Virgin Media issues important Wi-Fi advice - 5 things you 'need to do' today

We all want better and faster broadband, and if your internet feels like it's constantly letting you down, you might want to check out some new advice from Virgin Media. The TV and telecoms company has just released some new, simple tips on how to keep those downloads running at full speed.

As most people know, the key to a reliable connection is making sure the router is in a prime position and isn't being blocked by objects or other electronics.

"Finding the right place to sit is important. Your Hub agrees," Virgin said in its latest update.

Although moving your Wi-Fi device won't increase the speeds you currently pay for, it can make sure you get the most out of your internet and keep things more reliable.

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Virgin's latest update offers 5 top tips and it's well worth taking note.

"There are a lot of big wins hiding in that one small move, no matter how many devices you have connected. Here’s what you need to do," Virgin added.

The first place to start is making sure the Hub (router) is in a prime position. This means it's a central in the home as possible and not tucked in a corner or behind your sofa.

Signals beam out from this box and can easily get blocked so a good portion is vital to those speeds.

Next, Virgin says to give it as much space as possible so the Wi-Fi has the best chance of spreading itself out to more rooms.

Then there's the issue of having it on the floor as this won't do the signal any favour either.

"Keep it off the floor and use a bookshelf, cabinet top or wall mount for better coverage."

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You also really don't want that flashing black box to be anywhere near other electrical devices especially microwave ovens as these can wreak havoc with the Wi-Fi.

"Think open, elevated, and central – kinda like a WiFi throne," Virgin added.

So those are the top tips for your router, but there are some other things to try, including setting big downloads to happen when you are in bed to avoid taking up all-important bandwidth.

"Schedule big downloads like a mammoth game update or a system backup for late at night. If you can’t schedule them, just set it going before you go to bed or at a time when you don’t need to be online."

It's also a good idea to check what devices are connected to your router and remove any that look suspicious.

Finally, you should try to switch off your router at least once a month in a bid to clear any issues. To perform a reset, simply hit the power button, wait a minute and then with things back on.

A full reboot can take up to 5 minutes so make sure nobody needs the web before taking the plunge.