Working from home: getting the most out of your broadband

Working from home has become completely normal for many of us, at least some of the time. Whether it’s to prioritise home life, escape the weather or simply to avoid the watercooler chit-chat with that person whose name you can’t quite remember, WFH has given work/life balance to many of us.

But with our homes becoming part-time offices, a reliable connection has never been more important. Video calls cutting out when you need to give a big presentation or documents not uploading or downloading quickly enough can be a hugely frustrating.

We want your broadband to work just as hard as you do – on the clock and when you’re off-duty, because we know relaxation mode is just as important as work mode. We’ve put together some top tips so you can stay connected and make the most of your Virgin Media broadband.

Most people are concerned with their download and upload speeds, but high packet loss and latency can wreak havoc with your video calls, live streaming and gaming. Fortunately, there are things you can do at your end that should help rectify this.

Firstly, it’s important that you run a speed test – you can do this here. This will help give you a much clearer picture of your WiFi performance and let you know if there’s something not quite right with your service. The speed test will measure the internet speed to your device and to the Hub, giving you a complete overview of your home network.

If you’re running a WiFi speed test, make sure your device has a direct connection, no Virtual Private Network (VPN) running and is not in modem-only mode.

4 easy ways to improve your latency and packet loss

There are several practical actions you can take to reduce latency and lessen packet loss, so you enjoy a faster, smoother connection. Here are four effective ways to do so using simple adjustments to your setup and online habits.

1. Use a wired connection. Switching from WiFi to Ethernet is an easy way to lower latency. WiFi can be slowed by walls, devices and nearby networks, while a wired connection avoids interference and provides a more stable, direct link – especially useful for gaming, streaming and video calls. Packet loss can sometimes be a network issue but do make sure you have a good-quality Ethernet cable, because a poor one can create and increase packet loss.

2. Move closer to the router. Distance weakens your WiFi signal, especially with walls or floors in the way, which can increase latency and packet loss. Try staying in the same room as your router or anywhere with a strong signal. If that’s not possible, or it’s impractical for your home set-up, a WiFi Pod or mesh system can help improve coverage.

3. Restart your router. Routers can slow down over time, causing lag or dropped connections. Restarting clears temporary issues and gives you a fresh connection. It’s good practice to reboot your router and modem about once a month – just turn it off for 30 seconds, then turn back on and wait a minute or two to restart.

4. Upgrade your broadband package. Sometimes, the problem isn’t with your set-up but with the speed you’re paying for. If you’re regularly experiencing performance issues, it may to be time to upgrade your broadband package to get those superfast internet speeds you’re after. Not sure what you can get? Check out all of our broadband deals and enter your postcode to see what’s available in your area.

It’s also useful to remove background data use. Here’s how:

Lots of things can affect upload speed, from the type of broadband you've got to how many devices you've got using the internet at home. Find out more about upload speed.

Did you know that the position of your Hub can also affect your upload speed and your broadband’s overall performance? Get the best WiFi signal by making sure your Hub is upright, out in the open (but out of direct sunlight if possible) and away from baby monitors and cordless phones, which can also interfere with WiFi signals. Aim for 1 metre of clearance. Watch our video below to find out how you can get the best WiFi signal from your Hub.

We offer fast, reliable WiFi gliding through every room or money back, with average download speeds of up to 516Mbps – and our Gig1 Fibre Broadband provides download speeds averaging 1,140Mbps! Simply follow these instructions to find out whether we can provide broadband where you live:

1. Pop your postcode into the postcode checker.

2. Find your address from the list and select Next.

3. You’ll find out whether you can get Virgin Media in your area and what packages, speeds and benefits are available to you.

The My Virgin Media app is the easiest way to manage your Virgin Media account on the go – and it’s available to download for all new and existing TV, broadband and phone customers. You can view your bills and package details, check your service status, make quick and easy payments and much, much more.

Download it for iOS and Android to get started.

We’ve got speeds for every household. Take a look at our superfast fibre broadband deals.