We all want faster broadband, but getting quicker downloads will depend on your street, location and how much you are prepared to pay. As a general rule, the more rapid the speeds, the more expensive things get. Luckily, Virgin Media has recently released new advice which can not only make things better for free but might also stop annoying dead spots and your broadband breaking.

The latest guidance comes via a new update posted on Virgin's website, and it's well worth following some of these simple tips if you want to improve your connection.

So, what do you need to do to get things back up to full speed?

Virgin says that one of the first places to start is with your router's position and ensuring it's in the very best area of your home.

Virgin explained, "To get the best Wi-Fi coverage, place your router in the center of your home."

"Wi-Fi signals spread out in all directions, so putting the router in the middle helps ensure that the signal reaches every room evenly."

Another top tip is to place the router in the part of the home where you need the internet the most. If you are constantly streaming videos and downloading games in your living room then that's where this flashing black box really needs to be.

So, you've got the router in the perfect room, but you now need to get it up off the floor.

"Routers work best when they’re placed on a higher surface like a shelf or a table, rather than on the floor," Virgin added.

"Placing the router higher helps the signal travel more freely, improving coverage and reducing weak spots."

Even with the perfect placement, there are still things that can bring your broadband shuddering to a halt. Wi-Fi hates things such as chunky walls, metal, mirrors, baby monitors, and even fish tanks, so try to keep the box away from those objects.

"Thick walls, especially ones made of concrete or brick, can weaken Wi-Fi signals. Metal objects like filing cabinets, refrigerators, and even mirrors can reflect or block signals," Virgin said.

"Devices like microwaves, cordless phones, and baby monitors can interfere with Wi-Fi signals because they operate on the same frequency."

The final thing to avoid is tucking the router away in cupboard. Yes, these things are pretty ugly but hiding them away is a terrible for those download speeds.

"It’s tempting to hide the router behind a TV or inside a cabinet to keep it out of sight, but that can weaken the signal," Virgin warned.

"Routers need open space to broadcast signals effectively. Keeping it out in the open helps improve performance and gives you a stronger connection."

If your broadband isn't performing as it should, then give these tips a try.

Another way to show the strength of your Wi-Fi is to perform a speed test via a wired Ethernet connection to your router and then do the same test via wireless connectivity.

If your wired speeds are way better, you'll know you need to make some changes to the router's position and maybe invest in some boosters.