Internet slowing you down this Christmas? Find out why

If you’re experiencing slower speeds over the festive period, there could be a simple (but surprising) reason for it.

At Grain, we’re well versed when it comes to troubleshooting your holiday connectivity issues. And the true culprits might surprise you. Those twinkling Christmas lights wrapping your windows? They’re secretly waging war on your wi-fi signal. Keep reading to find out more…

The festive interference you never saw coming

Your jazzy decorations could be the stealth saboteurs of your internet connection. LED Christmas lights operate on the same frequency as many wi-fi routers, creating unexpected signal interference. Moving your lights just three feet away from your router can dramatically improve your connection.

But that’s just the beginning.

The great Christmas Day device pile-up

Remember last year when Auntie Susan’s family showed up with their arsenal of devices, all still auto-connecting from last Christmas? Those forgotten devices lingering on your network aren’t just digital ghosts of Christmas past – they’re actually hogging your bandwidth.

Pro tip: Start fresh this festive season with a password change. Yes, you’ll face the dreaded “What’s the wi-fi password?” chorus but consider it your chance to decide who makes the ‘nice’ list for your network. Nothing says “seasonal boundaries” quite like selectively sharing your new password.

The phantom unplugging

Last December, we handled a number of panic-stricken calls about dead connections. The cause? Well-meaning relatives unplugging routers to make room for phone chargers or Christmas light extensions. Yes, really.

Take preventive action:

• Label your router’s power cable
• Use a dedicated power strip for networking equipment

Smart Solutions for Seasonal Strain

1. Schedule your system updates before the festivities begin
2. Consider a wi-fi extender for larger homes hosting multiple guests
3. Change your wi-fi password ahead of the festive frenzy, because a clean network is a happy network.
4. Gatekeep your new password like your life depends on it. And remove users once they leave.

The Bottom Line

Your Christmas connection doesn’t have to suffer this season.

Remember, if you send this blog to your technophobic family members now – you’re likely to get fewer tech support questions later. And isn’t that the greatest gift of all?