Slow Internet Speeds Australia | Fix Slow WiFi & Connection Speed Issues

Quick Speed Test

Before troubleshooting, let's check your current internet speed to establish a baseline.

Run a Speed Test

Test your current download and upload speeds:

Start Speed Test

Understanding Your Results

Download Speed

How fast you can receive data

Good: 25+ Mbps

Upload Speed

How fast you can send data

Good: 5+ Mbps

Ping/Latency

Response time to servers

Good: <20ms

When to Be Concerned

• Consistently getting less than 50% of your plan speed
• Speeds may vary throughout the day
• All devices on your network are slow
• Speed issues persist after basic troubleshooting

Common Causes of Slow Internet

Understanding what causes slow internet speeds helps you identify and fix the issue more effectively.

1. WiFi Interference

Other WiFi networks, electronic devices, and physical obstacles can interfere with your signal.

Signs of WiFi Interference:

• Slow speeds only on WiFi (wired connection is fast)
• Speeds improve when closer to the modem
• Connection drops frequently
• Many WiFi networks visible in your area

2. Too Many Connected Devices

Multiple devices sharing the same connection can slow down your internet speed.

Signs of Device Overload:

• Speeds slow down when more devices connect
• Streaming quality drops with multiple users
• Downloads take longer than expected
• Gaming lag increases with other activity

3. Peak Usage Times

Internet speeds can slow down during peak usage hours (evening and weekends).

Peak Hours:

• Weekday evenings (6-9 PM)
• Weekend afternoons and evenings
• School holidays and public holidays
• Major sporting events or streaming releases

4. Outdated Equipment

Old modems or network cards may not support the latest WiFi standards.

Signs of Outdated Equipment:

• Modem is over 5 years old
• Device doesn't support WiFi 5 or 6
• Can't achieve speeds above 100 Mbps
• Frequent connection issues

5. Background Applications

Applications running in the background can consume bandwidth without you realizing.

Common Bandwidth Hogs:

• Cloud backup services (iCloud, Google Drive)
• Software updates and downloads
• Streaming services on multiple devices
• Online gaming and voice chat
• Video conferencing applications

Solutions for Slow Internet Speeds

Try these solutions in order, starting with the simplest fixes first.

Quick Fixes (Try First)

1. Restart Your Modem

Power cycle your modem to clear any temporary issues:

1. Unplug your modem from power
2. Wait 30 seconds
3. Plug it back in
4. Wait 2-3 minutes for full restart
5. Test your speed again

2. Check for Background Downloads

Close unnecessary applications and check for updates:

• Close streaming apps on unused devices
• Pause cloud backups temporarily
• Check for software updates running
• Close browser tabs with video content

3. Test Different Devices

Determine if the issue is device-specific:

• Test speed on multiple devices
• Try both WiFi and wired connections
• Compare speeds between devices
• Check if specific apps are slow

WiFi Optimisation

Reposition Your Modem

Ideal Placement:

• Central location in your home
• Elevated position (shelf or table)
• Away from walls and metal objects
• Clear of electronic interference

Avoid These Locations:

• Inside cabinets or enclosed spaces
• Near large metal objects
• In direct sunlight or near heat
• Near other electronic devices

Change WiFi Channel

Reduce interference by changing your WiFi channel:

How to Change Channel:

1. Access your modem settings (192.168.1.1)
2. Navigate to WiFi settings
3. Change to channels 1, 6, or 11 (2.4GHz)
4. For 5GHz, choose least congested channel
5. Save settings and restart WiFi

Use 5GHz WiFi

Switch to 5GHz for faster speeds and less interference:

5GHz Benefits:

• Faster speeds
• Less interference
• More channels available

5GHz Limitations:

• Shorter range
• Poorer wall penetration
• Not all devices support it

Advanced Solutions

WiFi Extenders

Extend WiFi coverage to areas with poor signal:

• Place extender halfway between modem and dead zone
• Ensure extender has good signal from main modem
• Use same WiFi name for seamless roaming
• Consider mesh WiFi systems for better performance

Ethernet Connections

Use wired connections for critical devices:

• Connect gaming consoles and smart TVs via ethernet
• Use powerline adapters for hard-to-reach areas
• Wired connections are more stable and faster
• Reduces WiFi congestion

Quality of Service (QoS)

Prioritize important traffic on your network:

• Set gaming and video calls as high priority
• Limit bandwidth for file downloads
• Configure QoS in your modem settings
• Ensures smooth experience for critical applications

When to Contact Support

Contact our support team if:

• Speed issues persist after trying all solutions
• You're consistently getting less than 50% of your plan speed
• Issues affect all devices on your network
• You notice a sudden, unexplained drop in performance
• Wired connections are also slow

Support Contact Information

• Phone: 03 5910 4230
• Email: hello@pulsenet.au
• Have your account number and speed test results ready
• Note what troubleshooting steps you've already tried

Connection Drops

Fix frequent disconnection issues

WiFi Issues

Resolve WiFi connectivity problems

Troubleshooting Guide

Complete troubleshooting overview

Slow Internet Speeds - How to Fix