Is there anything more frustrating than slow WiFi? Well… probably. But your connection dropping to a crawl definitely has to be up there.
There are a lot of reasons why your WiFi might slow down – including some that you might not expect – but don’t worry. We’ll run you through the most common causes and, most importantly, how to fix them.
Common causes of slow WiFi – and their fixes
There’s a wide range of reasons why your WiFi could get bogged down. These are the most likely offenders. The usual suspects. The ol’ rogue’s gallery.
1. Too many connected devices
Why it happens – Imagine your router is a sort of data highway. While your download and upload speeds dictate how fast data traffic can travel down this road, think of your router’s bandwidth as the number of lanes available.
A single-lane road can accommodate much less simultaneous traffic than a four-lane highway, for example.
When your WiFi slows down, it’s often because those lanes – the bandwidth – have become congested. Or, put simply, there are just too many devices pulling too much data at the same time.
How to fix it – An easy fix is to simply disconnect any devices you aren’t using. You can find a list of connected devices by logging into your router’s web interface (check your router documentation for instructions specific to your model).
Have a look through the list and make sure to disconnect anything that doesn’t need to be there. It’s also worth checking for any devices that aren’t yours – if someone else is leaching your bandwidth, it’s a good idea to change your WiFi password as soon as possible.
2. Router location
Why it happens – Routers are like houses – it’s all about location, location, location. Setting yours up in a bad spot could lead to slower speeds, connectivity issues and even full-on dead zones.
How to fix it – Give your router the best chance of success by placing it in an elevated, central position. Avoid putting it inside a cabinet, next to a wall or near obstructions, like pieces of heavy furniture.
It’s also important to keep your router well away from other electronic devices, such as TVs and microwaves, as these can give off electromagnetic interference. And did you know that mirrors can reflect WiFi signals? Strange but true.
If you’re still having trouble, or are limited in router placement options, it might be worth considering WiFi extenders or upgrading to a full WiFi mesh system. These handy bits of technology act as relays for your WiFi signal, picking it up from the router and seamlessly boosting it throughout your property.
3. Outdated router
Why it happens – Technology moves very quickly, and it’s easy for older devices to get left in the dust. Some of the more senior routers just aren’t able to keep up with modern speeds, or provide the necessary bandwidth.
How to fix it – It’s always a good idea to check for firmware updates, which you should be able to do through your router’s web interface. Ensuring your device is completely up-to-date may well improve its performance.
Otherwise, consider upgrading to a newer model. Modern routers are able to tap into recent technological advances like WiFi mesh systems and the much faster WiFi 6.
4. Bandwidth-hungry apps
Why it happens – Remember our highway analogy? Some applications use the data equivalent of a Fiat 500, while others are more like a honking great convoy of articulated lorries.
Activities like video calling, streaming and gaming all tend to use massive amounts of bandwidth which, especially at high-traffic times, can slow your WiFi right down.
How to fix it – If you can, try to schedule intensive usage during lower-traffic times. Of course, if you’re working from home and joining a lot of video meetings, there’s not much you can do about that.
Another option might be to take advantage of your router’s Quality of Service (QoS) settings. Using QoS you can choose which apps get priority, and your router will automatically designate a given amount of the available bandwidth to those apps.
What that means, in practice, is that you could prioritise video calling and those services would get access to all the bandwidth they might need, before any other apps get a look in.
It’s worth noting, though, that QoS only affects bandwidth, and will not increase your overall broadband speeds. For that, you’ll need to speak to your provider and upgrade to a faster subscription.
How to test your WiFi speed
It’s actually pretty easy to keep an eye on your broadband speed. There are a number of speed checkers available online – just Google ‘broadband speed test’ and you’ll be presented with a bunch of options, all of which will run you through a set of simple steps.
Your broadband provider may also have their own speed checker, probably accessible through their app. After running a speed test, you’ll be presented with an accurate representation of your current upload and download speeds.
These speeds may fluctuate throughout the day, so it’s worth checking a couple of times to get an average. Your provider may also offer minimum speed guarantees, so it’s worth checking your contract – if your speeds are consistently low, you may be eligible for some money back.
When to call your provider
Calling your provider should, ideally, be a last resort. Have a go at troubleshooting your broadband speed issues first – you might be able to resolve them yourself.
However, if your problems persist, you should absolutely call your provider and let them know. They may be able to offer assistance over the phone, or at the very least will be able to inform you of any current outages.
Of course, if you’re still unhappy, your best option might be to simply switch providers.
How to get a faster, more stable connection
Here are a few bonus tips, which might help to speed up a sluggish broadband connection. They do, however, require a bit more effort and technical knowhow.
- Use an ethernet connection for fixed devices – If you have devices that always stay in the same place, such as desktop computers or games consoles, think about hooking them directly up to the router using an ethernet connection.
Ethernet cuts out the middleman – your WiFi – providing a much more stable, potentially faster connection. Although it does mean running cables through your home, so might not be viable for everyone. - Schedule automatic router reboots – Just like your laptop, rebooting your router may free up some RAM and improve system performance. Especially if it’s been running constantly for an extended period of time.
With some routers, it’s possible to schedule automatic reboots for a time that suits you – late at night, for example. How exactly you do that varies from model to model, but it’s likely to be available through your router’s web interface. - Consider a dual-band router – If you’re able to switch to a new router – check your broadband contract before buying anything – it might be worth looking at a dual-band device.
What’s the difference? In a nutshell, standard single-band routers use one frequency to broadcast their WiFi signal, which can be prone to slowdowns and interference from other devices.
Dual-band routers, as you might expect, use two frequency bands – 2.4GHz and 5GHz – offering a wider range and more stability. Plus, many newer devices, such as the iPhone 7 and PlayStation 5, can take full advantage of the 5GHz band, freeing up bandwidth for your older devices.
