WiFi Slow on One Device
Answer a couple of questions and get the exact fix.
When is your internet slow?
Why does this happen?
Slow WiFi is either one device, the whole network, or your ISP. Run a speed test on the slow device and your phone side by side — the pattern tells you which category you're in, and the fixer below handles each one.
Common causes
- Background downloads or updates on the slow device.
- Distance and walls weakening the signal.
- Too many devices sharing the bandwidth.
- An ISP or plan limitation.
Symptoms
- One device is slow while others are fast.
- Slow only when far from the router.
- Slow everywhere on the network.
- Slow even with a cable plugged in.
Frequently asked questions
Why is my WiFi slow on one device only?
Restart the device and check for background downloads. Try the 5GHz band if your router offers it — it's faster over short distances.
How do I know if it's my ISP?
Plug a cable straight into the modem and test. If it's slow there too, the problem is your provider, not your WiFi.