Wi‑Fi Troubleshooting 101: How to Fix Slow Speeds and Dropouts

Why Does Wi‑Fi Slow Down?

When you experience slow Wi-Fi speeds-streams stuttering or downloads crawling-your network is usually overwhelmed or the signal is weak. Too many devices streaming at once create congestion, while distance and thick walls sap the signal. Frayed cables add unexpected slowdowns and old routers simply can't keep up. The top fix? Restart your modem and router-most glitches vanish after a quick reboot. If you've rebooted and pared down devices yet buffering persists, the issue may be your internet plan.

Common Causes of Slow Wi‑Fi Speeds

Home Wi‑Fi issues often trace back to a few culprits. Interference in the crowded 2.4 GHz band-microwaves, Bluetooth and baby monitors-can bog down speeds. Distance and obstructions like concrete walls and metal appliances weaken signals. Loose or damaged cables cause sudden drops. Outdated hardware or firmware can't handle modern speeds and often causes slow Wi-Fi speeds, and occasionally your ISP throttles or gets overloaded.

Router Placement 101: Where You Keep It Matters

Believe it or not, location matters. Place your router in the centre of your home, high on a shelf or table. Avoid hiding it in cabinets or near large metal appliances. Keep it away from kitchens and microwaves, which emit frequencies that interfere with Wi‑Fi. In multi‑storey homes, mount the router near the ceiling on the lower floor or on the floor of the upper floor and adjust antennas to point across floors. These simple tweaks can boost signal strength by up to half.

How to Fix Wi‑Fi Dropouts Quickly?

Wi-Fi dropouts? Easy fixes.

1. First, restart your modem and router—turn them off for 30 seconds and back on.
2. Next, update the router's firmware for speed and security. If it's interference, switch to a less crowded channel; 2.4 GHz works best on channels 1, 6 or 11.
3. Check cables and replace any that are loose or damaged.
4. Move the router to a central, elevated spot.
5. If your hardware is old, get a dual-band router or add mesh nodes for big homes.
6. A speed test will tell you if you need to upgrade your plan.

2.4 GHz vs 5 GHz: Which One Should You Use?

Modern routers broadcast on two primary bands. 2.4 GHz offers longer range and better wall penetration but is slower-up to about 450-600 Mbps-and crowded with devices. 5 GHz supports faster speeds (up to 1.3 Gbps) and faces less interference, though its signal doesn't travel as far. Use 2.4 GHz for basic browsing or if your connection is under 50 Mbps; use 5 GHz for high‑speed streaming, gaming and busy neighbourhoods. Dual‑band routers automatically pick the best band.