Slow internet is one of those problems that gets under your skin. You're trying to do something simple — watch a video, send a file, join a video call — and it just grinds to a halt. Before you pick up the phone to your provider or start looking for a new one, work through this checklist.
1. Restart your router
It sounds obvious because it works. Routers can develop memory issues and slow down over time, just like a computer. Turn it off, wait 30 seconds, turn it back on. Give it 2–3 minutes to fully reconnect. This fixes a surprising number of problems.
2. Check where the router is placed
Router placement makes a huge difference. Avoid:
- Inside a cupboard or under a desk
- Next to a microwave or cordless phone (they interfere with Wi-Fi signals)
- In a corner of the house, far from where you use the internet
Ideally, place the router on an open shelf, roughly in the centre of your home, at head height.
3. Use a wired connection to test
Plug a laptop or computer directly into the router with an ethernet cable, then run a speed test at fast.com. If wired speeds are fine but Wi-Fi is slow, the problem is your home Wi-Fi, not your broadband connection itself. You might need a Wi-Fi extender or mesh system.
4. Check how many devices are online
8 people streaming Netflix at once will slow anyone's connection down. Check what else is using your internet — phones, tablets, smart TVs, security cameras — and see if anything's hogging bandwidth.
5. Run a speed test at different times
If speeds are consistently slow only in the evenings, you're likely experiencing congestion on your provider's network. This is a provider problem, not your router.
When to consider switching
If you've tried all of the above and speeds are still consistently below what you're paying for, it's time to talk to your provider or look for alternatives. 5G broadband can be a genuine upgrade, particularly if fibre isn't available at your address.
Check 5G availability at your postcode — it takes 30 seconds.