How to improve Wi-Fi speed and reliability

1. Improve router placement

Place the router in an open, central location where practical. Avoid hiding it inside a cabinet or placing it directly on the floor. Thick walls, metal surfaces, large appliances and long distances can weaken the signal. If the router has external antennas, follow the manufacturer's positioning guidance.

2. Choose the right Wi-Fi band

Many modern routers offer 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz Wi-Fi, and some support 6 GHz. The best option depends on your router, device and environment.

• 2.4 GHz: often reaches farther and passes through obstacles better, but can be more congested and usually offers lower peak throughput.
• 5 GHz: often provides higher throughput at shorter range, but signal can weaken more quickly through walls.
• 6 GHz: can provide additional capacity on compatible Wi-Fi 6E or Wi-Fi 7 equipment, but requires supported devices and suitable coverage.

Use the band that gives your device a stable connection in its actual location. Router settings and band names vary by manufacturer.

3. Check connected devices and background activity

Video streams, game downloads, cloud backups, operating-system updates and large uploads can compete for available bandwidth. Check whether another device is using the connection heavily when slowdowns occur. If your router supports a device or traffic overview, use it to identify busy clients.

4. Reduce interference and update equipment

Keep the router away from sources of interference where possible. If your router supports automatic channel selection, it may help in crowded environments; advanced users can compare channels using a reputable Wi-Fi analyser. Install firmware updates from the router manufacturer and replace equipment only when there is a clear compatibility, coverage or performance reason.

5. Compare Wi-Fi with Ethernet

Run a speed test close to the router, then repeat from the room where you normally experience problems. If possible, compare a wired Ethernet result using the same device and test service. A much better wired result can point to a local Wi-Fi coverage or interference issue. Similar results on both connections may suggest the bottleneck is elsewhere.

6. Test more than once

Run several tests at different times of day. Record the device, location and whether you used Wi-Fi or Ethernet. Look for repeatable patterns rather than relying on one measurement. If the wired result is consistently far below your plan's expected performance, contact your internet provider with the test times and results.