The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →The fastest way to improve your internet speed is to work out where it is being lost. Your connection has two separate parts: the broadband service coming into the home, and the Wi-Fi link between the router and each device. Ofcom, the UK regulator, states plainly that improving Wi-Fi cannot make your connection faster than the broadband service behind it. So the first job is a few measurements, then the free fixes, and only then any purchase.
Step 1: Measure before you change anything
Ofcom’s troubleshooting guidance notes that speeds vary by time of day, and that delay (lag) affects live services such as video calls and gaming, not just download numbers. One speed test tells you very little. Run several, and write down for each:
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- the time of day;
- the device and where you were standing;
- whether the test was over Wi-Fi or a cable;
- the speed you are supposed to be getting under your plan.
Without that log you cannot tell whether a change helped or whether you simply tested at a quieter hour.
Step 2: Run the diagnostic sequence
- Check for a provider problem. Look at your internet provider’s outage or service-status page or app before touching anything.
- Restart the equipment. Reboot the router and any separate modem or broadband box, following the maker’s or provider’s instructions.
- Test with a cable. Connect one computer to the router with Ethernet and test again. Ofcom says Ethernet is usually faster and more reliable than Wi-Fi, and that the cable should support your subscribed speed.
- Pause other traffic. Stop large downloads, game or system updates, cloud backups and streaming, or disconnect unused devices, then test again. Household bandwidth is shared, and the FCC’s 2024 fixed broadband report lists home Wi-Fi and simultaneous use among the points where performance bottlenecks can occur.
- Test a second device. If only one phone or laptop is slow, the problem is probably that device (outdated software, an older Wi-Fi chip), not the connection.
- Change one thing at a time and re-test. No source supports a fixed percentage gain from moving a router or switching bands, so judge by your own before-and-after numbers.
How to read the results
| What you see | Likely location of the problem | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Wired is good, Wi-Fi is poor | The wireless link: placement, distance, interference, device capability | Free Wi-Fi fixes below, then consider coverage products |
| Wired is also poor | Broadband service, line, modem or plan | Check for outages, then contact your provider |
| Slow only at certain hours, or only when others are online | Shared household use, or congestion at busy times | Pause heavy use; compare against your plan speed |
| Only one device is slow | That device | Update it; compare with another device in the same spot |
Free fixes that often work
Move the router
Ofcom and Australia’s communications regulator, ACMA, give similar advice. Put the router in an open, roughly central spot, off the floor, away from thick walls, metal and water (such as fish tanks or water tanks), and away from electrical devices that can cause interference. A router tucked in a cupboard or beside the broadband entry point at the edge of the house is a common cause of weak rooms.
#1 Best Overall
- DUAL-BAND WIFI 6 ROUTER: Wi-Fi 6(802.11ax) technology achieves faster speeds, greater capacity and reduced network congestion compared to the previous gen. All WiFi routers require a separate modem. Dual-Band WiFi routers do not support the 6 GHz band.
- AX1800: Enjoy smoother and more stable streaming, gaming, downloading with 1.8 Gbps total bandwidth (up to 1200 Mbps on 5 GHz and up to 574 Mbps on 2.4 GHz). Performance varies by conditions, distance to devices, and obstacles such as walls.
- CONNECT MORE DEVICES: Wi-Fi 6 technology communicates more data to more devices simultaneously using revolutionary OFDMA technology
- EXTENSIVE COVERAGE: Achieve the strong, reliable WiFi coverage with Archer AX1800 as it focuses signal strength to your devices far away using Beamforming technology, 4 high-gain antennas and an advanced front-end module (FEM) chipset
- OUR CYBERSECURITY COMMITMENT: TP-Link is a signatory of the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency’s (CISA) Secure-by-Design pledge. This device is designed, built, and maintained, with advanced security as a core requirement.
Update your devices
Ofcom’s troubleshooting guide lists updating devices among the free fixes. Install pending operating system and network-related updates, then retest.
Understand the Wi-Fi bands
ACMA’s guidance covers the different Wi-Fi bands and interference from household electronics and neighbouring networks. Router menus differ by maker, so use the manufacturer’s or provider’s instructions when changing channel or band settings, and test after each change.
Rank #2
- Dual-band Wi-Fi with 5 GHz speeds up to 867 Mbps and 2.4 GHz speeds up to 300 Mbps, delivering 1200 Mbps of total bandwidth¹. Dual-band routers do not support 6 GHz. Performance varies by conditions, distance to devices, and obstacles such as walls.
- Covers up to 1,000 sq. ft. with four external antennas for stable wireless connections and optimal coverage.
- Supports IGMP Proxy/Snooping, Bridge and Tag VLAN to optimize IPTV streaming
- Access Point Mode - Supports AP Mode to transform your wired connection into wireless network, an ideal wireless router for home
- Advanced Security with WPA3 - The latest Wi-Fi security protocol, WPA3, brings new capabilities to improve cybersecurity in personal networks
Use a cable for fixed devices
A desktop, games console or streaming box that stays in one place is a good candidate for Ethernet. This frees Wi-Fi capacity for phones and laptops. Buy an Ethernet cable rated for your plan’s speed, and check that the ports on both ends can handle that speed too.
Recommended Free Tools
When buying something makes sense
Buy only after the steps above show a wireless coverage problem. Ofcom’s Wi-Fi guide (February 2024) describes the options, and none of them fixes a slow broadband service.
