Slow internet disrupts everything from streaming and gaming to work and video calls. The good news is that most slow internet problems can be fixed with simple solutions that don't require technical expertise or expensive equipment. This guide provides 15 proven fixes ranked by difficulty and effectiveness.
Why it works: Routers accumulate memory clutter and temporary issues that slow performance. Rebooting clears these problems and refreshes connections.
How to do it: Unplug your modem and router from power. Wait 30 seconds. Plug the modem back in first, wait for it to fully boot (all lights stable), then plug in your router. Wait 2-3 minutes for everything to reconnect. Test your speed.
Expected improvement: Often resolves sudden slowdowns and can restore 20-50% of lost speed.
Why it works: Wired connections eliminate wireless interference, signal degradation, and bandwidth sharing issues. Ethernet provides maximum speed and stability.
How to do it: Connect an ethernet cable from your router to your device. On most devices, ethernet automatically takes priority over WiFi. Disable WiFi for guaranteed wired connection.
Expected improvement: 2-3x faster than WiFi, especially at distance from router. Eliminates ping spikes and jitter.
Why it works: WiFi signal weakens with distance. Walls, floors, and obstacles further degrade signal strength and speed.
How to do it: Position yourself in the same room as your router with direct line of sight. If speeds improve dramatically, signal strength is your problem. Consider relocating your router to a more central location.
Expected improvement: Can double or triple WiFi speeds if you were previously far from the router.
Why it works: Every connected device shares your available bandwidth. Devices running background updates, streaming, or syncing consume speed even when you're not actively using them.
How to do it: Turn off WiFi on smartphones, tablets, and laptops you're not using. Disconnect smart TVs, gaming consoles, and IoT devices. Log into your router admin panel to see all connected devices and remove unknown ones.
Expected improvement: Recovers 10-30% of bandwidth depending on how many devices were connected.
Why it works: Software updates, cloud backups, file syncing, and automatic downloads consume bandwidth without your knowledge.
How to do it: Open Task Manager (Windows: Ctrl+Shift+Esc) or Activity Monitor (Mac: Cmd+Space, type "Activity Monitor"). Sort by network usage. Close applications using significant bandwidth. Pause cloud services like Dropbox, Google Drive, OneDrive, and iCloud.
Expected improvement: Can recover 50%+ of your bandwidth if large downloads or updates were running.
Why it works: 5GHz WiFi is faster and less congested than 2.4GHz. The 2.4GHz band is crowded with neighboring networks and interference from microwaves and Bluetooth devices.
How to do it: In your device's WiFi settings, look for your network name with "-5G" or "5GHz" suffix. Connect to it instead of the 2.4GHz network. Note that 5GHz has shorter range, so stay closer to your router.
Expected improvement: 2-3x faster speeds at close range, especially in apartment buildings.
Why it works: Multiple routers on the same channel interfere with each other. Switching to a less crowded channel reduces interference and improves speed.
How to do it: Log into your router admin panel (usually 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1). Find wireless settings. For 2.4GHz, use channels 1, 6, or 11 (they don't overlap). For 5GHz, try channels 36, 40, 44, or 48. Use WiFi analyzer apps to see which channels are least crowded in your area.
Expected improvement: 20-40% speed increase in congested areas like apartments.
Why it works: Router placement dramatically affects WiFi coverage and speed. Central, elevated positions provide best signal throughout your home.
How to do it: Place your router in a central location, elevated (on a shelf or mounted high), away from walls and metal objects. Avoid placing routers in closets, behind TVs, or near microwaves. Keep router away from aquariums and mirrors which reflect signals.
Expected improvement: 30-50% better coverage and speed in previously weak areas.
Why it works: Firmware updates fix bugs, improve performance, and add security patches. Outdated firmware can cause slowdowns and stability issues.
How to do it: Log into router admin panel. Look for "Firmware Update," "Router Update," or similar in settings. Click "Check for Updates" and install if available. Some routers update automatically—check if auto-update is enabled.
