Is your router overheating? How to keep it cool and working properly

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A hot router can cause more problems than you might think. Engadget has a guide to spotting and fixing an overheating router, starting with the reassurance that feeling warm is normal, but being uncomfortably hot to touch is not

Warning signs include dropped connections, unstable speeds, freezes and unexpected shutdowns, which suggest the processor is slowing itself down to cope with heat. Overheating can also make a router switch Wi-Fi bands and lose range

The advice is to keep routers out of cupboards and direct sunlight, and away from PCs and games consoles that give off heat. Cleaning dust from the vents and keeping firmware updated also helps

A faulty or wrongly rated power adapter can cause extra heat too. If none of the fixes work, the router itself may be failing and need replacing

Routers often get hidden in cupboards or behind televisions because they are not pretty, which is the worst place for them. Giving them a bit of open space is a free fix for many Wi-Fi problems. It is worth checking yours if your connection drops in the evenings

Where is your router kept? And have you ever fixed Wi-Fi problems just by moving it?

Is your router overheating? Herewww.engadget.com