Is it slow near the router?
This gives us a useful baseline before blaming distance or coverage elsewhere in the home.
Slow home Wi-Fi
Why is my Wi-Fi so slow?
Slow Wi-Fi doesn't automatically mean you need a new router, extender or mesh system. First work out whether the problem is your Wi-Fi coverage, internet connection, equipment or a particular device.
No tech skills needed
No purchase required
Measure before buying
What causes slow Wi-Fi at home?
Wi-Fi performance can change dramatically around a home. Distance, walls, floors, interference, router placement, older equipment and the device you're using can all affect the wireless connection.
The important part is finding out where the slowdown starts before changing equipment.
You're too far from the router
Wi-Fi becomes weaker as you move away from the main router. A connection that is fast in the same room can be much slower at the other end of the house or on another floor.
Walls and floors are reducing the signal
Wi-Fi has to travel through the building. Multiple walls, dense materials and floors between you and the router can reduce signal strength and performance.
The router is in a poor location
A router hidden in a cupboard, positioned at one end of the home or surrounded by obstacles may struggle to provide useful coverage everywhere you need it.
Wireless interference is affecting performance
Nearby Wi-Fi networks and other sources of radio interference can compete with your wireless network. The effect can vary depending on location, frequency band and time of day.
Your Wi-Fi equipment may be limiting you
Older routers and wireless equipment can become a bottleneck, particularly with newer devices, faster internet plans or homes with many connected devices. But age alone isn't a reason to replace equipment that is still doing its job.
It may be one device, not the whole Wi-Fi network
If one phone, laptop or TV is slow while other devices work normally in exactly the same place, investigate that device before replacing your home Wi-Fi system.
Before you buy anything
Check performance close to your main Wi-Fi router and compare it
with the room where the connection feels slow. That difference
can tell you much more than a single speed test.
Is the problem actually your NBN or internet connection?
Sometimes it is. If performance is poor even when you're close to the main router, the problem may not be Wi-Fi coverage at all. Your internet service, plan, modem, router, network usage or another upstream issue may need to be investigated.
If you've been describing the problem as “slow NBN”, see how to tell whether slow NBN is actually a Wi-Fi problem.
Should I buy a Wi-Fi extender or mesh system?
Not yet. An extender, mesh system, access point or replacement router can be useful when it matches the actual problem, but none of them is a universal fix.
For example, adding more Wi-Fi equipment won't repair an underlying internet-service problem. Likewise, replacing a router that already performs well may do little for a difficult coverage area unless the new network is designed and positioned properly.
How AllDigital checks slow Wi-Fi
Instead of guessing from one speed result, the free AllDigital Wi-Fi Check compares performance in two useful locations: close to the main Wi-Fi equipment and where you're actually having the problem.
We also look at the equipment and home setup so the next step is based on your situation rather than a generic recommendation to buy a booster.
Start with evidence
Three questions help narrow down slow Wi-Fi.
You don't need to know networking terminology to start finding the cause.
Where does it become slow?
A bedroom, office, upstairs area or distant room can reveal a coverage or wireless-performance problem.
Does it affect every device?
Comparing devices helps separate a whole-network problem from something affecting only one phone, computer or TV.
What are you experiencing?
Slow Wi-Fi can show up in different ways.
Slow in certain rooms
Performance is good near the router but falls away in bedrooms, the office, upstairs or outside.
Buffering and lag
Streaming buffers, downloads crawl or video calls struggle even though the device still shows a Wi-Fi connection.
Inconsistent speed
Wi-Fi feels fast sometimes and slow at others, or performance changes significantly as you move around the home.
Find out why your Wi-Fi is slow.
Run the free AllDigital check before spending money on a new router, extender or mesh system.