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How Christmas Decorations Could Be Dragging Down Your Wi-Fi

Hyperoptic shares simple router tweaks to keep speeds steady when the house fills with new gadgets and festive clutter.

15 September 2026 · Marcus Bellamy · Hyperoptic

Festive Set-Ups Hit Home Networks Hard

The first weekend in December sees the most UK households put up their Christmas trees, and Hyperoptic data shows this also marks the start of peak Wi-Fi strain. Nearly 90% of homes plan to connect extra smartphones, over three-quarters will stream on smart TVs, and more than half expect games consoles and smart speakers to join the network at once. Oversized trees, fairy lights and rearranged furniture often block or weaken signals without anyone noticing.

Quick Router Moves That Help

Hyperoptic lists four straightforward changes that restore coverage before the big day:

  • Keep the router visible instead of tucking it behind decorations or sofas.
  • Raise it onto a shelf rather than leaving it on the floor.
  • Move it away from microwaves, baby monitors and Bluetooth devices that cause interference.
  • Place it centrally so the signal reaches every room evenly.

These steps cost nothing yet directly counter the extra load from unwrapped gifts and family video calls.

Upgrading Before the Rush

Lutfu Kitapci, CCO and ISP MD at Hyperoptic, said: “The festive period is when home Wi-Fi is pushed to the limit - the house is full, everyone’s online, and new devices are being connected all at once. Even small changes to your router placement can make a big difference. And with One Touch Switch making it easier than ever to upgrade, there’s still time to move to faster, more reliable broadband before Christmas. Whether you’re streaming festive favourites or connecting new gadgets, we want every household to stay seamlessly connected.”

Hyperoptic’s recent full-fibre offers give households another route to stronger connections in time for the holidays. We cover the latest broadband deals to help you compare options quickly.

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