How to Test and Improve Your Internet Speed: A Complete Guide

A WiFi speed test measures your download speed, upload speed, latency, and packet loss. To get a reliable result, test near your router, pause active downloads, close unnecessary applications, and repeat the test at different times.

The results can help you determine whether slow internet is caused by your broadband connection, WiFi coverage, router placement, connected devices, or network congestion.

Slow internet can interrupt video calls, cause buffering, delay downloads, and reduce productivity. Testing your connection is the first step towards identifying the problem and choosing the right solution.

What Does a WiFi Speed Test Measure?

A WiFi speed test measures four important aspects of your internet connection:

Do not evaluate your connection using download speed alone. Upload speed, latency, and packet loss can also affect your online experience.

How to Run an Accurate Internet Speed Test

You can test your connection using the Hathway WiFi Speed Test or recognised services such as Cloudflare and Ookla Speedtest.

Follow these steps:

• Connect your device to the WiFi network you want to test.
• Move close to the router for the first test.
• Close unnecessary applications and browser tabs.
• Pause downloads, uploads, streaming, and software updates.
• Temporarily reduce heavy internet usage on other devices.
• Run the speed test and record the results.
• Repeat the test two or three times.
• Test again from the room where you normally use the internet.
• Repeat the test during peak and non-peak hours.
• If possible, compare the WiFi result with a wired Ethernet test.

Most speed tests provide results in less than a minute. Avoid relying on a single test because temporary network activity can affect the result.

What Do Your Speed Test Results Mean?

Compare the results from different devices, rooms, and connection methods to identify the likely issue.

WiFi performance can differ from the speed included in your broadband plan because walls, distance, interference, router capability, and connected devices affect the signal reaching your device.

How Can You Improve Slow WiFi?

Reposition the router

Place the router in a central, open, and elevated location. Avoid keeping it behind thick walls, inside a cabinet, near the floor, or behind large furniture.

Reduce wireless interference

Keep the router away from microwave ovens, cordless phones, baby monitors, and other electronics that may interfere with the WiFi signal.

Check connected devices

Multiple devices streaming, gaming, downloading files, or installing updates simultaneously can consume available bandwidth. Disconnect unused devices and pause unnecessary background activity.

Secure the WiFi network

Use a strong password to prevent unauthorised users from accessing your network. Review the list of connected devices regularly.

Use the appropriate WiFi band

A dual-band router supports 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz connections:

• Use 2.4 GHz when you need wider coverage or the signal must pass through walls.
• Use 5 GHz when you need faster performance and the device is relatively close to the router.

Restart and check the equipment

Restart the router and inspect its cables and connections. You can also test another smartphone or laptop to determine whether the problem affects one device or the entire network.

When Should You Contact Your Broadband Provider?

Contact your provider if slow speeds continue after you have restarted the router, reduced background usage, tested different devices, and repeated the speed test.

You should also request support if you regularly experience:

• Speeds significantly below your broadband plan
• Frequent disconnections
• High latency or packet loss
• Video calls that repeatedly freeze
• Buffering across multiple devices
• Poor performance even near the router
• Slow results on both WiFi and Ethernet

Keep screenshots of tests conducted at different times. These results can help the support team identify whether the issue is recurring.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my WiFi speed differ from my broadband plan speed?

The speed included in your broadband plan represents the connection capacity available under that plan. The speed reaching a device over WiFi can be affected by router placement, walls, distance, interference, simultaneous users, router capability, and device compatibility.

What is a good internet speed for streaming?

For a single stream, approximately 5 Mbps can support standard-definition content, 10 Mbps or more is preferable for HD streaming, and around 25 Mbps or more is generally recommended for 4K content. A household with multiple users and devices will require additional bandwidth for simultaneous streaming, gaming, video calls, and browsing.

Should I test my internet speed over WiFi or Ethernet?

Use both methods when possible. An Ethernet test measures the broadband connection more directly, while a WiFi test shows the performance experienced on wireless devices. If Ethernet performs well but WiFi is slow, the issue is more likely related to wireless coverage, interference, or router placement.

How often should I test my internet speed?

Test your internet whenever you experience repeated buffering, slow downloads, gaming lag, interrupted video calls, or unexpected performance issues. Testing at different times can help determine whether the problem is temporary or recurring.

Final Thoughts

A WiFi speed test helps you understand whether slow internet is related to broadband speed, wireless coverage, connected devices, or router performance.

For a dependable assessment, run multiple tests, compare WiFi and Ethernet results, and test from different rooms. If speeds remain consistently below expectations after basic troubleshooting, record the results and contact your broadband provider for support.