There are plenty of reasons why your internet is so slow. There could be high internet traffic in your area or through your provider, you could have devices on your local network soaking up your bandwidth, or you could simply have a slow plan. On top of this, your modem or router might be faulty or there could be problems with your internet provider in your area. Whatever the issue is, we’re here to help with some easy troubleshooting tips.
Jump to:
- Internet outage
- Internet connection is not as fast as advertised
- A virus or malware issue
- The modem-router needs rebooting
- Multiple devices are downloading at the same time
- Too many people on the WiFi
- Too far away from the WiFi signal
- It’s a website issue
- The DNS server isn’t getting the job done
- Modem-router needs a firmware update
- The WiFi channel is too crowded
- The VPN is on
- Your Quality-of-Service feature is affecting your internet speed
1. There is an internet outage
It seems obvious, but if there’s an internet outage your speed could be affected. If your slowed-down speeds are new and unexpected, your NBN provider could simply be performing maintenance, or the network could be experiencing issues.
Quick fix
It’s best to look these things up on your NBN provider’s website, just in case it’s an issue that’ll be solved soon. Most providers will offer status updates during network outages or scheduled downtime.
2. Your internet connection may not be as fast as advertised
It’s not uncommon for an internet connection to run more slowly than is advertised via the provider. Of course, most providers like to be ultimately optimistic about their speeds, which is why you will see the wording of ‘speeds up to’ on the advertising package. Your slow internet may not be a connectivity issue, but instead is running at a speed considered regular for your NBN plan.
Quick fix
A speed test will confirm just how fast your internet connection is in megabits per second (Mbps). You can run a free test online through a variety of speed testing websites (such as Ookla or Google Speedtest); this way you get an accurate read from multiple sources on how well your connection is performing.
It’s worthwhile comparing the results from your speed test against the maximum speed of your internet plan. If you’re on the NBN in Australia, this is easy to check as your NBN provider lists both the maximum speed available on your plan and the typical evening speed you can expect on its website.
For example, the maximum possible speed of Aussie Broadband’s NBN 50 plan is 50Mbps, and its typical evening speed is 50Mbps. If your speed test results are similar to the plan’s typical evening speed listed on your provider’s website (say, within a margin of error of about 5Mbps), then it would appear nothing is wrong – you might just need a faster NBN plan. If you’re now thinking about a faster NBN plan, find a plan with our comparison tool, or check out the table below. If your internet is still so slow, it’s time to investigate further.
The following table shows a selection of sponsored unlimited data Standard Plus Evening Speed (NBN 50), and Premium Evening Speed (NBN 100) plans on Canstar Blue’s database with links to referral partners.
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1 Month Contract (1 month min. cost $84.00) Standard Plus Evening Speed
|
Unlimited Data/month |
$84.00 Cost/month |
Go to site |
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1 Month Contract (1 month min. cost $180.00) Standard Plus Evening Speed
|
Unlimited Data/month |
$60.00 Cost/month |
Go to site |
 |
1 Month Contract (1 month min. cost $95.00) Premium Evening Speed
|
Unlimited Data/month |
$95.00 Cost/month |
Go to site |
Unlimited Standard Plus Evening Speed (NBN 50) Plans
The following table shows a selection of published unlimited Standard Plus Evening Speed (NBN 50) plans on Canstar Blue’s database, listed in order of standard monthly cost (excluding discounts), from the lowest to highest, and then by alphabetical order of provider. Use our comparison tool above to see plans from a range of other providers. This is a selection of products with links to referral partners.
Unlimited Premium Evening Speed (NBN 100) Plans
The table below shows a selection of published unlimited Premium Evening Speed (NBN 100) plans on Canstar Blue’s database, listed in order of monthly cost, from the lowest to highest, and then by alphabetical order of provider. Use our comparison tool to see plans from a range of other providers. This is a selection of products with links to referral partners.
3. You have a virus or malware
If your internet is running at different speeds on different devices, you could have an infected device. Viruses slow down your computer speed because they run in the background and use your computer’s resources to carry out their actions.
