Skip to content
IP 19216811.blog
Troubleshooting

Why Is My WiFi So Slow? (And How to Fix It)

Slow WiFi has several common causes. Work through these steps to find and fix the bottleneck.

Updated 2026

  1. 1

    Test wired speed first

    Plug a laptop directly into the router with an Ethernet cable and run a speed test. If the wired speed matches your plan, the problem is WiFi — not your ISP.

  2. 2

    Check router placement

    Move the router to a central, open location. Walls, floors and appliances all reduce signal strength. Keep it off the floor and away from microwaves.

  3. 3

    Change the WiFi channel

    Neighbouring routers on the same channel cause interference. Log into the admin panel and switch to a less congested channel — try 1, 6, or 11 on 2.4GHz.

  4. 4

    Switch to the 5GHz band

    If your router supports dual-band, connect to the 5GHz network for faster speeds over shorter distances.

  5. 5

    Reboot the router

    A simple restart clears memory leaks and refreshes the connection. Power off for 30 seconds, then back on.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many devices is too many on one WiFi network?
Most home routers handle 20–30 devices comfortably. Beyond that, speed and latency can degrade — a mesh system or access point helps.
Why is WiFi slower at certain times of day?
Evening peak hours put more load on both your local network and your ISP's infrastructure. A congested WiFi channel from neighbours also worsens at these times.