5 Reasons Your Internet Might Be Slow (And How to Fix it)

Slow internet is frustrating, especially when you're paying for high-speed service. People often think something is wrong with the internet when it is actually a simple fix inside the home. The good news is, most of these issues are easy to fix. Here are 5 reasons your internet might be slow and how to troubleshoot:

1. Your Router Is Old or In the Wrong Spot

If your router is more than a few years old, it might not be able to handle today’s internet speeds. Also, if it’s stuck in a corner or behind a TV, the signal can’t reach the rest of your home well.

What to Do:

• Make sure your router is up to date. If you’ve had it for more than 5 years, it’s probably time to replace it.
• Place it in a central spot in your home, not on the floor or hidden behind furniture.

Don’t know if your router’s the problem? Give us a call and we’ll help you check.

2. Too Many Devices Are Using the Internet at Once

Your internet is shared between every device in your home: phones, tablets, smart TVs, Alexa, security cameras and even doorbells! If too many are using it at once, things slow down.

What to Do:

• Unplug or turn off devices you’re not using.
• If your house is busy with internet use, you may need to call us to upgrade your speed plan.

3. Nearby Wi-Fi Signals Are Causing Interference

If you live in an apartment, condo, or neighborhood with close homes, your Wi-Fi might be getting mixed up with your neighbor’s.

What to Do:

• Some routers can change channels to avoid traffic, if yours can, try it.
• Newer routers also have a setting called “5G Wi-Fi” (not the same as 5G cell service) and this can help reduce interference.

4. Bad Cables or Loose Connections

Old, cheap, or damaged cables can slow things down, especially if you’re using wired connections or splitters from a cable company.

What to Do:

• If your cords look old or damaged, it’s worth replacing them.
• We recommend using quality Ethernet cables, especially if you're plugged in directly to the router.

5. Background Apps or Viruses Using Up Bandwidth

Sometimes it’s not your internet that’s slow, it’s your device. Things like background apps, cloud backups, or even viruses can be using your internet without you knowing.

What to Do:

• Close extra programs when you’re not using them.
• Run a virus check.
• Pause backups (like Google Photos or iCloud) when using Zoom or streaming TV.