours enjoying EA Sports FC, then listed below are 5 guidelines to observe for a higher expertise

Place Your Router within the very Best Spot

Virgin says it is important to get your router away from objects similar to fish tanks, out of cabinets and up off the ground as these can all have an effect on the signal. Thick partitions also can sluggish issues down, and it is at all times good so as to add some boosters across the home to help pace issues up. The higher the place, the much less likelihood you will have of lag and useless spots.

Explaining more, Virgin mentioned: “Place your router in an open space, ideally in the centre of your home and elevated on a shelf or table. Keep it away from large appliances and metal objects, which can interfere with the signal. If your gaming setup is far away, consider moving your router closer to your console or PC for the best results.”

Use a Wired Ethernet Connection over WiFi

Those wanting the last word speeds can be best plugging their consoles straight into the router through an Ethernet connection. Using a hard-wire reasonably than going wi-fi will stop issues being affected by any interference that may carry Wi-Fi indicators grinding to a halt.

“If you want the fastest and strongest connection you can get, use a Cat6 Ethernet cable for the best performance,” mentioned Virgin.

“Plug your console or gaming PC directly into the router whenever possible. You’ll see a big improvement in ping and fewer random disconnects.”

Restart Your Router

Yes, that previous trick of turning it on and off again can work wonders. A fast reboot of the router will clear any bugs and make sure the gadget is working at its best. Just bear in mind that it will possibly take up to five minutes for the Wi-Fi to begin working after being switched off, so make sure no one is about to move into an important work Zoom call earlier than tapping the off swap.

Revealing why turning it off is a good concept, Virgin mentioned: “Power cycle your router by turning it off for 30 seconds, then turning it back on. Doing this once a week can help keep your connection stable. If you find you need to do this daily, it might be time to upgrade your router.”

Upgrade to a Gaming-Ready Router

If your obtain speeds stay dismal, it is perhaps time to modify to one thing new. Newer routers typically embrace options like dual-band (2.4 GHz and 5 GHz), MU-MIMO for a number of units, and QoS settings to prioritise gaming visitors.

“Upgrading to a newer router, ideally one that supports WiFi 6 or mesh systems, can make a noticeable difference to your speed and reliability,” Virgin added.

Limit Bandwidth-Hungry Activities During Gaming

If you wish to go gaming, inform everybody else in the home to get offline! If somebody in one other room is downloading or streaming 4K films while you attempt to set up a large DLC, it might carry issues to a grinding halt. Think of your Wi-Fi like a motorway. The more visitors that flows by means of it, the slower it will possibly get.

“Schedule big game downloads or updates for off-peak hours,” Virgin explains.

“Ask others to keep away from streaming in high decision whilst you’re gaming. If your router helps QoS, set your gaming gadget to “high priority” mode.