How to Improve Your Broadband Speed: 8 Practical Steps
Published 24th of August 2023·Updated 9 April 2026
Reviewed by: Reviewed for accuracy April 2026
You can often improve your broadband speed without spending a penny, simply by repositioning your router, switching from Wi-Fi to an ethernet cable, or restarting your equipment. If those fixes do not help, the problem may lie with your package, your provider's infrastructure, or the line coming into your home.
Short Summary
Start by running a speed test at speedtest.net. If your result is significantly below the speed your provider advertised when you signed up, you have grounds to request a fix or leave your contract under Ofcom rules.
Router placement makes a bigger difference than most people realise. A router tucked behind a TV or inside a cupboard can lose 30-50 per cent of its signal strength before it reaches your devices.
If your broadband line is more than a few years old, the master phone socket and internal wiring may be slowing you down. A BT Openreach engineer can test the line from the street to rule out physical faults.
Upgrading from ADSL to fibre, or from part-fibre (FTTC) to full-fibre (FTTP), will deliver a meaningful speed improvement that no amount of router tweaking can match.
Step 1: Run a speed test and know your baseline
Before doing anything else, measure your current speed. Visit speedtest.net or fast.com and run a test. Note the download speed, upload speed, and ping (latency). Run the test at different times of day, including weekday evenings, as network congestion often slows speeds between 7pm and 10pm.
Compare your result to the guaranteed minimum speed your provider stated at sign-up (check your welcome email or contract). If your actual speed is consistently below that figure, contact your provider and ask them to investigate.
Step 2: Reposition your router
Your router should sit in the open, ideally in a central location in your home, away from thick walls, metal objects, and appliances such as microwaves and cordless phone bases. These all interfere with Wi-Fi signals.
Placing your router on a shelf at waist height, rather than on the floor or inside a cabinet, improves signal distribution. If your router sits at one end of the house but you work at the other end, the signal will be weaker by the time it reaches you.
Step 3: Use an ethernet cable instead of Wi-Fi
Connecting your device directly to your router with an ethernet cable removes Wi-Fi interference entirely and almost always delivers faster, more stable speeds. This is particularly useful for video calls, online gaming, and large file downloads.
Most modern laptops have a USB-C port rather than an ethernet port; a USB-C to ethernet adaptor costs around £10-£15 and is widely available. If running a cable across the room is impractical, a powerline adaptor uses your home's electrical wiring to carry a network signal and costs around £30-£50 for a pair.
Step 4: Restart your router
Routers can develop minor faults over time that slow performance. Restarting yours takes two minutes and often produces a measurable improvement. Switch it off at the wall, wait 30 seconds, and switch it back on. Wait two minutes before testing your speed again.
Some routers benefit from being restarted once a week. Check your router's settings page (usually accessed by typing 192.168.1.1 into your browser) to see whether you can schedule automatic restarts.
Step 5: Check for interference and update your router firmware
If several Wi-Fi networks from neighbouring properties overlap with yours, they can slow your connection. Log into your router settings and try switching your Wi-Fi channel. Most modern routers do this automatically, but older models may benefit from a manual adjustment.
Router firmware updates fix bugs and often improve performance. Log into your router's settings page and look for a firmware or software update option. Many ISP-supplied routers update automatically, but some require manual action.
Step 6: Identify bandwidth-heavy devices and applications
Smart TVs, games consoles, and security cameras can all use significant bandwidth in the background. Check your router's connected devices list and consider whether any are downloading updates or streaming data unexpectedly.
On a Windows PC, the Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc, then the Performance tab) shows how much of your network connection is in use. On a Mac, open Activity Monitor and check the Network tab.
Step 7: Upgrade your broadband package or technology
If your line is performing as expected but the speed is still not fast enough for your needs, you need a faster package or connection type. Moving from ADSL (10-20 Mbps) to fibre (35-70 Mbps) is the most common upgrade and is now available to the majority of UK homes.
Check your postcode on Uswitch or MoneySuperMarket to see what speeds and packages are available at your address. Full-fibre (FTTP) packages from BT, Sky, Vodafone, and smaller providers including Zen Internet and KCOM offer speeds from 100 Mbps to 1 Gbps in areas where infrastructure has been laid.
| Broadband type | Typical speed | Best suited for |
|---|---|---|
| ADSL | 10-20 Mbps | Light browsing and email |
| FTTC (part-fibre) | 35-80 Mbps | Most households |
| FTTP (full-fibre) | 100 Mbps - 1 Gbps | Heavy users, home workers, gamers |
| 4G/5G home broadband | 50-300 Mbps | Areas with limited fixed-line options |
Step 8: Contact your provider or consider switching
If you have tried the steps above and your speed is still below the guaranteed minimum, phone your provider. Ask for a line test and, if needed, an engineer visit. Under Ofcom rules, if your speed remains below the guaranteed minimum after your provider has had a reasonable opportunity to fix it, you can exit your contract without an early termination charge.
Use a comparison site to check whether a faster or cheaper deal is available. Loyalty rarely pays; new customer deals from providers including Sky, BT, and Virgin Media are often significantly cheaper than what existing customers pay.
FAQ
Why is my broadband slow only in the evenings?
Evening slowdowns between 7pm and 10pm are usually caused by network congestion. All the customers on your local network use it simultaneously, and if your provider has not invested enough capacity, speeds drop. Check Ofcom's broadband performance reports to see how your provider compares for peak-time speeds.
Can a new router improve my broadband speed?
A better router can improve Wi-Fi performance within your home, but it cannot increase the speed of the line coming in from the street. If your issue is weak Wi-Fi signal, a mesh Wi-Fi system (such as those from Eero, BT Halo, or Google Nest) can extend coverage. If your issue is overall slow speeds, the line itself needs addressing.
How do I know if my broadband is underperforming?
Compare your speed test result to the guaranteed minimum speed your provider stated at sign-up. If your actual speed is consistently lower, your broadband is underperforming. Contact your provider and quote the Ofcom automatic compensation rules, which entitle you to a fix or exit from your contract.
What is the fastest type of broadband available in the UK?
Full-fibre (FTTP) broadband delivers the fastest speeds, with gigabit packages (1,000 Mbps) available from providers including BT, Virgin Media, and Zen Internet in areas with the necessary infrastructure. Coverage is expanding rapidly under the government's Project Gigabit programme.
Does the age of my router affect broadband speed?
Yes. Routers more than five or six years old may use older Wi-Fi standards (such as Wi-Fi 4 or 5) that are slower than current devices expect, and they may not manage multiple connected devices efficiently. If your router is more than five years old, it is worth asking your provider for an upgrade or buying a modern third-party router.