In this article5 sections
Video calls freeze in the spare room. Films buffer upstairs. The speed test on your phone shows a fraction of what you pay for. Before you ring your provider or buy new equipment, it helps to know where the slowdown is actually happening.
First, is it the Wi-Fi or the internet?
Two different things can be slow:
- Your internet connection, which brings data into your home through a cable, fibre or phone line.
- Your Wi-Fi, the radio signal that carries that data from the router to your devices.
To find out which, run a speed test (search for “broadband speed test”) in two places: right next to the router, ideally on a computer plugged in with a cable, and then where the problem is. If the speed is low even next to the router, the problem is probably your connection or the router itself, and it’s worth contacting your provider. If it’s fine by the router but poor elsewhere, the problem is your Wi-Fi, and the fixes below should help.
How Wi-Fi works
Your router turns your internet connection into radio waves and sends them out in all directions. Your phone, laptop and TV pick them up and send replies back.
Like any radio signal, Wi-Fi gets weaker as it travels and when it passes through things. Some materials block it much more than others:
- Thick walls, especially brick, stone and concrete
- Metal, including radiators, fridges, foil-backed insulation and metal cabinets
- Mirrors, which have a thin metal backing
- Water, such as fish tanks, and even people in a crowded room
- Floors and ceilings, which is why upstairs rooms often struggle
2.4 GHz, 5 GHz and 6 GHz
Most routers broadcast on more than one frequency band:
| Band | Range | Speed | Crowding |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.4 GHz | Longest | Slowest | Very crowded |
| 5 GHz | Medium | Fast | Less crowded |
| 6 GHz (Wi-Fi 6E and Wi-Fi 7) | Shortest | Fastest | Least crowded |
The 2.4 GHz band passes through walls better, but it is shared with Bluetooth devices, baby monitors, older cordless phones and microwave ovens. A microwave works at about 2.45 GHz, which is why using one can disrupt nearby 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi while it runs. The 2.4 GHz band also has room for only three channels that don’t overlap, so in a block of flats, dozens of routers end up competing for the same space.
Most modern routers combine the bands under one network name and move your devices between them automatically. If yours shows two separate networks, connect devices near the router to the 5 GHz one.
Moving the router to a central, open spot is the biggest free fix for most homes.
Simple fixes that make a real difference
- Move the router. Put it somewhere central, raised off the floor, and in the open. Not in a cupboard, behind the TV, or on a windowsill at one end of the house.
- Keep it away from interference: microwaves, cordless phone bases, baby monitors, big metal objects and fish tanks.
- Restart it occasionally. Switch it off, wait about 30 seconds, and switch it on again. This clears temporary faults.
- Keep it up to date. Routers get software updates that fix bugs and security problems. Many update themselves; check the router’s app or settings.
- Cut down on background traffic. Large downloads, cloud photo backups and several 4K streams at once all share the same connection.
- Use a cable where you can. For a desktop computer, games console or smart TV that doesn’t move, an Ethernet cable gives a faster, steadier connection and frees up Wi-Fi for everything else.
- Secure your network. Use WPA2 or WPA3 security and a strong password, so neighbours can’t use your connection without asking.
When it’s time for new equipment
An old router can hold you back. Wi-Fi standards have improved a lot: Wi-Fi 5 arrived in 2013, Wi-Fi 6 in 2019 and Wi-Fi 7 in 2024. If your router is more than five or six years old, especially one supplied by your provider, ask whether a newer model is available, as many providers will upgrade it.
For larger homes, try a mesh system. A mesh system uses two or more units placed around the home that work together as one network, passing your devices from one to the next as you move. It usually works better than a basic Wi-Fi extender, which repeats the router’s signal and can cut the speed it passes on.
Powerline adapters are another option. They carry the internet connection through your home’s electrical wiring to a room far from the router. Results vary from home to home, depending on the wiring.
Frequently asked questions
Why is my Wi-Fi slower in the evening?
Two reasons. More people in your home are online at once, and more people in your neighbourhood are too, so both your Wi-Fi channels and your provider’s network are busier. If speeds drop sharply every evening even next to the router, tell your provider.
Does the number of bars on my phone show my Wi-Fi speed?
Not exactly. Bars show signal strength, not speed. You can have full bars and still get slow speeds if the network is congested or your internet connection is slow. A speed test gives a better picture.
Should I turn my router off at night?
There’s no need. Routers use little power, and some carry out updates overnight. If you want to limit screen time, many routers let you pause Wi-Fi for particular devices on a schedule instead.