If download speed is low
- Move closer to the router and test again
- Pause large downloads and updates
- Restart the router and modem
- Compare results on Ethernet if possible
Wi-Fi Troubleshooting
How to fix slow Wi-Fi
Slow Wi-Fi can come from weak signal, network congestion, poor router placement, ISP issues, or unstable latency. The best fix depends on what the speed test actually shows.
Start with the right test
Before changing settings, run multiple tests in the same room, near the router, and in the place where the problem usually happens. Compare download speed, upload speed, ping, jitter, and packet loss instead of looking only at Mbps.
If ping or jitter is high
- Reduce background traffic on the network
- Use a less congested Wi-Fi band
- Test at another time of day to check congestion
- Try a different server to compare routing quality
If packet loss is present
- Check signal strength and router placement
- Restart equipment and test multiple devices
- Try Ethernet to isolate Wi-Fi problems
- Contact your ISP if loss persists across repeated tests
If only one room is slow
- The issue may be coverage rather than broadband speed
- Walls, distance, and interference can lower performance
- Compare signal strength and test history across rooms
- Consider router placement before changing providers
A simple slow Wi-Fi checklist
- Run a speed test in the exact spot where the issue happens.
- Repeat the test near the router.
- Compare ping, jitter, and packet loss, not just download speed.
- Pause heavy traffic and test again.
- Restart equipment and compare results over time.
When to contact your ISP
If repeated tests show low speeds, high packet loss, or unstable latency across different devices and times, the problem may be outside your home network.
Use LizSpeedTest to compare results
LizSpeedTest helps you compare repeated Wi-Fi checks, spot trends, and understand whether your issue is slow throughput, unstable latency, or connection loss.