What actually slows down your internet, and what you can fix right now
Your internet speed depends on three things: the speed your provider sells you, the condition of the equipment between you and them, and what is running on your devices right now. You cannot change what your provider sells you without calling them. But you can almost always improve the second and third — and those fixes cost nothing.
Start by testing what speed you are actually getting. Go to speedtest.net or fast.com in your browser, run the test, and write down the number. This is your baseline. Then work through the fixes below in order. Test again after each one. You will see which fixes matter for your specific setup.
Key Takeaways
- Restart your modem and router — unplug them for 30 seconds, plug them back in, and wait three minutes before testing — because this clears temporary slowdowns that build up over time.
- Move your router to a central, elevated location away from walls, metal, and other electronics, because physical barriers and interference cut your wireless speed in half or more.
- Check what devices are connected and what is using bandwidth right now, because one device downloading in the background can cut your available speed by 50 percent or more.
- Switch to the 5 GHz band on your router if your device supports it, because it is faster over short distances even though it does not travel as far as 2.4 GHz.
- Update your router firmware and your device drivers, because manufacturers release fixes for slowdowns that accumulate as the hardware ages.
Restart your modem and router the right way
This fixes most speed problems because modems and routers hold temporary data that slows them down after they run for weeks or months. The fix is simple but the timing matters.
Unplug your modem first — the device your internet provider gave you that connects to the wall outlet or cable. Wait 30 seconds. Plug it back in and wait for all the lights to stop blinking and settle into a steady pattern. This usually takes two to three minutes. Then unplug your router — the separate device that broadcasts your Wi-Fi — wait 30 seconds, and plug it back in. Wait another three minutes for it to fully restart.
Do not restart them at the same time. The modem needs to reconnect to your provider's network first, and if the router starts up before that is done, they can get out of sync. After both are fully restarted, run your speed test again. Many people see an immediate improvement here.
Move your router to a better location
Wi-Fi travels through air but bounces off and gets blocked by walls, metal, and water. If your router is in a closet, behind a filing cabinet, or in a corner of your house, you are losing speed for no reason.
Move your router to a central location — ideally in the middle of your home, elevated on a shelf or mounted on a wall rather than sitting on the floor. Keep it away from the microwave, cordless phones, baby monitors, and metal objects like filing cabinets or refrigerators. These all broadcast on the same frequencies and create interference that slows your connection.
If you cannot move the router itself, move the device you are testing on closer to it. If speed improves dramatically when you move closer, the problem is distance and obstacles, not your internet plan. You may need a second router or a mesh system to cover your whole home, but that is a separate decision.
Check what is using your bandwidth right now
One device downloading a large file, streaming video, or running updates in the background can use most of your available speed. This is not a problem with your internet — it is a problem with what is running on it.
On Windows, open Task Manager by pressing Ctrl+Shift+Esc. Click the Performance tab, then click Open Resource Monitor at the bottom. Click the Network tab and look at the Processes section. The programs listed under Bytes Sent/Received are using your bandwidth. Close any you do not need right now.
On Mac, open Activity Monitor from Applications > Utilities. Click the Network tab. Look at the Sent and Received columns. Programs with high numbers are using your bandwidth. Quit any you do not need.
On your phone or tablet, go to Settings > Network or Data Usage and look for apps using large amounts of data. Disable background app refresh for apps you do not need running constantly. Then run your speed test again with only essential apps open.
Switch to the 5 GHz Wi-Fi band if your device supports it
Most 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. The 5 GHz band is faster but does not travel as far. If you are close to your router, 5 GHz will give you better speed.
Check your router settings by opening a browser and typing 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1 into the address bar. Log in with the username and password on the back of your router. Look for a Wireless or Wi-Fi section. You should see two network names listed — one ending in 2.4G and one ending in 5G, or similar. Write down the 5 GHz network name and password.
On your device, forget the 2.4 GHz network and connect to the 5 GHz one instead. Run your speed test. If you are within 30 feet of the router and have a clear line of sight, you should see faster speeds. If you are farther away or through multiple walls, you may drop the connection or see no improvement — in that case, switch back to 2.4 GHz.
Update your router firmware and device drivers
Manufacturers release updates to fix slowdowns and bugs that build up over time. Most routers do not update automatically, so you have to do it manually.
Log into your router settings again at 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1. Look for a section called Administration, System, or Maintenance. Find the option for Firmware Update or Software Update. If an update is available, download and install it. The router will restart — this takes a few minutes. Do not unplug it during the update.
On Windows, open Settings > System > About. Click Check for Updates. Install any available updates and restart your computer. On Mac, open System Settings > General > Software Update and install any updates available. On your phone, go to Settings > About Phone (Android) or Settings > General > Software Update (iPhone) and install updates.
Check your internet plan speed and contact your provider if needed
After you have tried the fixes above, run your speed test one more time. Compare the result to the speed your provider promised you. You can find this on your bill or in your account online.
If you are getting close to the promised speed — within 80 percent — your internet is working as intended. Wireless devices will always be slightly slower than wired ones because of interference and distance. If you are getting significantly less than promised, write down your test results and call your provider's technical support line. Tell them what speed you are getting and what you have already tried. They can check the line from their end and may find a problem you cannot see.
If you consistently need more speed than your plan provides, you may need to upgrade to a faster plan. Call your provider and ask what speeds are available at your address. Prices and available speeds vary by location.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I use an ethernet cable instead of Wi-Fi?
Yes, if you can. A wired connection is always faster and more stable than wireless because it avoids interference and distance problems. If your router is far from your computer, a long ethernet cable (Cat 6 or Cat 5e) is cheaper than buying new equipment and will give you the full speed your plan provides.
Does closing browser tabs actually make the internet faster?
Only if those tabs are actively loading or streaming. A tab that is just sitting there uses almost no bandwidth. But if you have 20 tabs open and several are auto-playing video or refreshing constantly, closing them will free up bandwidth for other things.
Why is my speed slower at night than during the day?
More people in your neighborhood are using the internet at night, which can slow down shared equipment. This is especially common with cable internet. If slowness happens at the same time every day, it is likely congestion, not a problem with your connection. Wired connections are less affected by this than wireless ones.
Will a mesh Wi-Fi system make my internet faster?
A mesh system will give you better coverage throughout your home, but it will not make your actual internet speed faster. If you are already getting your full plan speed at your router, a mesh system just spreads that same speed to more rooms. If you are losing speed because of distance and obstacles, a mesh system helps by putting a transmitter closer to you.
How often should I restart my modem and router?
Once a month is a good routine. If you notice slowness building up, restart them sooner. You do not need to restart them every day — that can actually wear out the equipment faster.