Why You Should Put Aluminum Foil Behind Your Router

In the days before the Internet and Wi-Fi services, people used aluminum foil to increase the strength of their TV or radio antennas. Aluminum foil could provide an amazing solution when a dark and stormy night threatened to disrupt the Super Bowl or a breaking news story.

Today, you may scoff at the idea of aluminum foil enhancing your Wi-Fi connection. However, if you’re having issues with your router, putting aluminum foil behind it may provide a quick fix.

Let’s take a look at some of the common issues with routers, and how aluminum foil can help.

Why your router is important for Wi-Fi 

Your Wi-Fi router is a vital component to quick Internet speed and connection. However, your router isn’t the same as your Internet connection. Your connection comes through fiber optics via your modem. Without these important tools, your router wouldn’t be able to function. 

Nevertheless, a router can still make or break your Internet experience. If your router doesn’t work properly, you can’t access your modem’s Wi-Fi connection. Your router can get overloaded, and may experience reduced speeds as a result.

The role of the router

The role of your router in accessing the Internet is similar to the way the post office plays a role in your snail mail. It forwards data packets to your IP address so that you can read, watch, and listen to the information you receive online.  

Without a post office, your physical mail couldn’t be sorted or directed to quickly arrive at your address. The same is true for your router. It takes massive amounts of data you need to receive and transfer for a seamless online experience.

Your router also allows multiple devices in your home network to connect to the Internet simultaneously. If you work in an office or have multiple Internet users at home, a router is crucial for everyone to get online at the same time.

Common router issues   

Although your router may prove durable and last for years, there are some common router issues that arise. Some of the problems a router may experience include:

• Bandwidth saturation
• Connectivity issues
• DNS issues
• Firmware and hardware issues
• Incorrect Wi-Fi settings
• Limited range
• Spotty Wi-Fi signal

How to troubleshoot your Wi-Fi issues 

Before you dump your costly router in the trash, there are simple steps you can take to troubleshoot your Wi-Fi and router issues. You can diagnose your connectivity problems by doing the following:

• Check your modem. Ensure your connectivity issues aren’t due to a problem with your modem, rather than your router. Loose cables or faulty modems can slow down your Wi-Fi connection speeds. Your ISP (Internet Service Provider) can run remote tests to confirm the efficiency of your modem. They may be able to help you troubleshoot modem issues as well.
• Check your router version. Every Wi-Fi router is assigned a version of 802.11. The term 802.11 refers to the model of your router. This number is typically located on  the back of your router. If you’re using a router with a 802.11 a, b, g, or n designation, it’s outdated and needs to be replaced. Routers with a Wi-Fi designation (Wi-Fi 5, Wi-Fi 6, or Wi-Fi 6E) are considered current. If your router has any of these classifications, then the router model isn’t the issue with your Internet connectivity.
• Check your router’s channel and bandwidth. You can check the bandwidth and channel your router uses by utilizing a free Wi-Fi analyzer app. If the bandwidth is set at 2.4 GHz, you may have a wide range for your connected devices but experience slower speeds. Similarly, a low Wi-Fi channel connected with a 2.4 GHz bandwidth can become overcrowded and significantly slow. Switching to a 5 GHz bandwidth can give you access to faster speeds, but may have limited range.  When you’re using a 5GHz bandwidth, you should use the following Wi-Fi channels: 36, 40, 44, 48. 

How aluminum foil can help your router

If your router isn’t damaged beyond repair, or so outdated it’s outlived its use, aluminum foil may be able to save the day — and your Wi-Fi connection. It may seem like an antiquated method. But aluminum foil is an easy and inexpensive tool that can do wonders for your router’s functionality. 

Router technology continues to evolve, and your Wi-Fi-connected device doesn’t necessarily need to be in extremely close proximity to your router. However, obstructions such as walls and furniture can keep your connection from running smoothly.    

If you put a sheet of aluminum foil behind your router or wrap the sides and back of your router in aluminum foil, you may experience some benefits.

Benefits of aluminum foil around your router

• Boost in signal strength: Although walls between your device and your router can weaken signal strength, aluminum foil can amplify it. Aluminum foil has the ability to reflect high frequency radio waves, which redirects and focuses your signal strength.
• Easy wireless configuration: Aluminum foil can simplify your router’s wireless configuration as it helps to concentrate precise Wi-Fi signals and optimize a Wi-Fi signal’s access point.
• Heat deflection: You may notice that much like your other smart devices, your router can get severely hot. This excessive heat is due to the extraordinary amount of energy your smart devices emit. If your router overheats, it can lose functionality and you may experience a significant reduction in Wi-Fi speeds. However, as a great reflector and disperser of heat, aluminum foil can thwart this evil and allow you a seamless online experience.
• Inexpensive repair: Your ISP may charge you an exorbitant amount if a technician needs to pay you a home or office visit to repair your router. Aluminum foil is an inexpensive and readily available product that may fix your router issues.
• Reduced Wi-Fi interference: The capabilities of Wi-Fi depend on radio waves and radio frequency signals. As we increasingly switch to smart devices throughout our offices and homes, the radio frequency signals transmitted and received can overlap and get jumbled. Aluminum foil can heroically save your router from this chaotic fate by reflecting unnecessary signals and blocking those transmitted by other nearby devices.     

How spotty Wi-Fi can impact your cybersecurity   

Alumunium foil can help your cybersecurity protection as well. Slow Wi-Fi speeds and weak signals can expose your router’s vulnerabilities, and give cybercriminals a way into your operating system through a backdoor attack.

A secure wireless network needs a secure router to work properly.

By boosting your signal strength and increasing your Wi-Fi speed with aluminum foil, you may protect yourself against hackers that target routers to install malware and infect your smart devices with a variety of computer viruses.

Aluminum foil isn’t just for covering leftovers anymore. You can put aluminum foil behind your router to help increase your Wi-Fi speed and boost its signal strength.

Visit What Is My IP Address for free cybersecurity tools, and check out our blog for the latest cybersecurity insights, tips, and trends.