Speed up your home WiFi broadband connection with these five simple tips (2025)

Struggling with slow internet? Try these easy tips

Slow internet speeds can impact your day-to-day life considerably with millions of UK homes relying on their wi-fi connection to work from home, for streaming, playing games and more.

Having slow download speeds can be incredibly frustrating, but The Express reports there are actually some simple things you can try to improve your internet connection - without having to change providers.

Bare in mind, however, that your maximum potential download speed will be dictated by your provider and how much you are willing to pay, generally the higher price the faster the download speed.

But placing your router in the wrong part of the house could actually be causing slow download speeds and making a few quick changes can improve it considerably.

If you have found yourself frustrating by slow internet, here are some simple tips for boosting that speed.

Tried all these and still having issues with your connection? Call your provider, they should be able to test the speeds and locate issues remotely - or send an engineer out to check it.

Five tips to help Wi-Fi speed

1. Move the router

The first thing you should do is check where your router is located. To get the best signal, the flashing box should be out in the open - not blocked by a cupboard door or tucked behind a TV.

Ideally, it will be located off the floor such as on a shelf or desk, and avoid placing it close to other devices such as baby monitors or cordless phones which emit their own signals which can result in a clash - slowing down the internet.

2. Avoid windows

A window ledge might be your first port of call when it comes to moving the box off the floor, however being near glass is a bad idea.

Some of the signal coming from the router could end up being blasted outside and wasting the precious waves. On top of that, sunshine coming in through the window can cause the box to overheat.

And finally, be careful with Wi-Fi boxes on windows to ensure that passer-by's can't see the information to access your network.

3. Avoid placing your router near to a microwave

Ideally your router will be away from the kitchen as this room is usually full of metal objects that can interfere with the signal.

Microwaves in particular use the same 2.4 GHZ frequency as Wi-Fi routers which means that signals can clash, disrupt and even shut down.

4. Be careful of pets

Although your cat and dog is unlikely to affect your downloads, having a fish tank next to your router might. Wi-Fi signals can be absorbed by water, so this could be the reason your internet connection is suffering.

5. Reboot the router - but don't leave it off

Switching it off and on again is the first port of call for a reason! Giving your router a reboot every so often can fix issues, clear bugs and get speeds back on track.

Most ISPs recommend switching off the router, waiting one minute, then turning it back on again, but be aware that the full reboot can take up to 5 minutes to finish, so don't tap the power button if you are about to join the weekly work Zoom call.

And although a restart is a good idea, it's not recommended to turn the router off overnight as it won't get vital upgrades. Constantly turning things off and on again can also send signals to the ISP that there's an issue with the line, which can then mean emergency speed restrictions are put in place and actually slow things down.