If your internet is fine near the router but slow or patchy in other rooms, the problem is usually Wi-Fi coverage, not your connection. This page explains how to get better Wi-Fi around your home.

Not sure whether it’s your Wi-Fi? Test with a computer plugged into the router with a cable. If that’s fast and Wi-Fi isn’t, it’s the Wi-Fi. See improving slow internet speeds.

Put your router in the right place

Where your router sits makes the biggest difference, and it’s free to fix.

  • Central and high. Put it near the middle of your home, on a shelf or table, not on the floor.
  • In the open. Keep it out of cupboards, cabinets and corners, and away from the TV.
  • Away from thick walls and metal. Brick, concrete, mirrors, fridges and fish tanks all block Wi-Fi.
  • Away from other electronics. Microwaves, cordless phones and baby monitors can interfere.

Your router has to plug into your connection box or phone socket, which may be in a garage or cupboard. A longer Ethernet cable lets you move the router to a better spot.

2.4 GHz or 5 GHz?

Most routers broadcast two kinds of Wi-Fi, and newer ones also have 6 GHz.

Band Range Speed Best for
2.4 GHz Longest, gets through walls best Slowest Devices far from the router, and smart home gadgets
5 GHz Shorter Much faster Streaming, gaming and video calls near the router
6 GHz Shortest Fastest Newer devices in the same room as the router

Many routers combine the bands under one Wi-Fi name and move your devices between them automatically. That doesn’t always work well: a phone or laptop can hang on to slow 2.4 GHz even when it’s close enough for 5 GHz. If your device is stuck on a slow connection, turning Wi-Fi off and on again on the device often helps.

Our recommendation: give each band its own name

If your devices often end up on slow Wi-Fi, give 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz separate Wi-Fi names (SSIDs), like Smith-2.4 and Smith-5G. Then you choose which one each device uses, and you can make sure your phones, laptops, TVs and games consoles are on fast 5 GHz.

The steps differ between routers, but they usually go like this:

  1. Open your router’s settings. Use its app, or open a web browser and go to the address on the router’s label (often 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1), and log in with the details on the label. Our router setup guides show where to find them on popular routers.
  2. Go to the Wi-Fi settings. Look for Wireless, Wi-Fi or WLAN.
  3. Turn off band combining. It has different names on different routers: Smart Connect, Band Steering, Combine bands, One SSID or Dual-band single SSID. Once it’s off, you can set each band separately.
  4. Name each band. Keep your current Wi-Fi name on 2.4 GHz, so smart home gadgets, which often only work on 2.4 GHz, stay connected without being set up again. Give 5 GHz a new name, like your current name with -5G on the end. You can use the same password for both.
  5. Save. The router may restart its Wi-Fi, and your devices disconnect for a minute.
  6. Move your devices to 5 GHz. On each phone, laptop, TV or console, choose the new 5 GHz name and enter the password. Then tell it to forget the 2.4 GHz name, so it doesn’t switch back.

Devices too far from the router for 5 GHz can stay on 2.4 GHz. If one keeps dropping off 5 GHz in a far room, that room needs better coverage: see below.

Some mesh systems, including eero, don’t let you split the bands. That’s fine: mesh units are close enough together that your devices get 5 GHz anyway.

When one router isn’t enough

In a large or multi-storey home, or one with brick or concrete walls, a single router may not reach every room.

  • Mesh Wi-Fi uses two or more units placed around your home that work together as one Wi-Fi network, so your devices stay connected as you move. It’s the best fix for most homes. Put each unit about halfway between the router and where you need Wi-Fi: too far away and it won’t have a strong enough signal to pass on.
  • Wi-Fi extenders are cheaper, but usually slower than mesh, and often create a second Wi-Fi name.
  • A cable is still fastest. Plug in devices that don’t move, like a TV, games console or desktop computer, with an Ethernet cable.

Buying a mesh system? Check it works on your network first: see routers that work on your network. We have setup guides for mesh systems including the TP-Link Deco BE5000, ASUS ZenWiFi AX Mini and eero. You can also buy one from our hardware store.

Set up guest Wi-Fi

Guest Wi-Fi is a separate Wi-Fi network for visitors. They get internet access without your main Wi-Fi password, and without access to your own devices, like computers, printers and cameras.

Most routers and mesh systems let you turn it on in their app or settings page, often under Guest network or Guest Wi-Fi. Give it its own name and password, and change the password from time to time.

Keep your Wi-Fi secure

  • Use WPA2 or WPA3 security, with a strong Wi-Fi password that isn’t the one on the router’s label.
  • Change the password for the router’s settings page from the default.
  • Keep your router’s software up to date. Many routers update automatically: check it’s turned on.