Start with the basics: router placement and restart
The fastest fix is often the one you haven't tried yet. Your router broadcasts a radio signal, and walls, metal, and distance weaken it. If your router sits in a closet, inside a cabinet, or on the floor behind your TV, move it to an open, central location in your home — ideally elevated and away from microwaves and cordless phones, which broadcast on the same frequency and create interference.
Next, restart your router. Unplug it for 30 seconds, then plug it back in and wait three minutes for it to fully boot. This clears temporary memory problems that slow speeds down over time. Many people find this single step recovers 10 to 20 percent of their speed without any other change.
If you rent and cannot move the router, ask your internet provider whether they will move it for you or provide a better model. Some providers charge a small fee; others do it at no cost.
Key Takeaways
- Moving your router to a central, elevated location away from walls and metal objects can noticeably improve signal strength throughout your home.
- Restarting your router every few months clears temporary slowdowns and often recovers lost speed without any equipment changes.
- Switching to the 5 GHz band on your router gives faster speeds over shorter distances, while 2.4 GHz travels farther but slower.
- Reducing the number of devices connected at once and closing bandwidth-heavy apps frees up speed for the devices you are actively using.
- If your internet plan is genuinely too slow for your needs, contact your provider about faster tiers rather than expecting software fixes to overcome a plan limitation.
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 2.4 GHz band travels farther and through walls better, but it is slower and more crowded — your neighbors' routers, microwaves, and baby monitors all use it. The 5 GHz band is faster but does not travel as far and is blocked more easily by walls.
If you are sitting within 30 feet of your router with a clear line of sight, switching to 5 GHz will usually give you noticeably faster speeds. Open your router's settings (usually by typing 192.168.1.1 into a web browser, though your router's label will show the exact address), find the wireless settings, and look for a network name ending in "5G" or "5GHz". Connect your device to that network instead of the 2.4 GHz one.
If you are far from the router or have many walls between you and it, stick with 2.4 GHz — the faster band will not help if the signal is too weak to reach you.
Reduce the number of devices using your internet at once
Your internet speed is shared among every device connected to your network. If you have ten devices streaming, downloading, or updating simultaneously, each one gets a smaller slice of the total speed. Close apps and browser tabs that use data in the background, and ask household members to pause large downloads or streaming while you need faster speeds.
Check which devices are connected by logging into your router's settings. Look for a section called "Connected Devices" or "DHCP Clients" and disconnect anything you do not recognize or no longer use. Forgotten devices — old phones, tablets, or smart home gadgets — drain bandwidth even when you are not actively using them.
If you have a guest network option in your router settings, use it for visitors' devices instead of giving them your main password. This isolates their traffic and prevents their background updates from slowing your own devices.
Check for and remove malware or unwanted programs
Malware and unwanted software can consume your bandwidth without your knowledge, sending data in the background and slowing everything down. Run a malware scan on your computer using Windows Defender (built into Windows) or a free tool like Malwarebytes. On a Mac, use the built-in XProtect or read Malwarebytes for Mac.
Also check your browser extensions and installed programs. Open your browser settings and review the extensions list — remove anything you do not recognize or no longer use. In Windows, go to Settings > Apps > Apps & Features and look for unfamiliar programs, then uninstall them.
If you notice your speeds are slow only on one device but normal on others, the problem is on that device, not your internet connection. Running a scan and removing unnecessary programs will usually fix it.
Update your router's firmware and your device drivers
Router manufacturers release firmware updates that fix bugs, improve performance, and patch security holes. Log into your router's settings and look for an "Administration," "System," or "Firmware" section. If an update is available, install it — the process usually takes five to ten minutes and your internet will briefly disconnect.
On your computer, make sure your network drivers are current. In Windows, go to Device Manager, find "Network Adapters," right-click your adapter, and select "Update Driver." On a Mac, go to System Preferences > Network and check that your connection is stable.
Outdated firmware and drivers can cause slowdowns, dropped connections, and interference. Updating them costs nothing and often recovers speed you did not know you had lost.
Contact your provider if speeds are consistently below what you pay for
If you have tried the steps above and your speeds are still far below what your plan promises, contact your internet provider and ask them to run a line test. They can check whether the problem is in your home network or in the connection coming into your house. Many providers offer this test at no cost.
When you call, have your account number ready and be specific about when the slowdown happens — all day, only at certain times, only on certain devices. If the provider confirms the line is working correctly, the problem is in your home network, and the steps above should resolve it. If the line itself is slow, the provider may need to send a technician or may offer you a faster plan.
Do not assume a software fix will overcome a plan that is genuinely too slow for your household's needs. If you regularly stream video, work from home, and have multiple people online at once, a slower plan will always feel slow no matter how well your router is configured.
Consider upgrading your router if it is more than five years old
Older routers use older technology and cannot deliver the speeds that newer internet plans provide. If your router is five years old or older and you have already tried the steps above, replacing it may be the most effective change you can make.
You do not need an expensive router. A mid-range model from a major manufacturer (TP-Link, ASUS, Netgear, or Linksys) in the $50 to $100 range will handle most home networks. Look for one that supports WiFi 6 (also called 802.11ax) if your devices support it — this is the current standard and offers better performance than older WiFi 5 routers.
Some internet providers will rent you a newer router for a monthly fee, usually $10 to $15. Buying your own router outright costs more upfront but saves money over time and gives you more control over your network settings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is my internet fast on one device but slow on another?
The problem is on the slow device, not your internet connection. Run a malware scan, close background apps, and check that the device's network driver is up to date. If the device is far from the router, move closer or switch to the 2.4 GHz band, which travels farther.
Does restarting my router really help, or is that just a myth?
It genuinely helps. Routers accumulate temporary memory problems over weeks or months that slow speeds down. Restarting clears this memory and usually recovers lost speed. Restart your router every few months as routine maintenance.
What is the difference between WiFi and internet speed?
Internet speed is what your provider delivers to your home. WiFi speed is how fast that connection travels from your router to your device. You can have fast internet but slow WiFi if your router is far away or blocked by walls. The steps above improve WiFi speed; only your provider can improve internet speed.
Will a mesh WiFi system fix my slow internet?
A mesh system extends WiFi coverage to dead zones in your home, but it will not make your internet faster if the problem is your plan speed or your connection to the provider. Mesh systems are worth buying if you have areas where the signal is weak, but they will not help if your speeds are slow everywhere.
How often should I restart my router?
Restart it every two to three months as routine maintenance, or whenever you notice speeds have slowed down. You can also set up automatic restarts on some routers — check your router's settings for a scheduling option.