Quick fix
Perform a virus scan with your antivirus software. If no viruses are found, consider it an anomaly, re-do the speed test, and continue to troubleshoot.
4. The modem-router needs rebooting
Computers tend to get a bit slow when they are left on for too long. Programs running in the background, hardware scans or start-up programs can build up over a long day of using your computer, and slow it down.
Quick fix
‘Turning it off and on again’ can actually be a simple fix, especially on your modem-router. Click the power button on the back of the modem-router and wait a few moments, then turn it back on again. It’ll take a few minutes for your modem-router to boot back up, but once it’s back live, run the speed-test again and see if it improves.
5. Multiple devices downloading at the same time
Sometimes slow internet can be caused by simultaneous downloads in your home, as the bandwidth is divided between multiple users or devices. For example, if you are downloading a video game and run a speed test, you might notice the speed test result is lower than it should be. This is because a large amount of bandwidth is being allocated to the video game download. The same can be true of background updates for phones, computers and consoles, along with streaming on services like Netflix and Stan.
Quick fix
The simple fix is to stop those downloads. If the problem is automatic updates, consider disabling those on your devices. Once you’ve stopped all the downloads that might be using up bandwidth, run another speed test. If your internet is as fast as it should be, the problem might be fixed. If not, there are more solutions to try.
6. Too many people on the WiFi
It’s somewhat of a myth that too many users on the same WiFi network will slow it down – in fact, a home network can generally handle up to about 45 users at a time. However, if there are too many people downloading at the same time, the internet will slow to a crawl. It might be that your neighbours are using your WiFi, or maybe you’ve handed out the password to a few too many family members and friends.
Quick fix
If you’re a small household but your download speed is struggling, change your password and router name from time to time to make sure you’re the only one using your WiFi.
7. You are too far away from the WiFi signal
If your home internet relies on WiFi, you might notice speed dips depending on where you are in the home. This could be because of two things: one, your modem might not be powerful enough to cover the entire home, and two, objects and walls in your home might be disrupting your WiFi signal.
Quick fix
If you can, try moving your modem-router to a more open space, so that its WiFi range can cover more of the home. While you’re doing this, try moving your modem-router around the home to find the best performing area. This isn’t a viable solution for wired internet types, but is fine for mobile broadband and home wireless broadband.
Try moving around any objects that could be causing the WiFi range to be limited. Once you’ve moved some furniture around, perform another speed test and see if things have improved. Needless to say, keep the modem-router away from objects that could cause interference, such as microwaves, cordless phones, baby monitors and devices that use Bluetooth.
If your internet is still slow, consider buying a new modem-router or, for bigger homes, a mesh WiFi system.
8. It’s a website issue
If you are having trouble accessing one particular website, but are able to visit other websites on the internet, the issue probably doesn’t lie with your connection. Instead, it is probably an issue with that specific website.
Quick fix
Luckily, there are websites (such as Down for Everyone) that can help you. Simply type in the URL or name of the website you are struggling with, and the page will let you know if it’s down for everyone, or just you. If it’s just you, it indicates a problem with your internet, while if it’s everyone, it’s a problem with the website and you’ll just have to wait it out.
9. Your DNS server isn’t getting the job done
A Domain Name Server (DNS) is a service provided by your Internet Service Provider (ISP) which allows you to use the internet. A DNS identifies and maps IP addresses, which are made up of numbers, and translates them into recognisable domain names, like canstarblue.com.au. If your DNS is affected by large amounts of traffic or the cache is corrupted, it won’t function properly and cause your internet to slow down.
Quick fix
Changing your DNS can definitely improve your speed. Typically, when you sign up for an NBN plan you’ll be assigned the DNS server of your ISP, but switching to alternative DNS servers can lead to a faster speed.
