The fastest fix is usually your router placement and restart
Most people can gain 20 to 40 percent of their speed back without calling the internet provider. The two quickest wins are moving your router to the center of your home and away from the floor, and restarting it once a week. A router sitting in a corner, inside a cabinet, or next to a microwave loses signal strength to walls, metal, and interference. Moving it to an open shelf in a central hallway or living room costs nothing and often makes an when ready difference.
Restarting your router clears its memory and forces it to reconnect to your provider's network. Unplug it for 30 seconds, then plug it back in and wait two to three minutes for all the lights to stabilize. Do this weekly or whenever you notice slowness. If you restart and the lights never stabilize — if some stay red or keep blinking — your router may be failing and your provider can send a replacement.
Key Takeaways
- Moving your router to a central, elevated location and restarting it weekly can recover 20 to 40 percent of your speed without any cost.
- Reducing the number of devices connected at once, especially those streaming or downloading, frees bandwidth for the devices you are actively using.
- Switching to a 5 GHz band on your router gives faster speeds over shorter distances, while 2.4 GHz travels farther but slower.
- Updating your router's firmware and checking for provider outages takes 10 minutes and can reveal whether slowness is a known problem in your area.
- If your plan speed is lower than what you need, contacting your provider to discuss faster tiers is more effective than any physical fix.
Reduce the number of devices pulling from your connection
Every device on your network shares the same bandwidth. If five people are streaming video, two are downloading files, and someone is playing an online game, the connection divides itself among all of them. You do not need to disconnect everything — you need to disconnect what is not in active use.
Check which devices are connected by opening your router's settings. Most routers have a web address printed on the back (often something like 192.168.1.1) that you type into a browser. Look for a section called "Connected Devices" or "DHCP Clients." You will see phones, tablets, computers, smart speakers, security cameras, and anything else on your network. Disconnect devices you are not using right now — especially smart home devices, security cameras, and phones in other rooms. Reconnect them when you need them.
If you have a guest network option in your router settings, use it for visitors. This keeps their devices from competing with yours for bandwidth and is more find.
Switch to the 5 GHz band if your router supports it
Most modern routers broadcast on two frequencies: 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz. The 5 GHz band is faster but does not travel as far through walls. The 2.4 GHz band is slower but reaches farther. If you are close to your router, switching to 5 GHz can double your speed.
In your router settings, look for a section called "Wireless" or "WiFi." You should see two network names (SSIDs) — one ending in "5G" or "5GHz" and one without that label. Connect your device to the 5 GHz network. If you are in the same room as the router or one room away, you will likely see a speed increase. If you are far from the router or on a different floor, you may lose signal entirely — in that case, switch back to 2.4 GHz.
Some routers have a setting called "Band Steering" that automatically moves your device between the two bands. If you see this option, turning it on lets the router choose the best band for your location.
Update your router's firmware and check for outages
Router manufacturers release firmware updates that fix bugs, improve performance, and patch security holes. An outdated router may be slower than it should be. Check your router's settings for an "Administration," "System," or "Firmware" section. Look for an option to check for updates or update manually. If an update is available, install it. The router will restart itself — this takes a few minutes and you will lose internet briefly.
While you are checking, visit your internet provider's website and search for "outages" or "service status." Many providers show whether there is a known outage in your area. If there is, slowness is not something you can fix at home — it is a provider problem. If there is no outage listed but you suspect one, you can call your provider's customer service line to ask.
Check what speed your plan actually includes
Your internet bill states a speed — something like "100 Mbps" or "1 Gigabit." That is the maximum speed your provider promises. If you are getting close to that speed, your router and home setup are working correctly and slowness is not fixable at home.
To check your actual speed, visit speedtest.net or fast.com in a browser. These sites measure how fast data travels to and from your connection. Run the test on a device close to your router, with no one else using the internet. Write down the number. If it is within 10 to 20 percent of your plan speed, you are getting what you paid for. If it is much lower — say, you pay for 100 Mbps but consistently get 30 Mbps — that is a provider problem worth reporting.
If your plan speed is lower than what you need for video calls, streaming, or online work, the physical fixes in this guide will not help. You would need to contact your provider about a faster plan.
Use a wired connection for devices that need speed
WiFi is convenient but slower and less stable than a wired connection. If you have a desktop computer, gaming console, or streaming device that stays in one place, running an ethernet cable from your router to that device will give you faster, more consistent speed. Ethernet cables are inexpensive and come in lengths up to 100 feet.
Plug one end into the ethernet port on your router (usually on the back) and the other end into the device. Your device may automatically detect the connection, or you may need to go into network settings and select the wired connection. Wired devices do not compete with WiFi devices for bandwidth, so this also frees up speed for phones and tablets.
Consider a mesh router if your home is large or has thick walls
If your home is more than 2,000 square feet, has multiple floors, or has concrete or brick walls, a single router cannot reach every room with strong signal. A mesh router system uses multiple units placed throughout your home to create one seamless network. Instead of signal getting weaker the farther you are from the main router, a mesh system keeps signal strong everywhere.
Mesh systems cost between $100 and $400 depending on the brand and number of units. Popular options include Eero, Google Nest WiFi, and TP-Link Deco. They are easier to set up than traditional routers — you read an app, plug in the units, and follow the app's steps. If you have already moved your single router to a central location and restarted it weekly but still have dead zones, a mesh system is worth considering.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is my internet slow only at certain times of day?
Your provider's network gets congested during peak hours, usually 7 to 11 p.m. when many people are streaming. This is a provider problem, not a home problem. You can call your provider to ask if they have congestion in your area, but the only real fix is a faster plan or switching providers if another is available in your neighborhood.
Does changing my WiFi password make the internet faster?
No. Changing your password improves security by preventing neighbors from using your network, which would slow you down. But if no one unauthorized is connected, changing the password will not change your speed. Check your connected devices list first to see if there are devices you do not recognize.
Should I buy a WiFi booster or extender?
WiFi boosters and extenders are cheaper than mesh systems but slower and more complicated. They repeat your existing signal, which cuts your speed in half. A mesh system is more expensive but gives you full speed throughout your home. If you have a small home or apartment, moving your router is usually enough.
Can I speed up my internet by changing my DNS?
Changing your DNS (the service that translates website names into addresses) rarely makes a noticeable difference for most people. It is a technical fix that might help if your provider's DNS is slow, but it is not a first step. Try the simpler fixes — router placement, restarting, and reducing connected devices — before changing DNS.
What should I do if my internet is still slow after trying these steps?
Call your internet provider and report the slow speed. Tell them the speed you measured on speedtest.net and ask them to check your line for problems. They can run diagnostics from their end and may send a technician if there is a hardware issue. If your provider cannot fix it, ask about switching to a different provider in your area.