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1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesRouter changes can improve the Wi-Fi speed your devices receive, but they cannot raise the speed ceiling of your internet plan. Before switching to a cheaper tier, compare a wired connection with Wi-Fi, test in the rooms you use, and make sure the lower tier can handle your household’s busiest moments.
First, find out whether the slowdown is Wi-Fi or broadband
A speed test over Wi-Fi measures the connection between your device and router as well as the broadband service beyond it. A slow result does not, on its own, show which part is at fault. Compare results under similar conditions, ideally at the same time and location, and check the speed tier you subscribe to.
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- Run a Wi-Fi test. Use the device and room where the slowdown matters. Note the time and result.
- Compare with Ethernet. If practical, connect a computer by Ethernet to the router or, following your provider’s setup instructions, directly to the modem. Ofcom notes that Ethernet can provide a better connection and should support the broadband speed. A cable is for this wired comparison; it does not boost Wi-Fi.
- Interpret the difference. If wired performance is near the subscribed tier but Wi-Fi is much slower, investigate placement, band, channel, device capability, and interference. If wired and wireless results are both low, check for service or modem issues and contact your provider about troubleshooting or an outage.
The FCC also recommends checking your plan and contacting your internet provider when measured speeds are lower than expected. FCC broadband speed guide; Ofcom broadband and Wi-Fi guidance.
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Five router and home-network adjustments to test
These are sensible troubleshooting steps, not a guarantee of a particular speed increase. Change one thing at a time and repeat your tests in the same places so you can tell whether it helped.
#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.
1. Put the router where its signal can reach
Try moving the router to a more open, central position rather than keeping it in a hidden corner or behind obstacles. Distance, walls, and other barriers can weaken the signal. Retest in the rooms where people use phones, computers, TVs, or other connected devices; a strong result beside the router does not establish coverage elsewhere.
Microsoft’s home-layout guidance explains how placement and barriers affect Wi-Fi.
2. Match the Wi-Fi band to the device and room
As a general trade-off, 2.4 GHz reaches farther, while 5 GHz can offer higher throughput over shorter distances. The 6 GHz band requires a compatible router and client device and has shorter range. Use 5 GHz—or 6 GHz when both ends support it—for nearby devices that need higher throughput; 2.4 GHz can suit devices farther away or those that do not support newer bands. The best choice depends on the home, router, and client.
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- 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
Microsoft’s band and home-layout guidance and Google’s Wi-Fi performance guidance discuss these trade-offs.
3. Check congestion before changing the channel
Nearby networks can compete for wireless airtime, but there is no one channel that is best in every home. Check the router’s channel-selection options or use its automatic selection if available. For 2.4 GHz, Microsoft recommends evaluating channels 1, 6, and 11, which do not overlap in its guidance; choose based on local signal strength and nearby networks rather than changing channels at random.
Microsoft’s channel guidance describes how to assess the options.
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.
4. Find out whether simultaneous activity is competing for capacity
Wi-Fi capacity is shared among active devices. If a call or stream slows while someone is downloading a large file, pause that download briefly and rerun the test. This can reveal contention. It does not mean that disconnecting idle devices will raise the broadband plan’s speed ceiling.
Ofcom’s Wi-Fi guidance covers the effect of connected devices and coverage solutions. If a dead zone remains, moving the router, using Ethernet for a fixed device, or considering mesh or an extender may help coverage. Ofcom cautions that extenders can affect data speeds and responsiveness, and outcomes depend on the building and setup.
5. Keep firmware current and test settings carefully
Enable automatic router software or firmware updates when the manufacturer provides that option; Apple recommends keeping router firmware current. If you use a TP-Link router and suspect a setting is interfering with performance, its troubleshooting instructions suggest testing with QoS and parental controls disabled. Treat that as a reversible, model-specific diagnostic—not a universal recommendation. Record the original settings and restore any feature you need after the test.
Rank #4
- 𝐅𝐮𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞-𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐲 𝐖𝐢-𝐅𝐢 𝟕 - Designed with the latest Wi-Fi 7 technology, featuring Multi-Link Operation (MLO), Multi-RUs, and 4K-QAM. Achieve optimized performance on latest WiFi 7 laptops and devices, like the iPhone 16 Pro, and Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra.
- 𝟔-𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐦, 𝐃𝐮𝐚𝐥-𝐁𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐖𝐢-𝐅𝐢 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝟔.𝟓 𝐆𝐛𝐩𝐬 𝐓𝐨𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐁𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐰𝐢𝐝𝐭𝐡 - Achieve full speeds of up to 5764 Mbps on the 5GHz band and 688 Mbps on the 2.4 GHz band with 6 streams. Enjoy seamless 4K/8K streaming, AR/VR gaming, and incredibly fast downloads/uploads.
- 𝐖𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 - Get up to 2,400 sq. ft. max coverage for up to 90 devices at a time. 6x high performance antennas and Beamforming technology, ensures reliable connections for remote workers, gamers, students, and more.
- 𝐔𝐥𝐭𝐫𝐚-𝐅𝐚𝐬𝐭 𝟐.𝟓 𝐆𝐛𝐩𝐬 𝐖𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐏𝐞𝐫𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 - 1x 2.5 Gbps WAN/LAN port, 1x 2.5 Gbps LAN port and 3x 1 Gbps LAN ports offer high-speed data transmissions.³ Integrate with a multi-gig modem for gigplus internet.
- 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.
Apple’s recommended Wi-Fi router settings; TP-Link’s slow-internet troubleshooting instructions.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.When router changes are not enough
If a wired test is also slow, a Wi-Fi adjustment is unlikely to fix the whole problem. Check that your router and modem can support the service tier, follow your provider’s troubleshooting steps, and ask the provider to check the line or any outage. The FCC recommends checking router capabilities against the plan; Ofcom’s troubleshooting guidance also lays out steps for broadband and Wi-Fi problems.
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If Wi-Fi alone remains weak, consider the device as well as the router: older or less capable client hardware may not use the router’s available bands or performance. A wired connection can be more reliable for a stationary device. Mesh systems or extenders are coverage options, not automatic speed upgrades; an extender in particular can reduce speed or responsiveness.
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
See FCC guidance, Ofcom broadband and Wi-Fi troubleshooting, and Google’s performance troubleshooting.
How to decide whether a lower internet tier will work
Do not downgrade just because a speed test beside the router improved. That result says little about your household’s busiest hour, the farthest room, or upload-heavy tasks. A lower tier may cost less, but whether it is adequate depends on how many people and devices use the connection at once and what they do.
- Identify peak simultaneous use: video calls, streaming, gaming, downloads, and other demanding activity.
- Include upload needs as well as downloads, especially for calls, sending large files, or remote work.
- Check any data limits, fees, or other plan conditions before changing tiers.
- Measure wired performance and Wi-Fi performance in relevant rooms over a representative period, not just in one favorable test.
- Confirm the lower tier’s terms and whether you can change back if it proves inadequate.
There is no universal speed threshold that establishes a safe downgrade for every household. Router improvements can make better use of the service you have, but they do not increase the broadband plan’s own ceiling. Ofcom’s Wi-Fi guidance explains the distinction between broadband and the connection around the home.
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