Have you ever noticed your internet connection slows to a crawl when it's pouring outside? It always seems to happen when you're trying to stream a TV show or connect to a video call, which adds to the frustration.
Let's unpack the possible causes so you know why your internet is so slow when it rains (and what you can do about it.)
Severe rainstorms are likely to affect your internet service
You might be affected by heavy rainfall in the following ways:
Physical damage to network: Wild winds and heavy rainfall can damage network infrastructure, leading to spotty connectivity and network outages.
Water seepage: Water seeping into outdoor electrical connections can negatively impact performance.
Wi-Fi signal interference: If your Wi-Fi signal isn't strong, you are more likely to notice the impact of bad weather
Network congestion: When more people are stuck indoors due to bad weather it can put pressure on networks due to the higher demand.
Let's take a look at each of the above.
Rain can easily wreak havoc on old infrastructure
Most Australian households are connected to the NBN for broadband. But because there's no one-size-fits-all approach to the network, the impact of the rain is different depending on the NBN connection type in your home.
FTTN (Fibre to the Node): FTTN connections are more likely to get slow internet during bad weather since these still use quite a bit of old copper wires from the old ADSL build.
FTTC (Fibre to the Curb): FTTC connections are more reliable than FTTN, but they still use inferior copper cables to connect to your home from a distribution point near the kerb. (Don't ask why they used the American "curb" spelling. we have no idea.)
FTTP (Fibre to the Premises): This is the gold standard of NBN connections. The fibre optic cables run directly to your premises and are therefore less likely to be affected by rain. These connections are sometimes called FTTH (Fibre to the Home).
FTTB (Fibre to the building): FTTB is a type of NBN connection designed for apartment blocks or large office buildings. It works similarly to FTTP, but with each apartments or office sharing a central node located somewhere in the building.
FTTN/FTTC connections are more likely to get slow internet during bad weather since these still use quite a bit of old copper wires from the old ADSL build.
Connections built mostly with fibre optic cables like FTTB and FTTP (otherwise known as FTTH) are less likely affected by rain as these have fewer old copper wires.
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During periods of heavy rainfall, the water droplets often make contact with the copper wires in the NBN pits.
Since much of the cabling is underground, moisture can also get trapped in the cables or connectors which can interfere with signal transmission or block them off completely.
Even when the rain clears up, there's a high chance that the cabling could remain damp or retain moisture due to humidity for a long period after. This impacts the internet connection in your home, plus the effects will be extended to your entire neighbourhood or suburb.
Satellite internet is affected by rain the most
Why?
If you're using satellite broadband, your internet connection is even more at the mercy of the weather. This is because the data travels through the air instead of wires buried underground.
For context, the path the data travels goes from the wire you see outside your house all the way to a satellite miles away in space and then back to earth to a station on the ground.
That's a long journey and bad weather can easily block or weaken satellite signals via radio waves. This phenomena is known as rain fade.
Plus, satellite dishes are more exposed to the elements which can result in structural damage during especially bad weather.
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Blaming your Wi-Fi network when it's raining may be a waste of time if it's in fact the Wi-Fi signals travelling to your home that bad weather has disrupted.
There's little your internet provider can do until the skies settle down.
Human behaviour is most likely the main cause of slow internet during bad weather
While wet weather can affect your internet cabling and cause outages, the main reason for your super slow internet is more likely because everybody has decided to stay indoors and jump online, just like you.
This causes an increase in network traffic, meaning more congestion resulting in slower speeds.
How fix bad Wi-Fi
To navigate a spotty internet connection, you could consider some of the following quick solutions:
Free up bandwidth. If your home has lots of devices connected at the same time, the network speed is likely to suffer. To fix the issue, you can use your router's Quality of Service (QoS) settings to assign higher bandwidth to specific apps or devices. Alternatively, consider investing in a mesh Wi-Fi system for improved coverage and capacity.
Get closer to the signal. Is your Wi-Fi router close to a window or wall? Try moving it to a better indoor position to maximise signal strength for connected devices. If that's not an option, you can simply move your device closer to the modem/router during bad weather.
Switch Frequencies. If you're using dual-band Wi-Fi, try switching between 2.4GHz and 5GHz. The 2.4GHz band has a longer wavelength, which makes it better suited to adverse weather conditions. Just be mindful that connections speeds will also be slower.
Have you tried turning it off and on again? IT Crowd jokes aside, switching your modem/router off for 1 minute and then turning it back on again can improve spotty connections.
Frequently asked questions
Yes, heavy rains and storms can affect your Wi-Fi and internet connection. Severe weather could damage your network infrastructure, causing your home Wi-Fi network to disconnect. More people are also online and staying indoors when it rains, causing a general slowdown in internet speeds due to congestion.
Yes, they do. Both extreme heat and high winds can cause physical damage to networking equipment or have them work slower. It's similar to your computer fan not working, which causes the tech to overheat.
Another example is for those living in rural Australia with satellite internet who may feel the consequences as satellite signals have to travel long distances in the atmosphere. Similarly, strong winds can sway or flex satellite dishes.
If your connection slows down when it rains, there are a few troubleshooting steps you can take to try and fix the problem. Restarting your router can often correct network glitches, so try this first. If it doesn't work, try repositioning your router in an elevated position away from walls and windows. Adding a mesh Wi-Fi system to your home network could also fix the problem.
If problems persist, consult your broadband provider and explain the issue. If they have no remedy, it might be time to shop around.
Mariam Gabaji is a journalist with 13 years of experience, specialising in consumer topics like mobile services and energy costs. Her work appears in the ABC, Yahoo Finance, 9News, The Guardian, SBS, 7News, A Current Affair and Money Magazine. Mariam holds a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and was a finalist for the 2024 IT Journalism Award for Best Telecommunications Journalist. See full bio
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Mariam has written 339 Finder guides across topics including:
Chris Jager is a seasoned journalist with over 15 years of experience in the Australian tech industry. He has contributed his expertise to top tech publications like PC World, Gizmodo, Business Insider, and Lifehacker Australia, where he also served as editor for five years. Chris holds a Bachelor of Communications in Journalism from the University of Western Sydney and is widely regarded as a trusted voice in the tech space. See full bio
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Chris has written 24 Finder guides across topics including:
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