Start with what your ISP can actually deliver

Your internet speed is limited by what your Internet Service Provider (ISP) sells you, not by what you want. If you pay for 100 Mbps but your modem and router are old, you might get 60 Mbps. If you pay for 100 Mbps and your ISP's network is congested at 7 p.m., you might get 40 Mbps. But if your ISP only offers 25 Mbps in your area, no equipment upgrade will give you 100 Mbps.

Check what speed tier you are actually paying for by logging into your ISP's account page or calling them. Then run a speed test on a device connected by ethernet cable directly to your modem — not over WiFi. If the test shows you are getting close to what you pay for, your ISP is delivering. If you are getting much less, contact your ISP to report it; they may need to check the line to your house or replace your modem.

If you are getting what you pay for but it is not fast enough for what you do, you have two paths: upgrade to a faster plan from your ISP, or switch to a different ISP if one serves your address. Use BroadbandNow.com or your ISP's coverage map to see what speeds are available at your location. Faster plans cost more, and not all areas have multiple providers, so check both before deciding.

Key Takeaways

  • Your maximum speed is set by your ISP's plan, not by your equipment — upgrading your router will not overcome a slow plan.
  • Test your speed with an ethernet cable connected directly to your modem to see what your ISP is actually delivering.
  • If you are getting significantly less than you pay for, contact your ISP to report it before buying new equipment.
  • Older modems and routers can lose 20 to 40 percent of your speed, so replacing them is worth doing before paying for a faster plan.
  • WiFi signal strength, interference from other devices, and network congestion at peak hours all reduce the speed you see on your phone or laptop.

Replace your modem if it is more than five years old

Your modem is the device that connects your home to your ISP's network. If it is old, it may not support the speeds your ISP now offers. Modems sold before 2018 often cannot handle plans faster than 100 Mbps. If your ISP upgraded their network but your modem is still from 2015, you are paying for speed you cannot receive.

Check what modem you have by looking at the label on the device itself or logging into your ISP's account. Then search the model number plus "maximum speed" to see what it supports. If it is rated for less than your plan speed, or if it is more than five years old, replacing it will likely improve your speed.

You can rent a modem from your ISP for $10 to $15 per month, or buy one outright for $60 to $150. Buying is cheaper over time if you keep it for more than a year. Make sure any modem you buy is on your ISP's approved list — your ISP's website has this list, and using an unapproved modem can cause connection problems.

Upgrade your router if it is old or too far from where you use the internet

Your router is the device that broadcasts WiFi to your phone, laptop, and other devices. An old router can lose 20 to 40 percent of the speed your modem delivers. If your router is more than five years old, or if you are sitting far from it or behind walls, replacing it will often improve the speed you see on your devices.

Router speed is measured in WiFi standard: WiFi 5 (802.11ac) and WiFi 6 (802.11ax) are current. WiFi 4 (802.11n) is from around 2009 and will slow you down. You can find your router's standard by searching its model number online. If you have WiFi 4, upgrading to WiFi 5 or WiFi 6 will help, especially if you have a fast plan.

A basic WiFi 5 router costs $50 to $100. WiFi 6 routers start around $100 and go higher. Placement matters as much as the router itself: put it in a central location, elevated off the floor, away from microwaves and cordless phones, and away from metal objects. If your home is large or has thick walls, a mesh system (multiple units that work together) may reach more rooms than a single router, but it costs $150 to $300.

Move closer to your router or use an ethernet cable

WiFi signal gets weaker the farther you are from your router, and walls, metal, and water (like aquariums) block it. If you are in a bedroom two rooms away from your router, you might see half the speed of someone sitting next to it. Moving your device closer is the fastest fix and costs nothing.

If you cannot move closer, use an ethernet cable to connect your device directly to your router. Ethernet is always faster than WiFi because it has no interference. If your laptop does not have an ethernet port, a USB adapter costs $15 to $30. For devices like phones or tablets that do not support ethernet, moving closer to the router is your only option.

If you need WiFi in a room far from your router, a WiFi extender or mesh system can help. Extenders are cheaper ($30 to $60) but slower because they use the same channel to receive and send. Mesh systems are faster but cost more and require setup.

Check for interference and congestion on your WiFi channel

Your router broadcasts on a WiFi channel, which is like a radio frequency. If your neighbors' routers also use the same channel, they interfere with each other and slow everyone down. Routers in apartments and dense neighborhoods often suffer from this.

You can see what channels nearby routers are using with a free app like WiFi Analyzer (Android) or iStumbler (Mac). If many routers are on your channel, log into your router's settings and switch to a less crowded one. For WiFi 5 routers, channels 36, 40, 44, and 48 usually have less interference than channels 1, 6, and 11. Your router's manual or support page will show you how to change the channel.

Congestion also happens at peak times — evenings between 6 p.m. and 10 p.m. are usually slowest because many people are streaming video or gaming. If you notice speed drops only at certain times, congestion is the cause, and there is no fix except upgrading to a faster plan or switching ISPs.

Restart your modem and router regularly

Modems and routers can develop small glitches that slow them down. Restarting them clears these glitches and often improves speed. Unplug your modem, wait 30 seconds, and plug it back in. Wait for all the lights to stop blinking (usually two to three minutes). Then do the same with your router.

Do this once a month, or whenever you notice speed dropping. Some routers have a restart button on the back; pressing it is faster than unplugging. If speed improves after a restart but drops again within a few days, your modem or router may be failing and should be replaced.

Reduce the number of devices using your network at once

Your internet speed is shared among all devices connected to your network. If you have 10 devices streaming video, downloading files, or updating software at the same time, each one gets a smaller share of the speed. Disconnecting devices you are not using will free up speed for the ones you are.

Check what is connected by logging into your router's settings or using your ISP's app. Look for devices you do not recognize or do not use regularly and remove them. Turning off automatic updates on phones and computers during the day can also help — they use a lot of bandwidth and can wait until night.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my speed slower on WiFi than when I plug in with an ethernet cable?

WiFi travels through the air and is blocked or weakened by walls, distance, and interference from other devices. Ethernet is a direct cable connection with no interference. The farther you are from your router or the more walls between you and it, the bigger the difference. Moving closer to your router or using ethernet will show you the true speed your ISP is delivering.

Will a faster router give me faster internet if my plan is only 50 Mbps?

A new router can help you get closer to your full 50 Mbps, especially if your old router was losing speed. But it cannot give you more than 50 Mbps if that is what you pay for. A new router is worth buying if your current one is old or if you are far from it, but to go faster than 50 Mbps you need a faster plan from your ISP.

How often should I restart my modem and router?

Once a month is a good routine. If you notice speed dropping suddenly, restart them right away — it often fixes the problem. If speed improves after a restart but drops again within a few days, your equipment may be failing and should be replaced.

Can I use any modem with my ISP?

No. Your ISP maintains an approved list of modems that work with their network. Using an unapproved modem can cause connection drops or slow speeds. Check your ISP's website for the approved list before buying. If you rent a modem from your ISP, it is always approved.

What speed do I actually need for streaming video and video calls?

Netflix recommends 5 Mbps for HD video and 25 Mbps for 4K. Zoom and other video calls need 2.5 Mbps upload and read. If you have multiple people streaming at once, add 5 Mbps for each stream. Most households with 100 Mbps have enough for several people to stream and work at the same time.