How to improve your broadband speed

Tips to improve and check internet speeds

A reliable broadband connection is vital, especially if you work from home. So if your connection is frustratingly slow, we've a round-up of tricks to give your speed a boost. If you're just looking for a new deal, see our Broadband comparison tool.

Test your internet speed

check your broadband speed

Try a free test for an indication of both your download speed (the rate at which you get data from the web) and upload speed (the rate at which you can send data to the web).

Use a couple from the list below to get a range of results, and perform the tests at different times to get an idea of how speeds fluctuate:

If you're using your mobile and not connected to Wi-Fi, running a speed test will use part of your data allowance. 

  • Things to consider before carrying out a speed test

    🕰️ Timing is essential. Internet speeds can vary depending on the time of day. During peak hours when more people are online, you may see slower speeds due to increased network congestion. To get a comprehensive view of your internet performance, run speed tests at different times throughout the day and week. This will help you identify any patterns in speed fluctuations and determine if your provider is meeting their promised speeds consistently.

    📶 Opt for cables. If possible, you may wish to plug your computer or other device directly into your router with an ethernet cable, rather than connecting over Wi-Fi. Wi-Fi signals can be influenced by various factors like interference, distance from the router, and other devices on the network, making it less reliable for precise measurements.

  • What do your results mean?

    When you run a speed test, you'll see your current download and upload speed. Both your download and upload speed is measured in megabits per second (Mbps). When downloading, the higher this number is, the smoother your online experience, whether streaming a film or online gaming. 

    Upload speeds focus on how quickly data travels from your device to the network. Faster upload speeds will mean you can upload files quicker and video calls will be smoother. You might notice your upload speed is lower than your download speed, this is normal.

    If your download speed isn't high enough, you might experience websites that are slow to load or streaming a film that buffers. To get an idea of what's considered a good speed, they can be split out into several categories:

    What broadband speed do I need?

    Type of broadband Speed What's it good for? Devices per household

    Standard

     

    Up to 29Mb Also know as ADSL, this is the basic level and is currently being phased out and replaced with Fibre to the premises (FTTP). Usually only good for webpage browsing or viewing emails. When steaming, your video may buffer. 2
    Fibre-optic 30 - 99Mb Most common option for people and is good enough for most things, including streaming and online gaming. Although if there's more people online in your household doing the same thing, it could begin to struggle. 3 - 4
    Fast fibre
    100Mb+ This is best for large households doing multiple things online, including streaming, downloading large files and online gaming. To download a high definition film on Netflix using fast fibre takes around 4 minutes. 5 - 6
    Superfast fibre 500Mb+ Superfast fibre is similar to fast fibre, but deals at this speed are likely to be more expensive so it's very much a luxury. To download a high definition film on Netflix using superfast fibre will take less than a minute. 6+

Top tips to boost your internet speeds

If the speed you're currently getting is way off what you need, you may have to move to a new deal or provider (see below for switching help).

But if you're generally comfortable with the average speed, there are a few things you can do to marginally increase it.

  1. Make sure your router is in the best place

    When using Wi-Fi, obviously the nearer you are to the router, the better your signal will be, and therefore the faster your broadband. Because Wi-Fi signals can't travel through large objects such as thick walls, it's crucial you have a clear path for the signal to travel to your laptop, tablet or smartphone.

    Signal noise from other wireless electronics, such as a TV, can interfere with the connection between your device and router so it may be worth switching these off if you have an important video meeting and are experiencing slow broadband speeds.

    The position you place your router can therefore make a massive difference to the speeds you get. Where possible, try to:

    • Choose a central location.
    • Position it high up with no obstacles around it.
    • Don't hide your router away in a cupboard or drawer.
    • Place your phone far away as possible from electrical equipment such as baby monitors, speakers, TVs or monitors. 
    • Don't camouflage it with picture frames or ornaments.

    It's also worth making sure it's plugged into the best socket. Try using multiple phone sockets to see if you can get better speeds, though plugging your router directly into your main phone socket will generally work best. Just remember the distance between your router and devices should be kept to a minimum where possible.

    Other things to check

    • Use microfilters in each phone socket

      What is a microfilter?

      A microfilter is a small device that can be plugged into a socket. They may come in handy if your broadband is slow, you have noise on your phoneline or if you keep having drops in connection. They stop your telephone and broadband signals from interfering with each other. 

      Why do I need an ADSL microfilter?

      Your provider should give you adapters that split your phone and broadband signals. The ADSL port will allow you to connect it to your router and stop the broadband interfering with your telephone. It's advisable that these are plugged into every phone socket you use, not just the one you use for broadband.

      If after plugging the filter in your regular phone line becomes noisier, try plugging in a second filter or investing in a better quality filter (you can find them online for as little as £2).

