Putting Aluminum Foil Behind Your Router – Here’s Why?

As technology advances and more devices in our homes connect to the internet, we often find ourselves struggling with slower connection speeds, especially during peak hours when everyone in the neighborhood or complex is winding down for the day. However, a technology professor has shared a surprising hack that could help improve your Wi-Fi speed almost instantly: placing a sheet of aluminum foil behind your router.

James McQuiggan, a Security Awareness Advocate for KnowBe4 and a part-time faculty professor at Valencia College in the Engineering, Computer Programming & Technology Division, has thoroughly researched this technique and believes it can be an effective way to boost your Wi-Fi connection speed.

Apparently, when more devices are connected to the same wireless network, the signal becomes weaker, much like “a sprinkler head spraying water in all directions,” as McQuiggan explains. This is because the wireless signals go to places where they’re not needed, ultimately weakening the signal where it is needed most.

Additionally, obstructions like furniture or walls can impact the signal strength. That’s where the aluminum foil behind your router takes effect. Placing the aluminum foil behind your router with the shiny side facing outward will reflect the signal, allowing it to travel more freely and methodically. Furthermore, shaping the aluminum foil behind your router will give you more control over where the signal travels.

Although this hack might seem unconventional, a research team at Dartmouth studied the theory and confirmed Professor James McQuiggan’s findings. The team reported that they created a “3D-printed shape” that was “covered in aluminum” and strategically placed it to control where the signal traveled. They were able to boost the signal in desired places by more than half, while decreasing the signal in undesired places by just over 60%.

To try this hack, you’ll need:

1. A 1-foot sheet of aluminum foil (be sure to cover the antenna to the top, if your router has one).
2. Create a “C” shape with the sheet, then place the aluminum foil behind your router. The shiny side should be facing inside the curve, toward the router.
3. Fold out the bottom of the sheet to create a stand if it needs extra support to stand upright.

Once you’ve set up the aluminum foil, check the connection by going to areas where you’d like to see an increase in signal strength, such as the couch or the kitchen. Then, run a speed test to see the difference in your connection speeds.

Interestingly, the Dartmouth team also discovered that placing aluminum foil behind your router may be a successful way to ensure a secure connection. By limiting how far the Wi-Fi signal can reach, it becomes more difficult for hackers to access your network, especially if you arrange the signals to avoid areas where a connection is never needed. As the researchers wrote, “Such physical confinement of wireless signals serves as a complementary method to existing network security measures, such as encryption, and hence raises the barrier for attackers.”

It’s important to note that this hack won’t always work, and the results aren’t guaranteed. Brooke, a homeowner who tried the hack, didn’t experience much of a difference in her internet speeds. However, she still recommends giving it a shot before investing in more expensive solutions, such as a Wi-Fi extender.

If the aluminum foil hack doesn’t work for you, there are other basic household items you can try, such as metal baking sheets or beverage cans. The key is to shape and position them so that the curved, reflective part faces toward the area in your home where you want to amplify the Wi-Fi signal.

While the aluminum foil hack can be an inexpensive solution, it may not work for everyone. Professor McQuiggan suggests that “While foil can help concentrate the signals, it’s usually not a great solution compared with upgrading your router or positioning it more optimally.”

Other options for boosting your Wi-Fi signal include:

• Rebooting your router: Always use the power button if it has one, as unplugging it while it’s on can cause it to short-circuit.
• Investing in a Wi-Fi extender: This device typically plugs into the wall, connecting to the Wi-Fi and helping to extend the signal.
• Utilizing resources like the national broadband map to report, troubleshoot, and fix a problem with Wi-Fi connectivity.

In conclusion, the aluminum foil hack may be a simple and cost-effective way to boost your Wi-Fi speeds, but it’s not a guaranteed solution. It’s worth trying, especially if you’re experiencing frustratingly slow internet connections, but it’s essential to be prepared to explore other options if the hack doesn’t work for your specific setup. By staying informed and exploring a range of solutions, you can ensure that your home network is as fast and reliable as possible.