Slow Wi-Fi connection? Know some solutions

Sticking with the slow Wi-Fi connection is sometimes outrageous. This is because it ultimately decreases image quality when watching a series on Netflix or Amazon Prime Video, causing the commands you press in your online game to be delayed or even disrupting a business meeting if you work at home.

What to do when this happens? There are several alternatives and solutions. After all, several factors can slow your Wi-Fi connection.

To give you a guide of what to do when slowness hits your internet connection, we've put together all the possible solutions in this article.

So join us for a few minutes and learn how to resolve the slow Wi-Fi connection issue in several possible ways!

How to identify the problem

Many often simply call their carrier or reset their modem at the slightest signal of slow Wi-Fi connection. However, it is not always necessary to do this. The first step is to try to identify if the problem is really with Wi-Fi.

Therefore, the first tip of this article is to connect your computer to the modem with an ethernet cable. Usually, you already get one when you subscribe to a fixed internet service. You can also buy the cable from specialty stores without problems, as there is only one type of ethernet cable to buy.

Did you plug in the cable and the connection improve instantly? So the problem is in the Wi-Fi signal. Otherwise, it may be in the service of the carrier.

If yours is the first, then keep following the next paragraphs!

Improve router positioning

Often the fault of a slow Wi-Fi connection lies in the way your router is positioned. Ideally, there should be no interruptions between your device and the main device you use to connect to the internet.

Walls, other electronic gadgets and even everyday objects can hinder the distribution of your internet signal. How to avoid it? Check out the list below.

• Position the router at a reasonable height that is high but not overdone;
• Make sure you do not have any electronic devices between your main computer and the router;
• Do not position mirrors near the router. They are also able to reflect the signal and disrupt the distribution. Some metal-trimmed walls may also reflect waves of Wi-Fi.

If, even with these recommendations, you are having difficulty deciding where to position your router, there is software for Windows that can help you. It makes it possible to create a digital map of your home, in which it will indicate which points will receive the best Wi-Fi, according to where you think to place the device.

Ekahau HeatMapper has a free version that gives you a better idea of ​​where to position your router for the best signal reception at your home.

Change the frequency of your Wi-Fi

Your Wi-Fi signal is transmitted on various frequencies. Typically, internet operators place users in the same neighborhood to receive at the same frequency. What happens if all your neighbors are at home or have a lot of people connecting to Wi-Fi? The signal is overcrowded with connecting devices.

This means slower distribution and lower download and upload speeds. In such cases, the solution is simply to switch to a frequency with fewer users.

As in the previous tip, there is a computer application that lets you know if a frequency is overloaded, and offers a list of the frequencies available in the region where you live.

Called WifiInfoview, the program for Windows shows the list and lets you choose another frequency for your router to receive. Learn more by visiting the link.

Take the router out of power save mode

It's not just smartphones that have a power saving mode. Routers also have functionality, and some carriers may end up installing the machine with this setting enabled.

Although it uses less power, it also means a worse distribution of your Wi-Fi signal. To change this, you need to access your router settings.

Each router brand has its own settings screen, so it is impossible to show exactly how to get it out of “power save” mode for each device type. Typically, you can turn off the option by looking for the “eco mode”, “power save” or “transmission level” alternatives.

Take your computer out of power save mode

If you often use your notebook in power save mode, then that is why you have a slow Wi-Fi connection. By using less power, reception of the Wi-Fi network is also impaired. On a Windows 10 computer, use the key combination Windows + R.

In the window that will open, type powercfg.cpl.

Then click on Change plan settings.

Go to Change advanced power settings.

Restart the modem

Although the above solutions are helpful, most times restarting your modem will be enough to re-establish it. Just unplug it, wait about 30 seconds, and reconnect it. See if you have a slow Wi-Fi connection.

Fixed it? Perfect. None of the alternatives worked so far? You may need to reset your router to factory settings. Check it out below.

Reset modem to factory settings

If nothing worked, perhaps more drastic measures should be taken. All routers have a small hole in the bottom or back of the machine. With a paperclip or other thin object, push the button into that hole and hold for about 15 to 30 seconds.

Your modem will appear to be restarting when it succeeds. But it will not be a common reboot as in the previous option, it will have returned to factory settings without any customization you may have previously applied.

Tip: See more tips for improving your home or office WiFi signal!

Not even reset worked. So there are only two alternatives: either you need a new router, or the problem is with your overall internet access. Here's what you can do if you fit the second option.

Disable background internet consuming programs

This may seem like little consequence, but as you install apps, many use your background connection. Chat apps, computer game buying platforms, and email management apps, for example, consume your internet in the background.

To find out which programs are consuming your internet, visit your Task Manager doing the key combination Ctrl + Shift + Esc. Then click on the tab Law Suit.

To find out which apps are consuming the most on your network, just click the Network, which programs will be ranked according to the band they consume.

Find the processes that are making your Wi-Fi connection slow? Just select them and click End Task.

Locate the devices connected to your Wi-Fi

It's not just the apps you're using that can consume your internet without you realizing it. Too many devices may be connected to your Wi-Fi signal. This may be due to the number of devices in your home or by intruders. Especially if they are watching YouTube videos or using streaming services.

To find out how many devices are connected to your network, you can access either your router settings or use these apps to monitor your Wi-Fi network.

The best way to find out if this is the problem with your slow Wi-Fi connection is to disconnect all devices, leaving only what you are using. Then test the speed of your internet and see if everything is going as it should.

Update your network driver

A simple problem to solve, but it may be hampering your connection speed. To update your network driver, open the command window again with the keys. Windows + R. Then type the command devmgmt.msc.

Then select Network adapters.

Now right-click on your network adapter – usually the first option in the list – and select the alternative. Update Driver.

Then select the option Automatically search for updated driver software.

Contact your carrier

If none of these solutions work for you, there's no way: you'll have to call your carrier. Your region may be experiencing problems or your network is under maintenance, which will actually slow down your Wi-Fi connection for a few hours.

If this is not the case, she will offer you a technical visit from a company agent, who will check your facility to find out if there are any technical problems outside your purview as a user.

Did you manage to improve your slow Wi-Fi connection?

There are many reasons why a connection is not operating as it should. With these solutions, we believe we have covered all alternatives to solve this problem.

Besides improving slow Wi-Fi connection, how about knowing how to make it faster? So stay with us for a few more minutes and check out this article with these tips for improving your internet connection!