      Do I need a microfilter if I don't have a telephone?

      It depends on the type of socket you're using to plug your broadband into. If it has just one socket, you'll need a microfilter. If it has two, where one is marked 'broadband', then you don't need a microfilter.

    • Try changing your router channel for better Wi-Fi

      Most Wi-Fi routers operate on a 2.4Ghz and 5Ghz frequency spectrum, which are then split into 'channels'.

      As most routers use the same channel by default, it's worth switching to another if your Wi-Fi is patchy or slow – as it's likely your neighbours will all be using a single channel at the same time. Your router's manual should show you how to do it, or you can try this Tech Advisor guide.

  2. Opt for wires, not Wi-Fi

    Ethernet cable

    It may not be an immediately appealing option, but if you're desperate, reverting to good ol' cables should boost your speed. An Ethernet cable is able to transfer data at a faster rate than Wi-Fi can because it doesn't encrypt data as wireless routers do.

    What is an ethernet cable?

    An ethernet cable does the same thing as your Wi-Fi connection does except it uses a cable to do it. So an ethernet cable lets you physically connect your computer to the internet. They're able to transfer data at a faster rate than Wi-Fi can because it doesn't encrypt data as wireless routers do.

    Other benefits include much less interference, so you don't have to worry what frequency your neighbour is on, and a more reliable connection for devices such as games consoles and PCs, which don't need to be moved around the room.

  3. Try a wireless booster

    Wireless boosters are designed for folks with big homes or those with signal black spots where the signal isn't strong enough. However, the gadget just extends the wireless signal – it won't improve your general broadband speed or bandwidth. Boosters generally work with any provider, so you don't have to be with one in particular to use them.

    Check before buying though, as your supplier may send you one out for free if you're having difficulties connecting in certain rooms. Also, if you've signed up to either Sky Boost, WiFi Guarantee or the BT Complete package, these guarantee Wi-Fi coverage throughout your home, which means you can request an unlimited amount of wireless boosters.

    If not, you could try something like the:

  4. Use your home electrics to extend your router's range

    Virgin Media recommends powerline adapters over boosters, which use your electric wiring to send the router signal to other parts of your home. This is how it works:

    1. Connect your router to the nearest plug socket using the adapter.
    2. Your internet connection is then routed around your home through the electrical wiring.
    3. Plug another adapter into a socket, ideally where you are experiencing weak signal, and you should see a noticeable improvement in the connection strength.
    4. You can then connect your laptop or another device either by Ethernet cable or Wi-Fi, depending on the kit you choose.

    Here are a couple of options we've found:

    • The Netgear Powerline* range of adaptors cost £42 to £50 (including postage) direct from Virgin. They can also be bought from other retailers that stock computer equipment, such as Argos.
    • The TP-Link* powerline adaptor starter kit (two pack) is usually around £30 from Amazon.
  5. Turn off Wi-Fi on devices you're not using

    The more devices attached to your Wi-Fi, the lower the speed you'll get. Even if you have a decent fibre or cable connection, you may think you're not prone to slow speeds, but devices such as tablets and smartphones often work in the background, so try switching Wi-Fi reception off on these when you're not using them.

  6. Working from home and need a quick fix?

    If you're carrying out video calls or meetings and you're having problems, turning the video off and only using audio will require much less of your internet connection. But if things are working fine, for your general wellbeing you may opt to keep your video on so you can better interact with colleagues – particularly important now as many of us are working from home more.

    Another trick is to try starting conference calls at less common times, rather than on the hour or half-hour.

    You might also want to manage your family's online activity, so that different people aren't carrying out data-heavy tasks (such as HD streaming, gaming or video calls) all at the same time. Downloading video in advance, instead of streaming it, can also help.

  7. Make sure everything is up-to-date

    You may be surprised by the effect of updating your software and settings. A few simple things to check and try are:

    • Is your anti-virus up-to-date?

      Some viruses, adware, spyware and other nasties can use your broadband connection to report back to their masters in cyberspace, taking up precious bandwidth as they gather information on you and slow down your computer – the cheek!

      It's therefore important to check you've got decent antivirus protection switched on, and to do a full system scan each week.

      You needn't pay for it, either – check out our Free antivirus software guide.

    • Is your browser up-to-date?

      If you're still using – or haven't updated – the web browsing software that came with your device years ago, switching is a must.

      The newest generation of browsers are faster, more secure and totally free. Try upgrading Microsoft Edge or installing a different one for free, such as ChromeFirefoxOpera or Safari.

    • Are your wires in good condition?

      If your wires are old but still in good condition, not to worry, your broadband speed won't be affected. However, if your wires have degraded in any way, they could be slowing you down. 