Expected improvement: Varies, but can resolve specific slowdown issues and improve stability.
Why it works: QoS prioritizes important traffic (gaming, video calls) over less time-sensitive activities (downloads, backups), ensuring smooth performance for critical applications.
How to do it: Log into router admin panel. Find QoS settings (may be under Advanced). Enable QoS and prioritize devices or applications you want fast speeds for. Set gaming consoles, work computers, or specific apps as high priority.
Expected improvement: Dramatically reduces lag and buffering during heavy network use.
Why it works: Old routers can't handle modern speeds or multiple devices. WiFi 6 routers provide better performance, range, and device capacity.
How to do it: If your router is over 5 years old, consider upgrading to a WiFi 6 (802.11ax) router. Look for models with at least AC1900 speeds or WiFi 6 designation. Quality routers cost $100-200. Install new router, configure WiFi network, connect devices.
Expected improvement: Can double or triple WiFi speeds and eliminate dead zones.
Why it works: Mesh systems eliminate dead zones in large homes by creating multiple access points that work together seamlessly.
How to do it: Purchase a mesh WiFi system (Google WiFi, Eero, Netgear Orbi). Replace your existing router or use mesh in access point mode. Place mesh nodes throughout your home for full coverage.
Expected improvement: Consistent high speeds throughout large homes, no dead zones.
Why it works: Malware can consume bandwidth by downloading files, mining cryptocurrency, or sending data to remote servers.
How to do it: Run full system scan with reputable antivirus (Windows Defender, Malwarebytes, Bitdefender). Remove detected threats. Check browser extensions and remove suspicious ones. Reset browser if needed.
Expected improvement: Dramatic if malware was present—can restore full speeds.
Why it works: Damaged, loose, or low-quality cables cause connection problems and speed loss.
How to do it: Inspect all ethernet and coaxial cables for damage. Ensure connections are tight. For ethernet, use Cat5e or better (Cat6, Cat7). Replace damaged or very old cables. For long runs, use higher quality cables.
Expected improvement: Eliminates intermittent slowdowns and can restore full wired speeds.
Why it works: If your household's needs exceed your plan's capabilities, you're simply out of bandwidth. More devices and higher usage require faster plans.
How to do it: Calculate your household's needs. Test current speeds to see if you're getting what you pay for. If speeds are good but still not enough, contact your ISP about upgrade options. Compare plans from multiple providers.
Expected improvement: Proportional to plan upgrade—doubling plan speed doubles available bandwidth.
Follow this systematic approach to fix your slow internet:
Pro tip: Address multiple small issues rather than seeking one magic fix. Combining several optimizations often provides better results than any single change.
Use ethernet if: You need maximum speed and have a desktop computer or stationary device. Gaming, video editing, and large downloads benefit most.
Restart router if: Speeds suddenly dropped, you haven't rebooted in months, or you experience frequent disconnections.
Switch to 5GHz if: You live in an apartment building with many WiFi networks, stay close to your router, and have a 5GHz-capable router.
Upgrade router if: Your router is over 5 years old, you have many devices, or WiFi is slow even close to the router.
Change WiFi channel if: You live in a dense area with many networks and experience slow speeds during specific times.
Upgrade plan if: You consistently max out your bandwidth, have multiple heavy users, or current plan is under 100 Mbps for 3+ people.
Avoid wasting time on ineffective "fixes" that don't actually improve speed:
Maintain good speeds with ongoing practices:
Remember: Fix the simplest problems first. Many slow internet issues resolve with basic solutions like restarting equipment or disconnecting unused devices.
Contact your internet service provider if:
When calling, have your speed test results ready with specific numbers, dates, and times. Explain what troubleshooting you've already completed. This gets you past basic support and to actual problem resolution faster.
Most slow internet problems have straightforward fixes that you can implement yourself. Start with quick solutions, test your speed after each change, and systematically work through options until you achieve the performance you need.