Rank #3
- NIGHTHAWK WIFI 6 ROUTER FOR YOUR WHOLE HOME: Delivers fast, reliable WiFi across every room of your apartment or small home for streaming, gaming, video calls, and smart home devices, all running at the same time without slowing each other down.
- WORKS WITH YOUR EXISTING INTERNET SERVICE: Pairs with your existing modem or gateway via ethernet. Compatible with most cable, fiber, DSL, and satellite providers. Some gateways and modem router combos may require bridge mode. No coax needed.
- SET UP AND MANAGE YOUR NETWORK WITH THE NIGHTHAWK APP: Download the free Nighthawk app on iOS or Android for guided setup. Manage WiFi, run speed tests, pause devices, and set up guest networks from anywhere. Active internet required.
- READY FOR THE DEVICES YOU ALREADY OWN: Your phones, laptops, and TVs work right out of the box. WiFi 6 delivers speeds up to 1.8 Gbps across 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands. Backward compatible with WiFi 5 and earlier.
- COVERAGE IN EVERY ROOM: Covers up to 1,500 sq. ft. for up to 20 connected devices. Walls, floors, and interference can reduce range. Larger or multi-story homes may benefit from a NETGEAR Orbi mesh WiFi system.
Mesh system
Mesh suits larger homes or awkward layouts where one router cannot reach everywhere. Placement of the extra nodes matters. Ofcom’s 2024 guide put starter packs at roughly £60 to over £200 in the UK; treat that as dated context, not a current price.
Wi-Fi extender
Extenders can fill a coverage gap cheaply, but Ofcom warns they can reduce speed and responsiveness. Weigh the gap you are fixing against that cost.
Rank #4
- 𝐅𝐮𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞-𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐨𝐟 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐇𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐖𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐖𝐢-𝐅𝐢 𝟕: Powered by Wi-Fi 7 technology, enjoy faster speeds with Multi-Link Operation, increased reliability with Multi-RUs, and more data capacity with 4K-QAM, delivering enhanced performance for all your devices.
- 𝐁𝐄𝟑𝟔𝟎𝟎 𝐃𝐮𝐚𝐥-𝐁𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐖𝐢-𝐅𝐢 𝟕 𝐑𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐞𝐫: Delivers up to 2882 Mbps (5 GHz), and 688 Mbps (2.4 GHz) speeds for 4K/8K streaming, AR/VR gaming & more. Dual-band routers do not support 6 GHz. Performance varies by conditions, distance, and obstacles like walls.
- 𝐔𝐧𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐡 𝐌𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐢-𝐆𝐢𝐠 𝐒𝐩𝐞𝐞𝐝𝐬 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐃𝐮𝐚𝐥 𝟐.𝟓 𝐆𝐛𝐩𝐬 𝐏𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝟑×𝟏𝐆𝐛𝐩𝐬 𝐋𝐀𝐍 𝐏𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐬: Maximize Gigabitplus internet with one 2.5G WAN/LAN port, one 2.5 Gbps LAN port, plus three additional 1 Gbps LAN ports. Break the 1G barrier for seamless, high-speed connectivity from the internet to multiple LAN devices for enhanced performance.
- 𝐍𝐞𝐱𝐭-𝐆𝐞𝐧 𝟐.𝟎 𝐆𝐇𝐳 𝐐𝐮𝐚𝐝-𝐂𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐨𝐫: Experience power and precision with a state-of-the-art processor that effortlessly manages high throughput. Eliminate lag and enjoy fast connections with minimal latency, even during heavy data transmissions.
- 𝐂𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐂𝐨𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐫 - Covers up to 2,000 sq. ft. for up to 60 devices at a time. 4 internal antennas and beamforming technology focus Wi-Fi signals toward hard-to-reach areas. Seamlessly connect phones, TVs, and gaming consoles.
Powerline adapters
These send the network signal through your electrical wiring, so results depend on the wiring in your home. ACMA also advises that changes to fixed home cabling in Australia be done with suitable cabling and a registered cabler.
A new router
Consider this after diagnosis, and check compatibility with your provider first. Ofcom’s guide classes Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n) as “Fast (100 Mbps)”, Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) as “Superfast (200 Mbps)” and Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) as “Ultrafast (600 Mbps+)”. These are category labels, not promises of what your household will get. Real speeds depend on the equipment, your devices, the environment and the broadband service. Compare coverage in your actual layout, how many devices it supports, automatic optimisation and security features.
Best Value
- Dual band router upgrades to 1200 Mbps high speed internet (300mbps for 2.4GHz plus 900Mbps for 5GHz), reducing buffering and ideal for 4K stream
- Full Gigabit Ports - Gigabit Router with 4 Gigabit LAN ports, ideal for any internet plan and allow you to directly connect your wired devices
- Boosted Coverage - Four external antennas equipped with Beamforming technology extend and concentrate the Wi-Fi signals
- MU-MIMO technology - (5GHz band) allows high speeds for multiple devices simultaneously
- Access Point Mode - Supports AP Mode to transform your wired connection into wireless network, an ideal wireless router for home
When to contact your provider
If a wired test is poor across several times of day, and there is no reported outage, ask the provider to check the line, modem and plan. Quote your test log. Also confirm that the speed you are paying for is one your address can actually receive.
In the UK, Ofcom’s current guidance covers guaranteed speed information and complaint and compensation routes. Those rights are UK-specific, so readers elsewhere should check their own regulator. Upgrading to a higher tier will not fix weak Wi-Fi in a far bedroom; do that only if wired results show the service itself is the limit.
Quick Recap
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