Slow Wi-Fi? We Find the Real Cause
Paying for fast internet but getting slow Wi-Fi? It's either the plan, the router, the signal, or the device. We test each and fix the one that's actually wrong.
Free diagnosis · Home visits from $40 · Hardware only if you need it
Slow Wi-Fi is the most common home network complaint, and it's often blamed on the wrong thing. People upgrade their internet plan when the router is the bottleneck, or buy a new router when one old laptop is the problem.
The quickest way to find out: run a speed test on a computer plugged into the router with a cable, then on Wi-Fi standing next to the router, then in the room where it's slow. Those three numbers tell you whether it's the internet, the router, or the signal.
Why Is My Wi-Fi So Slow?
What those three speed tests usually reveal.
Slow even with a cable
The internet itself is slow: the plan, the modem or the provider's line. Restart the modem, then call your provider with the numbers. We can help you read them.
Fast with a cable, slow on Wi-Fi
The router is the bottleneck: an older Wi-Fi standard, poor placement in a cabinet or basement, or a crowded channel.
Fast near the router, slow far away
Signal and coverage: walls, floors and distance. Better placement, a mesh system or a wired access point fixes it.
One device slow, others fine
That device: an older Wi-Fi card, outdated drivers, or background updates and cloud backups eating the connection.
Slow in the evenings
Neighbouring networks and everyone streaming at once. Moving to a cleaner channel or the 5 GHz band helps most.
Slower since adding an extender
Many plug-in extenders halve the speed for devices connected through them. Mesh or a wired connection avoids that.
How to Fix Slow Wi-Fi Yourself
Restart the modem and router. Move the router out of cabinets, corners and basements into a central, open spot, ideally up high. Connect devices that support it to the 5 GHz band, and plug in anything that sits still, like a TV or desktop, with a cable.
Check that the router's firmware is up to date and that nothing is uploading large files or cloud backups in the background. If the router is more than five or six years old, it may simply not be able to deliver the speed you're paying for.
From First Message to Fixed
Step 1: Send us your speed tests
Wired, next to the router, and in the slow room, plus your plan speed and provider.
Step 2: We pinpoint the bottleneck
Plan, router, signal or device, measured rather than guessed.
Step 3: Fixed, then re-tested
Settings, placement or equipment sorted, with before-and-after speed tests in the rooms you use.
What It Costs
| Diagnosis and speed analysis | Free |
| Home Wi-Fi troubleshooting visit | From $40 |
| Remote fix on one computer | $25 |
| Mesh Wi-Fi setup | From $40 |
If new equipment would help, we recommend it and you buy it directly, with no markup from us. See full pricing.
Slow Wi-Fi FAQs
Why is my Wi-Fi so slow?
It's one of four things: the internet plan or line, the router, the signal where you are, or the device you're using. A speed test with a cable, then next to the router, then in the slow room, shows which one.
Why is my Wi-Fi slow on my laptop but fast on my phone?
The laptop is usually the bottleneck: an older Wi-Fi card, an outdated driver, a power-saving setting, or something downloading in the background. A newer Wi-Fi card is often an inexpensive fix.
Why is my internet slower than what I pay for?
Plan speeds are measured to the modem with a cable. Wi-Fi always delivers less, and an older router or weak signal can cut it sharply. If even a wired test is slow, your provider needs to check the line.
Will a new router make my Wi-Fi faster?
If your router is more than five or six years old or is the bottleneck in testing, yes. If the slow speed is the plan or one old device, a new router won't help, and we'll tell you before you buy one.
Why is my Wi-Fi slow in one room?
Distance and what's in the way: floors, brick, concrete, mirrors and appliances all weaken the signal. A mesh node or wired access point near that room is the reliable fix.
Get the Speed You Pay For
Send us your speed tests and your plan speed. We'll tell you what's holding it back.