WiFi is connected but slow: 6 things to check before calling anyone
3 min read
"Connected but slow" is one of the most common tech complaints we hear, and it has several possible causes that are worth ruling out before assuming the network itself is broken.
Quick things to check yourself
Run a speed test on a device sitting right next to the router. If it's fast there but slow elsewhere, it's a coverage problem, not an internet problem. Check how many devices are connected, an old router straining under 20+ devices will slow down for everyone. Restart the router itself, a surprising number of slowdowns clear with a simple reboot. Check if a specific app or streaming service is slow while everything else is fine, that's usually the service, not your WiFi.
When it's a router age problem
Routers provided by internet providers are often basic hardware, adequate at launch but struggling a few years later as homes add more connected devices. If your router is more than three or four years old and slowness has crept in gradually, hardware age is a likely cause.
What we test on a visit
We measure actual speeds at the router versus the modem to isolate whether the issue is your WiFi network or your internet connection itself, then work outward from there. It's a five-minute test that saves guessing.