BT HomeHub equipment warm - safe to leave on when away?

Roger1

We recently installed BT internet. The router and HomeHub6 equipment get warm.

I'm used to switching TV etc off at night, and when away switching/unplugging everything including router. Peace of mind.

Now I'm not sure whether to switch anything off overnight (probably not necessary) or whether to switch everything off when the house is unoccupied, e.g. for holidays.

What do MSEers think? Thanks.

ballyblack

Bt hub are better kept ON for connection stability. However if you going away for a long period Switch OFF

DoaM

If I'm going away for 5 days or more then I turn the router off, otherwise I leave it on.

Neil_Jones

Routers are designed to be left on permanently, plus any drops in connectivity the network sees (as a result of you turning it off) makes it think your line isn't stable so it will knock your connection speed down.

All the Home Hub routers do get warm. This is normal. Of course it's recommended to give it ventilation, ie don't shut it in a cupboard that you rarely open.

pollypenny

Oh, heck. I put it off every night. I take it that I shouldn't.

Strider590

pollypenny wrote: »

Oh, heck. I put it off every night. I take it that I shouldn't.

No, and another reason not to turn them off is they're set to auto pick a WiFi channel (1 to 13) when they're turned on, which invariably screws up all the other neighbours WiFi (espeically as some routers are known to pick the busiest channels for no good reason).

I used to use WiFi, but I ended up running a cable through the house, because every single day I was having to go into my router settings to change it to an unused WiFi channel, ALL because 3 of my nearest neighbours keep turning their routers on/off.

EssexExile

It's very selfish turning off a HomeHub, what are the neighbours who use your free wi-fi hotspot to do?

thescouselander

Don't turn off your HH. My mother in law does this and her previously 12mb/s connection has reduced to around 250kb/s. Serves her right really as she won't listen.

Neil_Jones

thescouselander wrote: »

Don't turn off your HH. My mother in law does this and her previously 12mb/s connection has reduced to around 250kb/s. Serves her right really as she won't listen.

As a sidenote to this if people do end up with a reduced/throttled connection due to constantly switching off their routers, just leave the router on and in due course the connection speed should come back - average time is three to five days.

googler

If the kit gets warm during the day, it will stay warm overnight, or when you go on holiday.

Statistically, it's not MORE likely to go up in flames at any time you're asleep, or out of the house.

Sooler

If house is going to be unoccupied turn everything off except the fridge. Turn off the water as well.