Broadband & Wi-Fi · 6 min
Why Your Wi-Fi Is Slow (and 6 Things That Actually Fix It)
If a speed test is fast over an Ethernet cable but slow on Wi-Fi, your broadband is fine — the Wi-Fi in your home is the bottleneck. Work through these in order.
1. Move the router
Raised, central, in the open. Keep it away from thick walls, mirrors, fish tanks, microwaves and metal.
2. Use the 5 GHz band
Most routers broadcast 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz. 5 GHz is much faster at short range; 2.4 GHz reaches further but is slower and busier. Put nearby devices on 5 GHz.
3. Let it pick a quieter channel
Neighbouring networks compete with yours. Restarting the router usually makes it choose a less crowded channel; many routers also have an 'auto' channel setting.
4. Update your devices
Old phones, laptops and smart TVs often have weak Wi-Fi. Install updates and, if a device is very old, test with a newer one to compare.
5. Add mesh for bigger homes
Large homes, extensions and thick stone walls often need more than one access point. A mesh Wi-Fi system spreads coverage evenly. Avoid cheap plug-in extenders where possible — they often halve speed.
6. Plug in the big stuff
Smart TVs, games consoles and desktop PCs are best on an Ethernet cable. It frees up Wi-Fi for phones and laptops.