Why is my internet slow?
Slow internet has three possible sources: the line coming into your home, the Wi-Fi inside it, or the device in your hand. A two-minute test tells you which.
- Test with a cable plugged into the router first.
- If the wired test is fast, the problem is Wi-Fi.
- If the wired test is slow, restart the equipment, then call the provider.
Step 1: Run a wired test
Connect a computer to the router with an Ethernet cable and run a speed test. Compare the result with the speed on your bill.
- Wired is close to your plan speed: the line is fine. Go to the Wi-Fi fixes.
- Wired is far below your plan speed: go to the line fixes.
Wi-Fi fixes
- Move the router. Central, high and in the open. Out of closets and away from the TV and microwave.
- Use the right band. 5 GHz is faster at short range. 2.4 GHz reaches farther but is slower.
- Restart the router. Unplug it for 30 seconds.
- Check the router's age. A router more than five or six years old may not keep up with a fast plan.
- Add a mesh system if far rooms are weak. Extenders help less than a proper mesh.
- Look for a bandwidth hog. A console downloading a game or a computer backing up to the cloud can slow everyone.
Line fixes
- Restart the modem, then the router, in that order.
- Check cables. A loose or damaged coax or phone cable causes dropouts.
- Check your data usage. Some plans slow down after you pass a monthly allowance.
- Note the time. If it is slow every evening, the network is congested. Report it.
- Call the provider. Ask them to test the line and check signal levels. A technician visit is often free if the fault is outside your home.
When to change plans or providers
If the line tests at full speed and your household still runs out, you need a faster tier. If the line regularly falls well short of what you pay for and the provider cannot fix it, check what else reaches your address.
Common questions
Why is my Wi-Fi slow but my internet is fast?
The signal between router and device is weak or crowded. Router placement and a mesh system are the usual fixes.
Does restarting the router really help?
Yes. It clears memory and reconnects on a cleaner channel. It will not fix a weak line.
How do I know if my provider is slowing me down?
Check whether you have passed a data allowance, and compare a wired speed test at different times of day.