Home › Guides › Home Wi-Fi and broadband problems: a fix-it order that works
Is your internet slow? Does it drop out? Before you ring your internet provider or buy expensive new equipment, work through this checklist. Many broadband problems are quick to fix, and you can solve them yourself.
Step 1: Check if it is Wi-Fi or broadband
A slow Wi-Fi speed test does not always mean your broadband line is the problem. Your home Wi-Fi and your internet connection are different things. Test this: connect a computer directly to your router using an Ethernet cable (not Wi-Fi). Now run a speed test at Broadbandcompared.co.uk or Broadband.co.uk. Compare the wired speed to your Wi-Fi speed.
If wired speed is fast but Wi-Fi is slow, the problem is your Wi-Fi, not your broadband line. If wired speed is also slow, your broadband line itself is the problem.
Step 2: Restart your router (if Wi-Fi is the problem)
If your Wi-Fi is slow but the wired connection is fine, restart your router. Switch it off completely, wait one minute, and switch it back on. A restart clears temporary problems that can clog up the line and slow everything down.
After restart, run the Wi-Fi speed test again. If speed improves, you have solved it. If it does not improve much, continue to the next step.
Step 3: Improve your router position and reduce interference
Router placement matters. The best position is:
- In a central location in your home, not in a corner or cupboard
- As close as possible to your main telephone socket (where the line comes in)
- On a shelf or high up, not on the floor
- Away from metal objects, microwaves, and cordless phones, which can interfere with Wi-Fi
If your router is in a cupboard or the far end of your house, moving it will often improve signal and speed significantly.
Also check what devices are connected. Every tablet, phone, and laptop on your Wi-Fi shares bandwidth. If you have a large household with many devices, try switching Wi-Fi off on tablets and smartphones you are not actively using. This increases speed for devices that need it.
Step 4: Check the cable and phone line (if broadband is slow)
If your wired Ethernet connection is slow, the problem is your broadband line or the connection to your router. Check:
- The cable from the phone socket to the router is plugged in firmly at both ends
- The cable is not damaged, kinked, or squeezed under furniture
- You are using the phone socket where the main line comes into the house, not an extension socket or a socket far from the main entry point
Poor cable connections account for a surprising number of broadband speed problems. If the cable is loose or damaged, tightening it or replacing it is often all that is needed.
Step 5: Run a speed test and document it
Use an Ofcom-accredited speed test tool (Broadband.co.uk or Broadbandcompared.co.uk). Run the test three times over a few days and at different times of day (morning, afternoon, evening). Write down the results. This gives you real data to discuss with your provider.
Compare your actual speed to the speed your contract promises. Most providers allow a margin—if you are paying for “up to 65 Mbps,” you might get 50–60 Mbps. But if you are getting 10 Mbps and paying for 65 Mbps, there is a real problem.
Step 6: Contact your provider
If your speed is significantly slower than promised, contact your internet service provider. Explain what you have already checked (wired connection, router restart, cable connections). Provide your speed test results from Ofcom-accredited tools—providers take these seriously.
A good provider will run their own diagnostics and may ask you to:
- Move your router
- Replace the Ethernet cable
- Update the router firmware
- Swap the router for a newer model
If the problem is on their network and they cannot fix it within 30 days, they must let you leave your contract without paying an early exit fee.
Step 7: Consider other factors
Sometimes slow speed has nothing to do with your router or line. Check:
- Your computer or device—it might need updates, a restart, or a scan for malware
- Your browser—too many extensions can slow it down; try disabling them
- The websites you are using—they might be slow, not your connection
Key points
- Test wired (Ethernet) connection speed to tell if the problem is Wi-Fi or broadband
- Restart your router and improve its placement to fix Wi-Fi slowness
- Use Ofcom-accredited speed test tools and run tests at different times of day
- Check cables, phone socket connections, and device count on Wi-Fi
- If broadband is slower than promised, contact your provider with speed test results
- You have the right to leave your contract if your provider cannot fix the issue within 30 days
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