Try switching off wi-fi on a few other gadgets that are sitting idle to see if it helps. It should pick a different channel for you.Īlso consider if you're crowding your own wi-fi channel – this can happen if you have lots of devices connected to wi-fi at the same time, even if you're not actively using them. Otherwise, you can reset your router by turning it off, waiting a couple of minutes, and turning it back on again. Some routers have a special button that will allow you to change channels – check your manual. If there are a lot of people using the same wireless channel in one area, it can slow your connection. This can also give faster speeds than wireless. If you don't need a wireless network – for example if you only connect to the internet from a single static device, such as a desktop computer – then use a wired connection. This makes the line look unstable and can lead to your speed being automatically reduced to make the line more reliable. Don't – when you switch it off, it makes it appear that your broadband is disconnecting. Some people turn their routers off when they're not using them.

Never put it in a cupboard, or behind a TV or fish tank. Your best bet is to stick your router high up where the signal won't be impeded – on top of a bookshelf, for example. interference from electrical equipment such as microwaves, speakers, TVs or baby monitors.Lots of other things can impact the strength of a wireless broadband signal: If you put it next to a window, then half of your signal will be sent outside. You'll get the best coverage if you're able to place it somewhere central.

If, like most people, you use a wi-fi network to connect your computing devices to your router, then you need to position your router where it can be most effective. The tips in this guide can help minimise any such interference. It could be that the set-up in your house is slowing down your signal. Remember, a low speed reading doesn't necessarily mean that the speed into your house is slow or that your provider isn't delivering the speeds that it promised.

If it doesn't, you can quote your speed readings when contacting your provider to complain. This will tell you the actual download speed you're receiving – you can then see if this improves once you've followed the other advice in this guide. Plugging your computer directly into the router will give you the most accurate reading for the speed of your broadband and will help you work out if slow speeds are caused by a poor wi-fi signal. Find out just how slow your connection is by using our free broadband speed checker.

Broadband test speed