What actually slows down your internet
Your internet speed depends on three separate things: the speed your provider sends to your house, what your equipment does with that signal, and what is using bandwidth right now. Most people can fix the second and third without calling their provider. The first — the speed you pay for — requires a plan change.
When your internet feels slow, it is usually one of these: your router is too far away or blocked by walls, too many devices are connected at once, your router needs a restart, or your modem and router are outdated. Less often, your provider is not delivering the speed you pay for. Start by checking what speed you actually get, then work through the fixes in order.
Key Takeaways
- Moving your router to a central, elevated location and away from metal objects can improve speed by 20 to 40 percent without any cost.
- Restarting your modem and router by unplugging them for 30 seconds clears temporary slowdowns that build up over days or weeks.
- Disconnecting devices you are not using frees up bandwidth for the devices that matter, especially if you have smart home devices running in the background.
- Switching to a 5 GHz network band on your router gives faster speeds over shorter distances, while 2.4 GHz reaches farther but slower.
- If your modem or router is more than five years old, replacing it often costs less than upgrading your plan and delivers real speed gains.
Move your router to the center of your home
Router placement matters more than most people realize. A router in a back bedroom or closet has to send its signal through walls, floors, and metal objects — all of which weaken it. The farther you are from the router, the slower your connection becomes, even if your provider is sending full speed to your house.
Place your router in a central location, elevated off the floor — on a shelf or wall mount, not on the ground. Keep it away from metal filing cabinets, microwaves, and cordless phones, which interfere with the signal. If you have a two-story home, put it on the first floor roughly in the middle. This single change often improves speed noticeably in rooms that were slow before.
If you cannot move your router for practical reasons, a mesh system (two or more connected units) covers your home more evenly than a single router. Mesh systems cost more upfront but solve the problem of dead zones where signal does not reach.
Restart your modem and router
Modems and routers accumulate temporary data and settings over time that can slow them down. A restart clears this buildup and often restores speed to normal. This takes five minutes and costs nothing.
Unplug your modem (the device your provider gave you that connects to the wall outlet) and wait 30 seconds. Plug it back in and wait for all the lights to stop blinking and settle into a steady pattern — usually two to three minutes. Then unplug your router, wait 30 seconds, and plug it back in. Wait another two to three minutes for it to fully restart. Do not restart them at the same time; restart the modem first, then the router.
After both devices have restarted completely, test your speed again. Many people find their speed returns to normal after this step alone. If it does not, move to the next fix.
Disconnect devices you are not actively using
Every device connected to your network — phones, tablets, smart speakers, security cameras, thermostats, doorbells — uses a share of your bandwidth. If you have ten devices connected and only use two of them, the other eight are still taking bandwidth for updates, cloud backups, and background tasks.
Open your router settings (usually by typing your router's IP address into a web browser — check your router's label for the exact address) and look at the list of connected devices. Disconnect or remove devices you do not need right now. Smart home devices like cameras and thermostats can stay connected, but disconnect phones and tablets you are not using. If you have guests on your network, ask them to disconnect when they leave.
This is especially important if you have many smart home devices. A single security camera, smart speaker, and thermostat can use noticeable bandwidth if they are all updating or syncing at the same time. Disconnecting unused devices frees that bandwidth for the devices you are actually using.
Switch to the 5 GHz network band
Most modern routers broadcast two network bands: 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz. The 2.4 GHz band reaches farther through walls but is slower. The 5 GHz band is much faster but does not travel as far and is blocked more easily by walls and metal. If you are close to your router, switching to 5 GHz can double your speed.
Look at the list of available networks on your device (phone, laptop, or tablet). You should see two network names from your router — one ending in "5G" or labeled "5 GHz", and one without that label. Connect to the 5 GHz network instead. Your speed should improve noticeably if you are in the same room or nearby. If you move far from the router, the signal may drop and you will need to switch back to 2.4 GHz.
If you do not see a 5 GHz network listed, your router may be older and only broadcasts 2.4 GHz. In that case, upgrading your router will give you access to the faster band.
Replace an old modem or router
Modems and routers have a useful life of about five years. After that, they become slower, less reliable, and unable to handle modern devices and speeds. If your modem or router is older than five years, replacing it often improves speed more than any other single fix.
Check the label on your modem and router to find the model number and manufacturing date. If both are less than five years old, they are probably fine. If either is older, replacement is worth considering. A new modem costs $60 to $150, and a new router costs $80 to $300 depending on the model. Many providers will replace your modem for free or a small fee if it is their equipment.
When you buy a new router, look for one that supports Wi-Fi 6 (also called 802.11ax) if your budget allows. Wi-Fi 6 routers are faster and handle many connected devices better than older models. If Wi-Fi 6 is too expensive, a Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) router is still a solid upgrade from older equipment.
Check if your provider is delivering the speed you pay for
After you have tried the fixes above, run a speed test to see if you are getting the speed your plan promises. Use a free tool like Speedtest.net or Fast.com. Run the test on a device close to your router, using the 5 GHz band if available. Write down the read and upload speeds.
Compare these numbers to the speed your provider promises. You should get at least 80 percent of the advertised speed — so if you pay for 100 Mbps, you should see at least 80 Mbps. If you are getting significantly less, contact your provider and tell them your speed test results. They can check the signal coming into your house and may send a technician if something is wrong on their end.
If your speed is consistently lower than what you pay for and your provider cannot fix it, upgrading to a faster plan may be your only option. Some areas have only one provider, so you may not have a choice. Other areas have multiple providers — check what is available at your address before you decide to upgrade.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much faster will my internet be if I move my router?
Moving your router to a central location typically improves speed by 20 to 40 percent in rooms that were slow before. The exact improvement depends on how far you were from the old location and how many walls were in the way. Rooms close to the router may see little change.
Will restarting my modem and router fix slow internet permanently?
A restart usually fixes slowness that has built up over days or weeks, but the problem often returns after a few weeks or months. Restart your modem and router every month or two to keep speed stable. If slowness returns within a few days, the problem is likely something else.
Can I use both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz at the same time?
Yes. Most modern routers broadcast both bands simultaneously, and your devices choose which one to connect to. You can connect some devices to 5 GHz (for speed) and others to 2.4 GHz (for range) at the same time. Some routers let you name them differently so you can see which band you are on.
What should I do if I still have slow internet after trying all these fixes?
Run a speed test and compare it to your plan. If you are getting the speed you pay for, the slowness may be from a specific app or website, not your internet connection. If you are getting less speed than promised, contact your provider with your test results and ask them to check the signal to your house.
Is it worth buying a mesh system if I have a small apartment?
Probably not. Mesh systems work best in larger homes where a single router cannot reach all rooms. In a small apartment, moving your router to a central location usually solves coverage problems. A mesh system makes sense only if you have dead zones after trying router placement and you cannot move the router.