Updated November 11, 2026
Before changing anything, run a Wi-Fi speed test next to your router and in the room where things are slow. Write the numbers down so you can see which fixes help.
Fixes that take five minutes
- Restart the router and modem. Unplug both for 30 seconds. It clears memory leaks and can move you to a less congested channel.
- Move the router. Place it high, central and in the open — not in a cupboard, behind the TV or on the floor. Signal spreads outward and slightly downward.
- Use the 5 GHz network. If your router shows two names (often ending in 5G), connect to 5 GHz when you are within a room or two. It is several times faster than 2.4 GHz.
- Keep it away from interference. Microwaves, cordless phones, baby monitors, Bluetooth speakers, mirrors, fish tanks and metal cabinets all weaken Wi-Fi.
- Disconnect what you don’t use. Old phones, smart plugs and TVs all share airtime.
- Pause background downloads. Game updates, cloud photo backup and system updates quietly use most of your bandwidth.
Router settings worth changing
- Update the router firmware from its admin page or app. Updates often improve speed and security.
- Pick a less crowded channel. On 2.4 GHz use channel 1, 6 or 11. On 5 GHz, let the router choose automatically, or pick a channel your neighbours don’t use.
- Use 80 MHz channel width on 5 GHz (or 160 MHz on Wi-Fi 6 if the area is quiet). Wider channels carry more data.
- Use WPA2 or WPA3 security. Old WEP/TKIP modes limit speed to 54 Mbps on many routers.
- Turn on Smart Queue / SQM / QoS if your router has it. It keeps ping low when someone is downloading — check your bufferbloat grade in the speed test before and after.
Bigger upgrades
- Use a cable for fixed devices. TVs, consoles and desktops get full speed and free up Wi-Fi airtime for phones.
- Add mesh Wi-Fi in large or multi-storey homes. Mesh units work together as one network, unlike cheap range extenders that often halve speed.
- Replace an old router. A router that is more than five years old (Wi-Fi 4 or early Wi-Fi 5) can’t keep up with modern plans.
- Check your device. If one phone is slow and others are fine, the phone’s Wi-Fi chip, a full case or a power-saving mode may be the cause.
When it isn’t your Wi-Fi
If a computer plugged into the router with a cable is also slow, the problem is your internet connection, not the Wi-Fi. Test at several times of day, export your results, and contact your provider with the evidence.
Frequently asked questions
Does restarting the router really help?
Often, yes. Routers are small computers that can slow down after weeks of running. A restart also lets them pick a fresh, less crowded channel.
Are Wi-Fi extenders worth it?
Basic extenders often halve the speed because they receive and resend on the same channel. Mesh systems, or extenders connected back to the router with a cable, perform much better.
Why is Wi-Fi slow only at night?
In the evening more people in your building and area are online, so both Wi-Fi channels and your provider’s network are busier. Testing at different times shows which one is to blame.