Slow WiFi? 8 Fixes That Actually Work

Updated October 30, 2026 · 6 minute read

Slow Wi-Fi is usually a local problem, not a problem with your internet provider. That's good news, because local problems are the ones you can fix yourself. Start by measuring, then work down this list.

Measure first

Run our Internet Speed Test on the device that feels slow, standing in the room where it's slow. If you can, plug that device into the router with a cable and run it again. If the cable result is good and the Wi-Fi result is poor, you know the fault is in your wireless setup and you can stop blaming your provider.

Restart the router properly

Unplug it, count to thirty, and plug it back in. Switching it off and straight back on doesn't always clear it. Give it a few minutes to settle before you test again. It sounds too simple, but routers that run for months really do get sluggish.

Move the router

Wi-Fi hates walls, metal and water. A router tucked in a cupboard or behind the TV is working with one hand tied behind its back. Put it in the open, up off the floor, and as close to the middle of the home as you can.

Switch to the 5 GHz band

Most routers broadcast two networks. The 2.4 GHz one reaches further but is slower and crowded. The 5 GHz one is much faster at shorter range. If your phone or laptop is in the same room as the router, connect it to the 5 GHz network. It's often labelled with a "5G" in the name.

Cut down what's using the connection

Cloud backups, game updates, a smart TV streaming in the background. Any of them can eat the bandwidth you thought was free. Pause large downloads and test again to see how much they matter.

Check for a VPN

A VPN sends your traffic on a longer route and can cut your speed noticeably. Turn it off for one test. If speeds jump, the VPN is your bottleneck.

Try a different channel, or update the router

In apartment blocks, dozens of routers compete on the same channel. Logging in to your router's settings and changing the channel can help. While you're there, check whether the router has a firmware update. Routers more than five or six years old may also simply be too slow for what you ask of them.

When it's actually your provider

If the cable result is also slow, and it stays slow at different times of day, it's worth contacting your provider. Take a few of your results with you. Specific numbers get a quicker response than "the internet feels slow".

Run the speed test