Why is my internet so slow?

Internet congestion is the main culprit, but old hardware could be slowing you down among other things. Keep reading for tips!

Network congestion, outages and damaged equipment can all cause your internet connection to slow down.

We've narrowed down six reasons for slow internet speeds and possible fixes further down in the guide.

1. Internet congestion

In most cases, a slow connection is due to internet congestion.

The cables that make up the NBN have limited capacity, like lanes of traffic on a highway. The more connections you have at the same time – or cars on the highway – the slower everything moves.

During peak hours, when large numbers of people are online at once, your connection will slow down simply because other people are clogging the network with their uploads and downloads.

2. Distance to your modem

If you're on a Wi-Fi connection like most people, the further you are from your modem, the weaker your signal.

Wi-Fi signals can become weak and patchy due to distance or blocking objects (like walls) between you and the modem. Weak signals mean slow or unreliable connections.

3. Old or damaged equipment

Outdated or damaged modems and cables may not support fast signals.

Outdated software or network drivers can lead to compatibility issues between your device and your hardware.

4. Low bandwidth

Internet bandwidth works a bit like a water pipe.

The more people using your connection at the same time, the slower it gets for everyone.

If your connection has a maximum bandwidth of 50Mbps and three people are streaming video, they have to share that bandwidth, meaning each one only gets a portion.

The more data-intensive their activities, the greater the strain on your connection.

5. Background applications

Background applications can act like another user and hog your bandwidth, slowing down your connection.

Programs like Windows Update or game launchers may automatically download patches or updates without asking you, hurting your Internet speed.

6. Too many devices

Having too many devices with Wi-Fi or Bluetooth all looking for the same signal can cause interference and prevent that signal from properly reaching any of them.

It can be caused by devices in your own home or even your neighbour's house if they have Wi-Fi on the same channel as yours.

While there are plenty of potential causes for slow internet, you don't have to sit there and accept it.

There are a lot of ways to make your internet faster, which we'll cover in detail shortly.

If your internet usage has increased, you're connecting more devices, or multiple people in your household are online at once, you might need a faster plan. In that case, check out broadband plans on Finder, or start by looking at recommended speed tiers based on your household size and internet habits.

How do I know what counts as slow internet speeds?

Start by running a speed test to check your download and upload speeds.

Then, compare these results to the expected speeds for your internet plan.

If you know what speed tier you're on, you can also check your provider's typical evening speeds (7-11pm) to see if they match what you're getting.

If you aren't sure what plan you're on, it should be listed on your most recent internet bill or your online account with your provider.

Here's a look at typical evening download speeds for fixed-line NBN plans in our database:

Speed tierAverage typical evening speed on FinderMinimum speedMaximum speed
NBN 12 (Basic I)11Mbps10Mbps12Mbps
NBN 25 (Basic II)24Mbps18Mbps25Mbps
NBN 50 (Standard)48Mbps38.5Mbps50Mbps
NBN 100 (Fast)95Mbps77Mbps100Mbps
NBN 250 (Superfast)241Mbps205Mbps250Mbps
NBN 1000 (Ultrafast)780Mbps600Mbps930Mbps

How do I speed up my internet connection?

Just as there are many causes for a slow connection, there are plenty of possible fixes. Here are six steps that might help:

Check your hardware

Run a speed test on several devices in the same room to see if all of them have the same issue.

If only one of them is having problems, then the issue is likely with that device. However, you could always try turning your modem on and off again as a hail mary. Quick resets help sometimes.

Consider a new modem

If the internet is slow on all your devices, the issue could be with your modem.

Check for damaged cables or loose connections, and consider upgrading your modem if it's outdated or not compatible with higher NBN speed tiers.

Try improving your Wi-Fi signal

Wi-Fi can be a hassle, but you can improve your signal by moving your modem closer to your devices, ensuring a clear line of sight, and reducing interference.

If that doesn't help, try changing your Wi-Fi channel or connecting your device directly with an ethernet cable for a more reliable connection.

Give device-specific fixes a go

When your connection is running slowly on a single device, try closing background apps or programs, checking for viruses or updating your drivers.

Drivers are the software responsible for making your hardware work properly.

Newer network drivers will help your device cope better with Wi-Fi than outdated ones.

Contact your provider

Sometimes, the problem isn't at your end but your provider's.

Give them a call and explain what's going on. It might be a fault line to your house or something going wrong with how your network is set up.

Are you happy with your internet speed?

31% of Australians are extremely satisfied with their broadband speeds and 47% are somewhat satisfied, according to our consumer sentiment tracker (November 2024). Tasmanians had the highest number of people very satisfied with their internet speed (32%). Somewhat surprisingly, 33% of people in regional locations were extremely satisfied with their internet speeds compared to only 30% in metro areas.

Frequently asked questions


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Sam Baran is a writer for Finder, covering topics across the tech, telco and utilities sectors. They enjoy decrypting technical jargon and helping people compare complex products easily. When they aren't writing, you'll find Sam's head buried in a book or working on their latest short story. Sam has a Bachelor of Advanced Science from the University of Sydney. See full bio

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2 Responses

    Default Gravatar
    ChristopherFebruary 20, 2016

    Kind of useless, my ISP has acknowledged the congestion and just said that there are no plans of an upgrade. They’re just leaving it as is, only problem is. the congestion isn’t just peak hours of the night its from about 8am-2am through the week, and pretty much all hours of the weekend. I’m on the maximum priced 100/40 plan and their offer to fix it, is to discount me $20 from one bill….

      Default Gravatar
      BrodieFebruary 24, 2016

      Hi Christopher,

      Sounds quite frustrating. What kind of speeds are you seeing for uploads and downloads? If you can’t reach a solution past a $20 credit with your provider I would recommend contacting them via their Facebook or Twitter. You’re much more likely to get a speedy response, and hopefully, resolution that way.

      All the best,
      Brodie

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