Slow Wi-Fi is a familiar problem for almost everyone. There are dozens of reasons for slow Wi-Fi , and half of them are likely hidden in places you least expect. To understand the true causes of slowdowns, aif.ru turned to experts.
What are the main reasons for slow Wi-Fi speed?
The first thing Petr Osetrov, a software engineer and expert in information security, computer networks, and personal data leaks , advises paying attention to is problems with your internet service provider . “In this case, it makes sense to contact them or wait,” Osetrov explains. How can you rule out this possibility? He recommends connecting directly to the router via a twisted pair cable: “If the speed has returned to normal, then the problem is with your Wi-Fi, not your internet service provider.” He also adds that you can check the ping on the local network to the router. “If it’s high (more than 10 ms), then this also indicates problems on your end.” The mechanics of checking depend on the user’s operating system. “If it’s Windows, launch cmd (command prompt) from the Start panel (or press Win+R and enter cmd) and enter ‘ping [ip_address]’, where [ip_address] is the IP address of your router. “Usually it’s 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1. This is the same address you use to access your router settings. On macOS or Linux, the steps are similar, but instead of cmd, you need to launch “terminal” (it’s the same thing, just called differently). This command will show the ping (the response time from the client to the server and back),” he explained.
Another possible cause is damage to the provider’s input cable. According to the expert, this could result in a connection that remains generally available, but unstable and/or slow. “In this case, you’ll need to call in service technicians from the provider to repair or replace it,” he explains.
The third reason is the router’s lack of support for modern Wi-Fi standards, such as 5 GHz. In this case, according to aif.ru’s source, the only solution is to replace it with a new one. He also recommends the same approach if the router is physically worn out: “It happens with any technology that over time it begins to degrade and operate ineffectively. Only a replacement will help.”
“Suboptimal settings,” Osetrov continues, “are also a common problem.” For example, a router has several operating modes, such as b/g/n/ac/ax and others. “Some of them deliver very modest speeds—around 11 Mbps,” he warns. “When selecting a mode, you need to ensure that the user’s equipment (phone, laptop, etc.) supports more modern standards.” Another issue: too many active users are connected to the router, and the speed is simply “not enough” for everyone. The solution, according to the expert, could be to disconnect some clients or purchase a more powerful router.
Osetrov places particular emphasis on the high level of noise in the radio frequency spectrum. “This is especially relevant in apartment buildings, where there’s a lot of interference from other apartments,” he notes. Switching from 2.4 GHz to 5 GHz or testing different channels and their widths can help.
“All of this can usually be found in your router’s settings,” the expert says. “But keep in mind: the 5 GHz signal has a weaker range than 2.4 GHz—it’s a matter of propagation physics.” Finally, the expert cites a poor signal between the user and the router. “In this case,” he concludes, “either a more powerful transmitter (a new router or repeater) is needed, or the distance needs to be reduced and radio transparency improved—by eliminating walls, etc.”
Can wireless internet speed be affected by restrictions or viruses?
Ivan Ivanov, CEO of a Russian software development company, answered this question for aif.ru.
As the expert explained, telecom operators may limit overall internet access speeds for various reasons (permanent or temporary). Moreover, he noted, providers often block or slow down specific resources—for example, in accordance with Roskomnadzor’s (Roskomnadzor) requirements.
How can you tell what exactly happened? “If a resource is blocked, the provider usually displays a warning instead of the web page,” Ivanov explains. He emphasizes that technical issues can always be inquired about by contacting technical support, who will also provide a scheduled fix date.
The next thing aif.ru’s interviewee points out is an active VPN. Imagine this: you don’t turn off the VPN on your device, and the service itself doesn’t support split-tunneling. In this situation, as Ivanov notes, all your traffic doesn’t go directly to network resources; it essentially takes a double or even triple path inside the VPN. The result is tragic: the download speed of such resources can drop significantly.
Finally, software issues on client devices play a significant role. Two possibilities exist here: on the one hand, the use of outdated software (for example, old browser versions). On the other, the presence of viruses, which is much more serious. “Viruses often turn a device into a bot,” he explains. “They are combined into an externally controlled network for DDoS attacks.” The malware, according to the expert, simultaneously consumes a huge amount of computing resources and almost completely occupies the network bandwidth. “As a result, it effectively blocks internet access for other devices or applications,” Ivanov concludes.
