WHY IS MY WIFI SO SLOW? 3 QUICK TIPS FOR COMBATING SLOW INTERNET SPEED

Lady sitting on couch with laptop, a video is loading due to slow interent

 

Are you tired of wondering, 'Why is the internet so slow'? We feel your pain. Whether you're downloading those important documents, streaming a movie, or saving an alien planet from hideous invaders, nothing is guaranteed to ruin your night-in like a slow internet connection. 

 

Your Wi-Fi connection speed is affected by multiple factors, including:

  • Network congestion
  • Location - distance from the nearest router
  • Age of the router
  • Building materials (brick or concrete walls, tiles, glass, or metal, for example)
  • Too many devices connected to one router at the same time
  • Your device's operating system (OS)


How to Test if Your Internet is Slow

If you find yourself battling slow WiFi speeds, here are some quick tips to bring those internet speed issues under control. 

Chorus LIVE Speed Test

One of the quickest and easiest ways to understand if there's an issue with your internet connection is to perform a live speed test.  The test will measure the following three areas:

 Metric  Definition
 Download Speed How long it takes to receive data from the wider internet to your device.
 Upload Speed  The time it takes to send data from your device to the wider internet.
 PING How many milliseconds it takes for data to travel between your device and servers in New Zealand and around the world.

Download Speed

 This refers to the maximum rate of time that it takes for your wireless connection to retrieve data and information from the wider internet and transfer it back to your personal device. If you're always asking yourself, 'Why is my download speed so slow?' the answer might lie in network congestion or the number of electronic devices competing for bandwidth. This can affect everything from the quality of video and music streams to the loading times of web pages and online images.

 

Upload Speed

The reverse of download speed! Upload speed measures how quickly your internet connection sends information from your personal device to the wider internet. This affects activities such as sending emails and video calling.

 

PING

A phrase well known to gamers across the globe, PING measures the reaction time of your network connection, counting the milliseconds it takes for data to travel between your computer and external servers. Lower PING means better internet performance, especially for online gaming, where fast connection speeds are crucial.

Factors that may influence your network speed include your device and its capabilities, your OS, your web browser, the number of connected devices, and whether you're connecting wirelessly to the router or using an ethernet cable. If you think the speed test result is indicating poor performance, we definitely want to hear about it! Contact us on 0800 10 18 10.


Router in the centre of house floor plan

 

Location, Location, Location

If you're using a standard router and want the best performance possible, we recommend placing it in the centre of your home to maximise your Wi-Fi coverage. If you have specific wireless devices that demand higher bandwidth, like smart TVs or gaming consoles, consider placing your router nearby to ensure a faster internet connection.  

 

Physical Extensions

One quick and easy way to boost wireless speeds for a specific device is simply to connect it directly to your router via an ethernet cable. A wired connection typically provides faster internet speeds than a wireless connection. Alternatively, consider investing in wireless network adapters or extenders to boost Wi-Fi signal strength in areas with poor coverage. 

 

Whole-Home Mesh WiFi

Does a better router improve WiFi speed? If your internet is slow, installing a whole-home mesh system is the crème de la crème of options at your disposal, and we think it nets the best long-term results. Modern whole-home mesh WiFi systems like our Total Home WiFi help eliminate WiFi dead spots and allow users to connect up to 100 different devices to the home network.

eero 6+ recommendations Mercury Total Home WiFi

Our Total Home WiFi routers come in packs of two or three, allowing you to maximise coverage throughout your home. 

The router units work together to create a seamless home internet experience, so your device can automatically connect to the router with the strongest signal as you move through your house.

Get in touch with Mercury today if you’re looking for the best new router for your home - we’ll be able to help match you with a great option for your space size and WiFi speed requirements.