How to change your DNS server on a Windows PC
To change your DNS server on a Windows PC:
- Step One: Search for ‘view network connections’ in your Finder search bar
- Step Two: Right click on your internet connection and select Properties
- Step Three: Select IPv4, then Use the Following DNS Server Addresses
From here you can enter the DNS server of your choice. It might be worth looking up a good DNS server, but here is a good one to start with – Google’s own public DNS server. Enter ‘8.8.8.8’ in the primary section and ‘8.8.4.4’ in the secondary section. After changing this over (applying the changes and making sure they save) run another speed test, and see if things improve.
How to change your DNS server on a Mac
To change your DNS server on a Mac:
- Step One: Open System Preferences
- Step Two: Select Network > Advanced > DNS tab
- Step Three: Select the + sign located at the bottom left of the window, to add a new DNS server
From here you can enter the DNS server of your choice. A good one to start with is the Google Public DNS server, which is 8.8.8.8 (with the secondary DNS being 8.8.4.4). Then, click OK, followed by Apply, to save the changes. Run another speed test, and see if the problem is solved.
10. Your modem-router needs a firmware update
Keeping your modem’s firmware up to date is an easy way to avoid slow internet. Firmware is a type of software that allows the programs on your modem to run. Without updated firmware, modems will struggle to perform the tasks required for good internet speeds. Most modems today typically update firmware automatically, but some will still need you to approve updates in the backend.
Quick fix
Simply log on to your modem-router’s website and navigate to the updates section. This section varies from modem to modem, so it might be worth looking up a guide on your specific modem-router. Once this is done, run another speed test, and see if the problem is fixed.
11. Your WiFi channel may be too crowded
If there are lots of modem-routers around your home, as happens in apartment blocks and tightly condensed streets, consider switching your WiFi channel. You can do this on your modem-router’s website. Consider switching to a channel that isn’t busy. There are apps available to help you see what channels are busy, and which channels are available.
Quick fix
Typically, your modem will be assigned to channel one, but you can try switching it to any available channel for better results. Again, finding the WiFi channel settings varies from modem to modem, and isn’t the same for every device, so look up a guide on your specific modem-router. Once you’ve done this, run another speed test, and see if it’s better than before.
12. Your VPN is on
Using a VPN provides you with encryption and security, but those extra layers can also be responsible for slowing down your internet. The extra travel required via VPN and the encryption process both take time and can cause your internet speed to lag.
Quick fix
Disabling your VPN is a simple and effective way to increase your internet speed. Just remember to turn it back on when you are finished.
13. Your Quality-of-Service feature is affecting your internet speed
Most routers offer a Quality of Service (QoS) feature which can help speed up your internet, in one or two places. A QoS throttles the bandwidth on some activities it deems less important and delivers the extra data to high priority internet activities. A QoS can be controlled remotely using optimisation features like traffic prioritisation, congestion control and bandwidth allocation. QoS is particularly useful in areas with high traffic. However, a QoS feature can also be a culprit for poor internet speeds. It can slow down upload speeds as well as general internet use.
Quick fix
If your QoS feature is not turned on, run an internet speed test before you turn it on and another one afterwards. If there is a difference between the results, the QoS is most likely slowing down your computer. You can switch the QoS off on your router.
If your QoS is already turned on, run an internet speed test before and after. If your computer runs more slowly without the QoS, you may need to look elsewhere to find what is making your internet so slow.
Contact your NBN provider
If you have tried everything on this list but are still asking, ‘why is my internet so slow?’ it’s time to contact your NBN provider. The problem could very well be faulty hardware on the NBN provider’s part, such as wiring to the home or a problem with the local node. It could even be something within the home, such as a faulty modem-router or a dodgy ethernet cable. Needless to say, you shouldn’t put up with a service that isn’t working properly.
Your NBN provider will likely spend some time on the phone with you before sending a technician out to analyse the problem. When the technician is sent out, they will investigate the issue, and will have a hands-on idea of what could be wrong with your internet speed.
Don’t try and contact NBN Co directly, as this isn’t how they handle faulty hardware matters. You’ll need to go through your NBN provider first.
Image: Carballo / Shutterstock
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