10 Top Tips to improve slow internet speeds

Your plan

The speed of plan you choose from your internet service provider is the single most important factor affecting overall internet speed.
Choosing a plan that suits your needs and household size is crucial for optimal internet speed.
You may have a lower speed plan than you require. Click here for CRISP Plans - Click here to request change of plan

Number of connected devices

When too many devices share the same bandwidth (e.g. many users streaming HD content simultaneously) data flow may become limited and result in slower speeds across each user or device.

Say for example you have a 25Mbps plan, and there are 5 devices using wifi in your household, this means that effectively they’ll each only be able to achieve (roughly) a speed of 5Mbps per device. This is why selecting the right plan for your household is so important.

Location of Router

Capability of the hardware including Wi-FI enabled devices and ethernet cables. These tips will help you choose a good spot for your modem:

- A clear, elevated space near a window is ideal.
- Avoid direct sunlight as this can cause your modem to overheat.
- Placing the modem on the floor or in a cupboard may cause a weak signal.
- You don’t have to use the same spot as your old modem for NBN or other broadband services.
- You can try different spots if your first spot isn’t giving you a strong signal.

You experience a weak Wi-Fi signal when you’re too far from your router, when the signal is forced to pass through obstructive materials, or when other Wi-Fi networks and electronic devices introduce interference. You can fix it by extending your Wi-Fi range, choosing a better spot for your router, or adjusting your router’s settings.

Interference

Predicted and actual coverage may vary due to the nature of radio based mobile networks and other factors at any specific location, such as distance from the network base station, building materials, and geographic features (hills, buildings and trees etc.).

Wi-Fi signal quality may vary due to the number of devices connected, distance from router, router proximity to indoor plants/metal objects, connection to 5GHz/2.4GHz Wi-Fi network and any obstacles between devices and modem.

When our technicians installed your service, there may have been some trimming of local trees required that was interfering with your line of sight. Over winter in particular, with the wet weather making things grow fast. This can sometimes be the number one culprit for slow speeds with your service.

Update your devices

It’s not always your internet connection that’s causing the slowdowns, it could be one or more of your devices.

If your slowdowns are limited to certain devices, you should start your troubleshooting efforts with those devices rather than your internet connection; sometimes, they just need a simple restart or an update

Direct Ethernet Connection

Connect a computer directly to the router via a network (ethernet) cable. If you do not have an ethernet port on your laptop, you will need a USB adaptor. Doing this first will quickly rule out possible WiFi related issues. Wireless connections can impact speed and create dropouts.

Damaged or loose network cables

Damaged or loose Ethernet and coaxial cables can cause major slow downs and interruptions. Your cables may not be connected probably or damaged from excess stress, kinks, or even chewing from pets or vermin.

Viruses or Malware on your device

Malware in action can consume a substantial amount of your computer's memory, leaving limited resources for other legitimate programs to use.
This can lead to extremely sluggish performance of vital programs, like your Internet browser or operating system and a slow PC overall.

Which content is being accessed

There may be particular issues affecting a specific website or online game (e.g. insufficient server capacity).

The weather

Extreme heat or rain at premises or tower location can impact the speed of your service.

10 Tips for Faster Internet

Performance tips to improve slow speeds

Your plan

Number of connected devices

Location of Router

Interference

Update your devices

Direct Ethernet Connection

Damaged or loose network cables

Viruses or Malware on your device

Which content is being accessed

The weather

Support Help Centre

No Internet Connection

Network Status

Talk to a Team Member

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