5 Things Slowing Down Your Internet Right Now (Quick Fixes)
Before you call your ISP and sit on hold for 45 minutes, check these.
Your internet is slow. You've already restarted the router. Twice. Still slow. Before you call your ISP and sit on hold for 45 minutes, check these five things — one of them is probably your problem.
1. Someone's Hogging All the Bandwidth
This is the most common issue I see, and people don't even realize they're doing it.
Bandwidth hogs in your home:
- Streaming 4K video (Netflix, YouTube, Disney+)
- Large downloads (games, software updates, system backups)
- Video calls (Zoom, FaceTime, Teams)
- Cloud syncing (Google Drive, Dropbox, iCloud)
- Multiple people doing all of the above
Your internet connection has a speed limit. When everyone's competing for that limited bandwidth, everyone suffers.
Quick fix:
- Pause non-essential downloads — that 100GB game update can wait
- Lower streaming quality — 1080p uses way less bandwidth than 4K
- Schedule backups for night time — most cloud apps let you set this
- Check your router for unknown devices (change your WiFi password if you see strangers)
Better fix: Set up QoS (Quality of Service) on your router. This lets you prioritize what matters — like your work video calls over someone else's Netflix binge.
2. You're Using WiFi When You Should Use Ethernet
Hot take: WiFi is convenient, but it's not fast or reliable.
Seriously. If you're doing anything that needs consistent speed — gaming, video calls, streaming, large downloads — and your device is near your router, plug it in with an ethernet cable.
WiFi problems:
- Speed drops through walls
- Interference from other devices and networks
- Multiple devices competing for airtime
- Distance kills signal
Ethernet benefits:
- Full speed, all the time
- Zero interference
- Lower latency (crucial for gaming and calls)
- More devices don't slow it down
Quick fix: Grab a $10 ethernet cable and connect your most important device directly to the router. You'll feel the difference immediately.
Don't want cables everywhere? Look into powerline adapters — they send internet through your home's electrical wiring. Not as good as direct ethernet, but way better than weak WiFi.
3. Your Router Is Drowning in Connected Devices
Count how many devices are connected to your WiFi right now. Go ahead, I'll wait.
Most people guess around 5-10. The actual number? Usually 15-30+.
Things you forgot about:
- Smart TV
- Streaming sticks (Roku, Fire TV)
- Gaming consoles
- Smart speakers (Alexa, Google Home)
- Tablets
- Smart thermostat
- Smart bulbs
- Security cameras
- Old phones that still auto-connect
- Your neighbor who knows your password
Each connected device takes resources from your router, even when idle.
Quick fix:
- Log into your router and look at connected devices
- Kick off anything that shouldn't be there (or change your password)
- Disconnect devices you're not using
Better fix: Get a router designed for many devices. WiFi 6 routers handle device congestion much better than older models. Worth the upgrade if you have a smart home.
4. You're Not Getting What You're Paying For
Here's a dirty secret: ISPs advertise speeds like "up to 200 Mbps." That "up to" is doing a lot of heavy lifting.
You might be paying for 200 Mbps and getting 50.
How to check:
- Go to speedtest.net
- Run a test
- Compare your result to what you're paying for
If speeds are way lower:
First, test on a wired connection. If WiFi is slow but wired is fast, it's a WiFi problem (see above).
If even wired is slow:
- Network congestion — test at different times of day; peak hours (evenings) are often slower
- ISP throttling — some ISPs slow down certain types of traffic
- Infrastructure issues — old wiring in your home or problems at the ISP level
Quick fix: Call your ISP with your speed test results. Documented evidence gets action. If they can't fix it, mention you're considering switching — suddenly solutions appear.
5. Your Equipment Is Outdated
When did you get your router? If you had to think about it for more than two seconds, it's probably too old.
Signs your router is past its prime:
- It doesn't support WiFi 5 (802.11ac) at minimum
- It was included free from your ISP years ago
- It has fewer than 4 ethernet ports
- It needs to be restarted every week to work properly
- It gets hot
Why old routers slow you down:
- They can't handle modern speeds
- They weren't designed for many devices
- Old WiFi standards are slower
- Security vulnerabilities never got patched
Your modem matters too: If you're paying for 500 Mbps but your modem only supports 100 Mbps, guess what you're actually getting?
Quick fix: Check your equipment against what your ISP requires for your speed tier. They usually have a list of compatible devices.
Better fix: Buy your own modem and router instead of renting from your ISP. It pays for itself in 6-12 months (no more rental fees), and you get better equipment.
The 5-Minute Speed Boost Checklist
Start here before doing anything complicated:
- ⬜ Run a speed test — what are you actually getting?
- ⬜ Check connected devices — kick off what shouldn't be there
- ⬜ Pause big downloads and lower streaming quality
- ⬜ Move closer to router (or move router to central location)
- ⬜ Try a wired connection if possible
- ⬜ Restart modem and router (unplug for 60 seconds, seriously)
If none of that works, then we start talking about upgrades or calling your ISP.
Still Slow?
Sometimes it really is your ISP. Sometimes you need better equipment. Sometimes there's interference you can't control.
But 90% of the time? It's one of these five things, and you can fix it in minutes.
The doctor is in. 🩺
🛒 Recommended Upgrades
If your equipment is the problem:
- WiFi 6 Routers — Handle more devices, faster speeds
- Powerline Adapters — Internet through your electrical wiring
- WiFi Extenders — Eliminate dead zones