      It is natural for your wiring to degrade over time, exposure to extreme temperatures or various chemicals or pets are some of the common causes.

    • Turn off background apps on your iPhone or Android

      If you have downloaded apps on your phone, like Facebook or Spotify, check your settings to prevent them from running automatically in the background. This can significantly improve your connection speeds.

      Through your main settings menu, you can typically manage which apps you allow to run in the background or disable this option altogether, preventing them from connecting when not actively in use.

Can you ditch & switch to a speedier provider?

If you've tried all the tips above and you still see no improvement – or your connection just can't keep up with your internet needs – then you may want to consider a new deal, or a new provider entirely.

To keep costs down, don't go for a faster connection than you need. Check what broadband speed you need in this table. Whether you're in or out of contract will determine how easy it is to switch, so we've the different steps below.

If you're out of contract, you're free to leave

When your initial promo deal is over, it's highly likely you'll already be overpaying, as most providers hike costs. Yet have no fear, you're actually then free to switch away to a different provider, or to haggle a new deal if you'd prefer to stick with your current one.

Simply give your provider notice that you're leaving (usually 30 days) and start comparing deals that are available to you. Though always remember that advertised speeds are just an indication of the speed you may get – they're based on the average speed received by at least 50% of a provider's current customer base between 8pm and 10pm.

It's trickier if you're still within your minimum contract period – but there is a way

Even if you're in contract – which means you are tied in for a set period (often 18 or 24 months) and would be charged to leave early – there could be a way to ditch and switch penalty-free, depending on when you signed up to your current broadband deal. See Can I leave my broadband contract early?

Providers signed up to Ofcom's voluntary code – including BT, EE, Hyperoptic, Plusnet, Sky, TalkTalk, Utility Warehouse, Virgin Media, Vodafone and Zen Internet – will give an estimate of the speeds you will likely receive, plus a minimum speed that they guarantee you'll get before you sign up. If something goes wrong, you could be due compensation.

If your speeds drop below this minimum for three consecutive days, you can ask your provider to check for a fault – and get it fixed if so. If it remains unresolved for 30 days, you should be able to leave your contract penalty-free.

This code applies to broadband-only deals AND packaged deals that include TV and landline phones. If unhappy with your provider, try free complaints handling tool Resolver.

If you're in contract and experiencing slow speeds – but above the guaranteed minimum – your provider may allow you to upgrade or send better equipment to boost your speed.

Boost broadband speed FAQs

  • Does the weather affect my Wi-Fi signal strength?

    Yes, heavy rain, snow or strong winds can interfere with your Wi-Fi signal and slow down your broadband speed. 

    This is because external infrastructure, such as cables or wiring, can be damaged by high winds or flooding. This will impact the the Wi-Fi equipment inside your home, such as your router, are safe from the bad English weather.

  • Why does my internet speed vary?

    There could be a number of reasons why your broadband speed is fluctuating. The fix may be as simple as moving your device closer to the router or removing obstructions such as walls or large furniture. You could reposition your router and make sure it is central and unobstructed. 

    Also check how many devices are connected to the internet and if you have any that you are not using, make sure to disconnect them. Making sure that everything is up-to-date will also speed things up.

    If that doesn't work it may be worth thinking about changing your broadband provider, have a look at How to find cheap broadband deals.

  • How to check if there are internet issues in my area? Is the internet down in my area?

    The first thing to do is test whether there are internet issues in your area is to check with your provider. Providers such as BT, Virgin Media and Sky have status sites that can tell you if there's a problem in your area.

    If that's not the case, it might be that there's an issue with the website or service. You can check this with sites such as Down Detector which will be able to tell you if there are any reported problems.

    You can also run a broadband speed test to see if your broadband is having issues.

  • How can I boost my Wi-Fi signal for free?

    There are a number of ways to boost your broadband without any extra expenses including removing any obstructing objects or electrical devices, repositioning your router to a more central location so it is free of walls, or large furniture.

    You should also disconnect any unused devices from the internet, and make sure everything is up-to-date.

  • Do Wi-Fi boosters increase internet speed?

    Wi-Fi boosters don't increase internet speed, but they do boost the range of the signal you already have. They're designed for big homes or homes with black spots where the signal is weak.

    You can buy a cheap booster for around £20, but many broadband firms will send you one for free, so make sure to check with your provider.

  • Why is my broadband so slow?

    Your broadband signal could be slow for a number of reasons. These include your device being too far from the router, too many different devices using the signal and your home having Wi-Fi 'black spots'. Most of these could be solved by putting your router in a better place or buying a booster.

    If none of these solutions work, you may just need to get faster broadband. Use our Broadband comparison tool to compare the best deals.

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