How to improve your Wi-Fi speed at home
Most slow Wi-Fi is a configuration problem, not a broadband problem. Work through these in order and most homes see a large improvement before touching the router.
Published October 20, 2026 · CheckSpeedPro
Start with where the router sits
A router on a desk in a corner of a room is the single most common reason a home Wi-Fi network feels slow. The router should be in an open, central position, raised off the floor and away from metal, microwaves, cordless phone bases and mirrors. If your router is in a hallway cupboard, moving it to the middle of the main living space is often worth more than any upgrade.
Use the right band, on the right device
Modern routers broadcast on three bands. The 2.4 GHz band reaches furthest and passes through walls best, but it is crowded and much slower. The 5 GHz band is considerably faster but shorter-ranged. The 6 GHz band, where available, is faster still and less congested.
- Use 5 GHz or 6 GHz for anything on the same room or floor — it is the speed band.
- Keep 2.4 GHz enabled for devices that need range, such as smart home devices and doorbells, but do not put laptops and phones on it.
- If your router broadcasts a single SSID, enable band steering so capable devices pick the faster band automatically.
The settings worth changing
Log in to the router's admin panel and check four things. Make sure the Wi-Fi channel is set to auto or to the least congested of 1, 6 or 11 on 2.4 GHz — a fixed channel on a busy one is a common and easily fixed problem. Set the Wi-Fi mode to the fastest option your devices support, but leave the older 802.11b/g fallback disabled unless you have genuinely old hardware. Turn off any leftover guest or extender network that is not in use, because it shares the same radio and bandwidth. Finally, update the router's firmware, which frequently contains radio and stability fixes that never make it into the news.
When to add hardware
If the connection is fast when you are next to the router and slow across the house, the problem is coverage rather than bandwidth. A mesh system is the right fix in that case. If the speed is slow right next to the router too, the problem is the line or the router's internet port, and no amount of Wi-Fi hardware will fix it — run a wired test to find out which.
Frequently asked questions
Why is my Wi-Fi slower than my internet speed?
Your broadband speed is the limit of the line to your house; Wi-Fi speed is the limit of the air between your device and the router. The gap is caused by distance, walls, interference and the band your device picks. A wired test tells you which of the two is the constraint.
Does a Wi-Fi extender help?
It helps with coverage gaps but, because it usually rebroadcasts the same radio, it can reduce overall speed and add latency. A mesh system placed correctly is generally the better option in a multi-floor home.
Should I change my router to get faster internet?
Only if the router is more than about four years old, or if it cannot handle the speed of your plan. Modern mid-range routers handle gigabit connections comfortably, and a new router will not make a slow line faster.
Check your own connection
Run the free test to see your actual download, upload, ping and jitter — then compare the numbers against the guidance above.
Run the speed test