Ignorant user alert: Heat causing wireless issues?

[GoStumpy]

Hello! First time venturing into the networking forum...

I have a Telus (ISP) installed wireless modem/router, and for a while now I've noticed that sometimes my laptop (well, all wireless devices) cannot connect... often it can see the network with full strength, but cannot connect.

Then I go and notice that the wife had placed a flashlight on top of it, not covering ports, but on it nonetheless.. Removed the flashlight, blew in all the holes, and it all of a sudden worked! I put my hand on the top, and the case was warm for sure, not quite "hot", but plastic doesn't really get that hot!

That leads me to believe that even just having something preventing radiating heat out the top causes it to overheat?

What is the thermal limit/requirements of a router?

 

[gsaldivar]

Excess heat increases the probability of malfunction and premature failure. There isn't really a hard limit, and if there were one - it would vary from device to device. Many devices are designed with vents to allow for passive (non fan-powered) cooling. This passive cooling can often be defeated by covering the vents, or by changing the orientation (vertical/horizontal) of the device. My rule of thumb is to avoid allowing any electronic device to become uncomfortably hot to the touch.