How to Fix Slow Wi-Fi

Step 1: Switch to 5 GHz

If your router broadcasts separate 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz networks, connect your device to the 5 GHz network. The 5 GHz band has less interference and higher throughput. If you cannot connect to 5 GHz from your current location, the signal is too weak — move closer to the router or consider a Wi-Fi extender.

Step 2: Change the Wi-Fi channel

On 2.4 GHz, channels 1, 6, and 11 are the only non-overlapping options. Use a Wi-Fi analyser app (Android: 'WiFi Analyzer'; macOS: Wireless Diagnostics) to see which channels neighbours are using, then switch your router to the least congested one. On 5 GHz, channel congestion is less of an issue — leave it on Auto.

Step 3: Move the router

Place the router centrally in the home, elevated (not on the floor or inside a cabinet), away from microwaves, baby monitors, and cordless phones. Every wall reduces 5 GHz signal strength by 30–40%; concrete and brick walls by 50–60%. A router in a corner of the house cannot serve the other corner reliably.

Step 4: Check for interference

Microwaves, baby monitors, and some cordless phones operate on 2.4 GHz and will disrupt Wi-Fi during use. Bluetooth devices cause minor 2.4 GHz interference at short range. The fix: switch affected devices to 5 GHz (if supported) or remove the interference source.

Step 5: Restart the router

Routers accumulate state over time — connection tables, DHCP leases, and memory usage grow until performance degrades. A weekly restart is good practice. If speeds immediately improve after a restart but degrade again within days, the router is underpowered for the connection load.

Step 6: Upgrade or extend

If your router is more than 5 years old, its Wi-Fi radio is likely Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n), capped at 150–300 Mbps. A Wi-Fi 6 router delivers 2–4× the throughput in the same space. For homes with dead spots, a mesh Wi-Fi system (Eero, Google Nest, TP-Link Deco) extends coverage without the signal degradation of a Wi-Fi repeater.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is Wi-Fi slow in one room but fast in another?

Building materials block Wi-Fi signals — particularly 5 GHz. Concrete, brick, and metal studs are the worst offenders. The affected room either needs a Wi-Fi extender, a powerline adapter, or a mesh node placed between the router and the room.

Why is my Wi-Fi fast on my phone but slow on my laptop?

Older laptops often have Wi-Fi 4 or early Wi-Fi 5 adapters that cap at 150–300 Mbps regardless of the router. Check your laptop's network adapter specs in Device Manager (Windows) or System Information (macOS). A USB Wi-Fi 6 adapter can upgrade an older laptop.

Does having many devices slow down Wi-Fi?

Yes. Each connected device consumes router CPU, memory, and airtime. Wi-Fi is a shared medium — when 10+ devices are connected, the router must schedule airtime between them. Wi-Fi 6 handles dense device environments significantly better than Wi-Fi 5 or 4 due to OFDMA scheduling.