Wi-Fi alert: Warning as UK's first heatwave of the year could cause internet issues

• Heatwave incoming with temperatures set to reach 29 degrees next week

• When the mercury rises towards 30 degrees, your router could be at risk

• Uswitch’s telecoms expert, Simrat Sharma, shares her advice on how to stop your tech overheating and warns what you should NEVER do

The Great British summer could finally be arriving, with a heatwave expected to deliver temperatures in the high 20s.

Many of us will be enjoying the much-needed sunshine, but as temperatures rise it is important to keep an eye on your tech. Any time temperatures climb to around 30 degrees Celsius, home tech such as your router can be damaged if not stored properly.

A broadband router or mobile phone might not be the first device you think of when it comes to overheating, but it’s important to make sure it stays cool. After all, if your router goes down, so will all your other devices that are connected to Wi-Fi.

Whether you rely on broadband to work from home, or if you plan to seek shade while enjoying your favourite series, here are three top tips from telecoms expert Simrat Sharma at Uswitch.com to help your router cope:

1. Beware of hot spots: Place your router in the coolest room in your home, away from direct sunlight. Typically, a central spot in the home works best. Keep your router away from the sunny spots such as window sills in the summer.

2. Ensure proper ventilation: Wi-Fi routers need adequate airflow to help avoid overheating. Place your router on a stable, level surface — preferably one that remains cool. This ensures proper ventilation around the device, especially underneath it.

3. Working outdoors: If you’re lucky enough to be able to work from your garden, it’s important to keep your tech gadgets away from direct sunlight, where they may overheat. Don’t be tempted to put your router outside in the sunlight — instead, consider a Wi-Fi extender if necessary.

And it’s not just routers — high temperatures will dial up the risk for mobile damage too:

1. Be mindful of heat strain: Most phones are designed to work up to 35 degrees and are able to keep themselves cool. However, direct sunlight adds additional strain to your device, so be mindful of keeping your phone out of the sun's glare.

2. Give your phone a rest: If you can feel your phone beginning to get hot, start by giving it a helping hand and closing down unused apps or features such as Bluetooth connectivity and App Refresh. All your phone’s features require the processor to generate heat, so closing these can add up.

3. Avoid a cold reception: A drawer or the glove compartment is usually the best place to keep your device cool. Never put your phone in the fridge or freezer as a way of lowering the temperature.

4. Check your charger: Non-official chargers, particularly cheaper replacements, can often overload a smartphone while charging, which can become a more significant issue when your phone is already struggling with the heat.

Simrat Sharma, telecoms expert at Uswitch.com, adds: “We’re all happy to see summer finally arriving in the UK, but of course your tech might not always feel the same way and there’s a real risk your mobile phone or router can suffer long-term damage.

“Mobile phones and routers have in-built hardware to help them keep cool, but there are some things you can do to help. As a general rule, direct sunlight can often have a detrimental effect on your tech.

“Electronic devices all rely on ventilation to keep cool. This means they need space around them to let out the hot air caused by all the processing they need to do. If your router is surrounded by lots of other objects, it can’t properly ventilate and might overheat. For your mobile phone, a case could have the same effect.

“The more devices that are connected to your router, the harder it has to work to keep them all online, which makes it more likely to slow down or switch off. The same applies to your mobile device — if it has too many applications running this will force the processor to work harder and generate more heat.

“If your phone has overheated - you should never put it in a fridge or freezer to cool off, as the rapid change in temperature can do more harm than good. Instead, turn the power off and leave to cool in a well-ventilated area out of the sun. "

For more on how to keep your tech from overheating, visit Uswitch.com.