Ten fixes, from free to paid

1. Find out where the slowdown is (free, 5 minutes)

Plug a laptop into the router or gateway with an Ethernet cable and run a speed test. Then test on Wi-Fi next to the router, and again in the slow room. Wired slow = ISP or modem issue. Wired fast but Wi-Fi slow everywhere = router or interference. Fast nearby, slow far away = coverage. Each points to different fixes below.

2. Move the router (free, 10 minutes)

Get it out of the basement corner, media cabinet or closet. Central, elevated and in the open is the goal. If the coax or fiber enters at one end of the house, a long Ethernet cable lets you move the router while leaving the modem in place. More in weak Wi-Fi signal.

3. Restart the modem and router (free, 2 minutes)

Unplug both, wait about 30 seconds, plug the modem in first and wait until it's online, then the router. This clears stuck sessions and forces a fresh channel scan. Don't confuse this with a factory reset, which erases your settings — see how to reset a router.

4. Use the right band (free)

Devices near the router should be on 5 GHz (or 6 GHz if both the router and device support Wi-Fi 6E/7). Reserve 2.4 GHz for distant and smart-home devices. If your router uses one network name for all bands, it handles this automatically; if a device sticks to 2.4 GHz near the router, try forgetting and rejoining the network. See 2.4 GHz vs 5 GHz.

5. Change the Wi-Fi channel (free, 5 minutes)

In apartments especially, neighbors' networks compete for the same airtime. On 2.4 GHz use channel 1, 6 or 11 at 20 MHz width. On 5 GHz, try another channel or let the router's auto-channel feature pick. A Wi-Fi analyzer app shows which channels are busiest.

6. Update the firmware (free, 10 minutes)

Router updates fix bugs, improve stability and patch security holes. Retail routers usually have an update button in the admin page or app, and many can update automatically. ISP gateways are typically updated remotely by the provider.

7. Find the bandwidth hogs (free)

A cloud backup, a game download or a security camera uploading constantly can saturate your connection, especially the upload side on cable plans. Check the device list in your router's app. If your router offers QoS or Smart Queue Management, enabling it can greatly improve video calls and gaming when the line is busy.

8. Upgrade old devices or wire them (low cost)

A device with an old Wi-Fi radio drags down its own experience no matter how good the router is. Use Ethernet for TVs, consoles and desktops where possible, or add a Wi-Fi 6 USB adapter or PCIe card to an old desktop.

9. Add mesh or wired access points (moderate cost)

For homes where one router can't cover everything, a mesh system or additional access points place Wi-Fi closer to your devices. Wired backhaul (Ethernet, or MoCA over existing coax) gives the best results. See best routers for 2026.

10. Replace an old router or gateway (larger investment)

If your router or ISP gateway is several years old and still on Wi-Fi 5 or earlier, a Wi-Fi 6, 6E or 7 router or mesh system can make a noticeable difference, especially with many devices. Ask your ISP whether a newer gateway is available — providers periodically swap out older models — or use your own equipment. See modem vs router for how to combine your own router with an ISP gateway.

Tips that don't really help

  • Changing DNS for speed: affects only name lookups, not throughput. Do it for privacy or filtering instead.
  • Maxing out transmit power: your phone's reply doesn't get louder, and it can increase interference.
  • Hiding the SSID: doesn't improve speed or meaningfully improve security.
  • Plug-in "boosters" without a plan: a cheap extender placed in a dead zone often makes things worse. Place it where the signal is still good, or choose mesh.
  • Foil reflectors and DIY antenna hacks: inconsistent results; placement matters far more.

Quick security check while you're in there

Unknown devices on your network can consume bandwidth. Use WPA2 or WPA3 with a strong password (see change your Wi-Fi password), turn off WPS if you don't use it, and change the router's admin password from the default.

When to call your ISP

  • Wired speed tests are consistently well below your plan's advertised speed.
  • Your connection drops completely several times a day.
  • The modem or gateway status lights show a connection problem, or it keeps rebooting.
  • Problems started suddenly with no changes on your side.
  • Your gateway is old and you suspect it limits your speed.

Before calling, write down a few wired speed results with dates and times. Your plan's FCC broadband label lists typical speeds, which is useful context for the conversation. Provider guides: Xfinity, Spectrum, AT&T, Verizon Fios, Cox, T-Mobile Home Internet.

Frequently asked questions

Why is my Wi-Fi slow when I pay for gigabit internet?

Because your plan's speed is measured at the modem, not at your phone. Several things sit in between: Wi-Fi itself (a single phone over Wi-Fi often can't use a full gigabit, even close to the router), distance and walls, the age of your router and your device's Wi-Fi radio, and other devices sharing airtime. Test with a computer plugged in by Ethernet first. If wired speeds are close to your plan, the bottleneck is Wi-Fi and the fixes on this page apply. If wired speeds are also low, contact your ISP.

Does restarting the router actually help?

Often, temporarily. A restart clears memory, drops stuck connections and makes the router re-scan for a cleaner channel. If you find yourself needing to restart weekly, that's a sign of outdated firmware, an overheating or failing router, or an ISP issue — fix the cause rather than rebooting forever. Many routers and mesh apps can schedule an automatic restart overnight.

Is mesh Wi-Fi worth it or just marketing?

It's worth it when the problem is coverage: large homes, multiple floors, or dense walls. Mesh puts access points closer to your devices so they connect at higher speeds. It won't help if your internet plan is the bottleneck, or if you live in a small apartment where one good router already reaches everywhere. In that case, better placement or a newer single router is the better spend.

Will changing DNS speed up my internet?

Not noticeably for downloads or streaming. DNS only affects the brief name lookup before a connection starts. Switching to a public resolver can help if your ISP's DNS is slow or unreliable, and it's useful for privacy and filtering, but it won't raise your speed test results. See router DNS settings.

How many devices can a router handle?

There's no single number. Manufacturers' figures for supported clients are best-case marketing. What matters is how many devices are active at once and how much they use. Wi-Fi 6 and newer routers handle many simultaneous devices more efficiently thanks to OFDMA and better scheduling. If you have dozens of smart-home devices plus several people streaming and gaming, a Wi-Fi 6 or newer router or mesh system makes a real difference over an older Wi-Fi 5 model.