Why Is My Internet Slow?
Slow internet has a cause. Run a speed test first to get a baseline, then work through these causes in order — most problems are solved by step 3 or 4.
1. Wi-Fi signal is weak or congested
How to tell: Your speed is much higher when connected via Ethernet than via Wi-Fi, or when you move closer to the router.
Fix: Move the router to a central location, away from walls and appliances. Switch to the 5 GHz band if your router supports it — it's faster but shorter range. Consider a Wi-Fi extender or mesh system for larger spaces. Full Wi-Fi improvement guide →
2. Too many devices on the network
How to tell: Speed is fine at night when others are asleep, but slow during the day or evenings when all household devices are active.
Fix: Check your router's connected device list. Smart TVs streaming 4K, game consoles with background updates, and security cameras all consume significant bandwidth. Disable auto-updates or schedule them for off-peak hours. Consider upgrading your plan if your household genuinely needs more bandwidth.
3. Outdated or overloaded router
How to tell: The router hasn't been restarted in weeks; it runs hot; speeds are consistently slow on all devices and on Ethernet too. Gaming ping spikes whenever someone else starts a download — a sign of buffer bloat.
Fix: Restart the router — unplug it for 30 seconds, then plug back in. If this solves it temporarily but the problem returns, the router may be struggling with heat or memory. Consumer routers typically need replacement every 3–5 years. Routers from ISPs are often underpowered. What is buffer bloat and how to fix it →
4. ISP congestion at peak hours
How to tell: Speed is fast in the morning and slow in the evenings (7–11 PM). The problem is consistent day after day, always at the same time.
Fix: This is your ISP's network being overloaded by too many customers in your area. You can document the issue (run and save tests at different times) and use this evidence when contacting your ISP's support. You can also compare your provider's performance against competitors on our ISP rankings to make an informed case for switching.
5. Background applications consuming bandwidth
How to tell: Speed seems fine when you first boot your computer but degrades over time. Cloud backups, software updates, or torrent clients are running.
Fix: Open your task manager or activity monitor and check for high network usage. Common culprits: Windows Update, OneDrive/Dropbox sync, Steam downloading games, antivirus definition updates. Schedule these for overnight or off-peak hours.
6. Faulty or degraded cables
How to tell: Speed is inconsistent even on Ethernet. Speeds vary significantly between tests run seconds apart. Physically bending the cable causes the connection to drop.
Fix: Replace your Ethernet cable. Cat 5e cables support up to 1 Gbps; Cat 6 supports up to 10 Gbps. Avoid very long cable runs (over 90 metres). Also check the coaxial or phone cable connecting your modem to the wall — damage here directly limits your speed.
7. VPN adding latency and overhead
How to tell: Disconnect your VPN and run a speed test. If speed improves significantly, the VPN is the bottleneck.
Fix: Choose a VPN server geographically closer to you. Use a faster VPN protocol (WireGuard is significantly faster than OpenVPN). Consider a split-tunnel VPN that only routes specific traffic through the VPN, leaving regular browsing on your direct connection.
8. ISP throttling specific traffic
How to tell: Specific services (Netflix, YouTube, torrents) are slow while others are fast. A speed test through a VPN is significantly faster than without one.
Fix: Document the pattern — which services, what times, what speeds. Contact your ISP and ask whether traffic management policies apply to your plan. In some regions, ISPs are required by law to disclose throttling practices. If throttling is confirmed, a VPN may bypass it for affected traffic, or switching providers may be necessary. How to detect and prove ISP throttling →
9. Outdated modem or line fault
How to tell: You're on a VDSL or cable connection and speeds are far below your plan speed even on Ethernet. Your modem's admin page shows high error rates or low signal levels.
Fix: Log into your modem (usually at 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1) and check the signal levels and error statistics. Excessive errors indicate a line quality problem — either at your property (faulty internal wiring, corroded sockets) or upstream. Request a line test from your ISP. ISP-provided modems are often replaced free of charge under your contract.
10. Your plan speed is simply too low
How to tell: Your speed test result matches your plan speed — you're getting what you're paying for, but it's not enough for how you use the internet now.
Fix: Compare your result to our country average. Most households with 3–4 people streaming and working from home need at least 100 Mbps down. If your results match your plan but feel slow, upgrading your plan is the only solution.
When to contact your ISP
Contact your ISP if you've ruled out Wi-Fi, devices, and local hardware and the problem persists on a wired connection. When you call, have the following ready:
- Your speed test results at different times of day (save them by creating a free account)
- The date and time the problem started
- Whether neighbours on the same ISP are experiencing similar issues
- Your modem's signal levels and error count, if accessible
ISPs are more likely to dispatch a technician when you arrive with documented evidence rather than a vague complaint.