# How to Improve WiFi Speed at Home > Find out whether the slowdown comes from your WiFi signal, one device or your internet connection, then try the fixes that fit. Canonical URL: https://serynix.com/blog/how-to-improve-wifi-speed/ Author: Serynix Editorial Team Published: 2026-10-15 Language: en Topic: Technology Geographic scope: Global WiFi slow in the bedroom but fine beside the router? Or is every device buffering, wherever you sit? Those are different problems, and buying a booster for the wrong one can waste your money. If you're looking for how to improve WiFi speed, start by finding where the slowdown begins. A couple of quick tests can tell you whether to focus on the router, one device or your internet service. ## First, find out what is slow Use the same phone or laptop for both tests. Pause downloads, game updates and big uploads for a few minutes, then run a speed test next to your router and again in the room where WiFi feels slow. Write down the results and repeat the test after each change. Microsoft's [Wi-Fi and home layout guide](https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/experience/connectivity-networking/wi-fi-and-your-home-layout) recommends measuring in different places before and after changing your setup. Read the pattern: - **Fast near the router, slow farther away:** the signal may be struggling to reach that room. - **Slow in every room on several devices:** check the router, modem or internet service. - **Only one laptop or phone is slow:** troubleshoot that device before changing the whole network. - **If you can test with an Ethernet cable:** compare the wired result with WiFi. If the cable is much faster, the wireless connection is likely the bottleneck. If both are slow, check your plan, modem or internet provider. ## 1. Give your router a better spot Routers work best when their signal has a clear path. Put yours in an open, fairly central spot and raise it off the floor if you can. Avoid hiding it in a cupboard, behind a television or beside a large metal object. Thick walls, floors and appliances can get in the way too. If moving it only a few feet improves the test in your problem room, keep the new position and test again. You don't need to rearrange the whole house to see whether placement is part of the problem. ## 2. Try the right WiFi band If your router shows separate 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz networks, test both from the room where you use your device: - **5 GHz** can be faster when you're closer to the router, but its signal usually weakens more through walls and over distance. - **2.4 GHz** often reaches farther, though nearby networks and devices can make it more crowded. So, 5 GHz isn't automatically best everywhere. Try each network and keep the one that gives you the better result in that spot. Some routers use one network name and choose the band automatically. TP-Link's [Wi-Fi signal guide](https://www.tp-link.com/us/support/faq/468/) explains the range and obstacle trade-off between the bands. ## 3. Restart the router safely A restart can clear a temporary connection problem. Unplug the router's power, wait about 30 seconds, then plug it back in and give it a few minutes to reconnect. If you have a separate modem or fibre ONT, follow your provider's instructions for restarting both. Use the power cable, not the small recessed **Reset** button. Reset usually means factory reset, which can erase your WiFi name, password and provider settings. ## 4. Pause heavy internet use for a quick check For one test, pause the things that are actively moving a lot of data: a game download, cloud backup, large file upload or another device streaming video. Run the same test again. If the speed changes, you have found a source of competition for the connection. You can schedule large downloads or backups for a quieter time instead of disconnecting every device in the house. ## 5. If only your laptop or phone is slow If other devices work normally, try these on the slow one: 1. Turn WiFi off and back on, then reconnect to your network. 2. Restart the device. 3. Check for system updates. On a Windows 11 laptop, try the Network and Internet troubleshooter in the Get Help app. Microsoft's [WiFi troubleshooting steps](https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/experience/connectivity-networking/fix-wi-fi-connection-issues-in-windows) also explain how to check the adapter and reconnect to a network. 4. If the problem continues, test that laptop or phone beside the router. If it is still slow there while another device is fast, the device's WiFi hardware or settings may be the issue. This is the useful first step when you're trying to improve WiFi speed on a laptop or mobile. Don't change router settings for every device if just one device is affected. ## Do WiFi boosters really work? They can help when a particular room has weak coverage and the connection is good near the router. They won't make your internet plan faster or fix a slow connection in every room. An extender also needs a decent signal from the main router, so putting it in the dead zone may not help. For a single weak spot, place it between the router and that room. For several rooms or floors, compare the cost of a mesh system before buying anything. ## Is 40 Mbps slow? The number alone doesn't answer that. It depends on what you do online, how many people are using the connection at once, and whether the test was run over WiFi or Ethernet. Compare your result with your plan, then test near the router and in the room where you notice a problem. ## The quick version - Test beside the router and in the slow room using the same device. - Move the router into an open, central spot. - Try 5 GHz nearby and 2.4 GHz farther away. - Restart the router, then pause large downloads or uploads while testing. - If one device is slow, troubleshoot that device. If every device is slow, check the wired speed and contact your provider if it is low too. - Buy an extender only when the tests point to a coverage gap. That is how to improve WiFi speed without guessing or paying for gear that won't fix the actual problem. Test first, change one thing at a time, and keep the fix that makes a difference where you use the internet. ## Frequently asked questions ### Is 5 GHz always faster than 2.4 GHz? Not in every room. A 5 GHz connection can perform better near the router, while 2.4 GHz often reaches farther through the home. Test both with the same device in the place you actually use it, rather than choosing a band only by its name. ### Will a WiFi extender make my internet plan faster? No. An extender can help with a weak-signal area, but it cannot increase the speed supplied by your internet plan. Test beside the router first. If the connection is already slow there on several devices, investigate the modem, router or provider before buying an extender. ### Should I press Reset to restart my router? Use the power connection for a normal restart, following your provider's instructions. The recessed Reset button commonly restores factory settings and can erase your WiFi name, password and connection settings. Wait for the router to reconnect before repeating the same speed test. ## Sources and further reading - [Wi-Fi and your home layout, Microsoft Support](https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/experience/connectivity-networking/wi-fi-and-your-home-layout) - [Fix Wi-Fi connection issues in Windows, Microsoft Support](https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/experience/connectivity-networking/fix-wi-fi-connection-issues-in-windows) - [How to Improve Your Wi-Fi Signal and Wireless Range, TP-Link](https://www.tp-link.com/us/support/faq/468/)