Slow Internet at Home? Check These 7 Things Before You Call Your Provider

Most people blame their broadband provider the moment the internet feels sluggish. In reality, the problem is usually the Wi-Fi signal inside the house — not the connection coming into it.

Before you spend hours on hold (or get talked into a package upgrade you don’t need), work through these seven checks. They solve the vast majority of “slow internet” complaints I see locally in Marple.

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1. Router Position Matters More Than Speed

Routers are often hidden away because they don’t match the décor. Unfortunately, Wi-Fi signals hate being boxed in.

Avoid placing it:

• ❌ On the floor or inside a cupboard
• ❌ Behind the TV
• ❌ Next to the microwave (this causes major interference)

The goal: Chest-height or higher, in open air, as central to the house as possible. Moving a router even one metre can make a noticeable difference.

2. Marple’s Thick Walls Are Wi-Fi Killers

Many older homes in Marple have solid brick or stone internal walls. These are much harder for Wi-Fi signals to penetrate than modern stud walls.

If your “slow room” is an extension, a loft conversion, or simply two walls away from the router, your signal is being physically blocked. No amount of “faster broadband” will fix a signal that can’t get through a stone wall.

3. Your Router Might Be Overloaded

Modern homes often have 20+ devices connected at once — phones, tablets, smart doorbells, TV boxes, printers, and more.

The pro fix: Restart your router (unplug it for 30 seconds, then plug it back in). This clears temporary memory and forces it to re-scan for a clearer wireless channel with less interference from neighbours.

The reality: If things improve briefly but then slow again, your router may simply be too old for a modern household.

4. Extenders vs Mesh: Know the Difference

This is where a lot of people waste money. If you’ve tried extenders and given up, it doesn’t mean your house “can’t do Wi-Fi” — it usually means the wrong tool was used.

(Confused by the options? See our Wifi Tech Rescue page for how we handle this professionally).

5. Check Your Background Data Hogs

Sometimes the internet feels slow because one device is quietly using most of the bandwidth.

Common culprits include:

• Cloud backups: Google Photos or iCloud syncing large videos
• Updates: Automatic Windows, Mac, or console game updates
• Work syncing: Laptops uploading large folders to OneDrive or Dropbox

Pausing downloads temporarily can reveal whether this is the issue.

6. Don’t Ignore Old Cables and Filters

If your broadband comes through a traditional phone socket, check your microfilter (the small white box plugged into the wall). These can degrade over time or be damaged by power surges.

A £5 replacement cable or filter can sometimes solve weeks of frustration — especially if the connection feels unstable rather than just slow.

7. When Is “Faster Broadband” Actually the Answer?

Upgrading your package is the right move only if:

• Your Wired Test shows you aren’t getting the speed you pay for.
• You have a large household streaming 4K video or gaming at the same time.
• You’ve fixed Wi-Fi coverage, but the pipe simply isn’t big enough.

If Wi-Fi is the weak link, fix coverage first — then consider upgrading.