Test your speed right next to the router. If it is fine there and slow in other rooms, the problem is coverage or router position. If it is slow everywhere, look at your package, the number of devices and the router itself.
When the WiFi is slow, the instinct is to blame the internet provider. Often the internet is fine and the WiFi in your home is the weak link. A few simple checks will usually tell you which.
1. Test next to the router
Run a speed test on a phone or laptop standing right next to the router, then again in the room where it feels slow. If the speed is good next to the router and poor in the far room, the problem is signal, not your internet. If it is slow even right next to the router, the problem is the connection itself, the router or the number of devices sharing it.
2. Where the router sits
WiFi signal fades with distance and with what it has to travel through. Thick walls, metal, mirrors and water tanks all weaken it. Put the router in an open, central place, off the floor, and out of cupboards. A router tucked in a corner or behind the TV covers a much smaller area than one in the middle of the home.
3. How many devices are connected
Phones, laptops, TVs, tablets, smart speakers and cameras all share the same connection. A few people streaming or downloading at the same time can leave little for everyone else. Check how many devices are connected and pause large downloads or updates while you test.
4. The package you are paying for
A package has a top speed, and everyone in the home shares it. Video calls, streaming and downloads add up. If your household has grown or works from home, the package may simply be too small now. Our WiFi packages show what is available.
5. Interference and the wrong band
Most routers offer a 2.4 GHz and a 5 GHz band. 2.4 GHz reaches further but is slower and gets crowded, and 5 GHz is faster over a shorter distance. Our guide to 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz WiFi explains which to use where.
6. An old router or old firmware
Routers age. An older router may not handle many devices, and outdated firmware can cause drops and slowdowns. Restarting the router now and then helps, and updating its firmware helps more. See why firmware updates matter.
7. One device causing trouble
Sometimes a single device is the problem: a phone stuck downloading an update, a laptop with a faulty WiFi adapter, or an old device that slows the network. If only one device is slow, look at that device first.
When to get a survey
If you have tried these and the WiFi still does not reach every room, the layout of your home probably needs a proper look. A survey checks your actual space before recommending anything, so the fix matches how you use WiFi.
Frequently asked questions
Will restarting the router help?
Often, yes, for a short time. It clears temporary faults. If the problem keeps returning, look for the cause with the checks above.
Is a WiFi extender the answer to dead zones?
It can help, but placement matters, and an extender is not always the best solution. A better router position or a different layout can sometimes fix the problem without one.
Is it my provider or my router?
Test next to the router. If it is slow there too, the connection or the router is the problem. If it is only slow further away, it is your home's WiFi coverage.
Need reliable home internet or better WiFi? We survey your space before we quote you anything.
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