# How to Troubleshoot Slow WiFi at Home

## Why your WiFi feels slow even when your plan is fast

Paying for a high-speed internet plan doesn't guarantee a fast experience in every room of your home. WiFi speed and internet speed are related but not identical. Here's a practical order to work through when your WiFi feels sluggish.

## Step 1: Confirm it's WiFi, not your internet plan

Connect a laptop directly to your modem or router with an ethernet cable and run a speed test. If wired speeds match your plan but WiFi speeds are much lower, the problem is your wireless setup, not your provider.

## Step 2: Restart your equipment properly

Unplug your modem and router, wait 30 seconds, then plug the modem back in first and let it fully reconnect before powering the router.

## Step 3: Check for interference and placement issues

Keep your router elevated and away from walls, metal cabinets, and large appliances. Microwaves and cordless phones can cause dropouts.

## Step 4: Separate your bands if your router allows it

Most routers broadcast both 2.4GHz and 5GHz. Try manually choosing 5GHz for devices near the router and 2.4GHz for devices farther away.

## Step 5: Count your connected devices

Smart TVs, doorbell cameras, and thermostats all quietly consume bandwidth. A mesh WiFi system spreads that load more evenly than a single router.

## When it's time to call your provider

If speeds are still inconsistent after these steps, ask your provider to check line quality on their end. If you're evaluating providers in Alberta, BigWiFi supports fiber, fixed wireless, and bundled plans.