Why is my internet slow? 7 common connection issues and how to fix them

Internet playing up? Bold of it, really. You don’t get cheek from the toaster. Then again, when your grill burns your bread, you rarely blame the machine – you appreciate there are typically other factors involved. The same can also be true for your connection.

Before you side-eye your broadband, chances are the issue’s a little closer to home (we won’t mention that 37th browser tab). The good news? Most slow or patchy connection problems are surprisingly easy to fix once you know where to look.

In this guide, we’ll break down the usual suspects behind sluggish WiFi and show you quick, no-nonsense ways to boost your speed and get back to doing your thing.

Slow or unreliable internet isn’t just caused by issues with the network. Before you try to fix your connection issues, you’ll need to check if it’s your device, network or router causing issues. 

The first thing to check is whether the problem is with just one device or all of them. If only one phone, tablet or computer is having trouble, the issue is likely to be with that device. To do this:

• Restart your device to reset the connection

• Turn WiFi on and off again in your device settings

Next, check your router. If the WiFi signal is weak or keeps dropping, try moving closer to the router to see if that makes any difference. You can also try restarting the router by switching it off, waiting for about 30 seconds, and turning it back on to reset the connection. 

If this doesn’t help, you can use our handy broadband speed test. Not only does it test your broadband speed, it can diagnose other issues like latency and jitter. Just click the button below to check your internet speed and see if it’s fast enough for your needs.

Still having connection issues? There are many reasons it could be struggling. Here are 7 common network issues that can affect your internet speed and how to fix them.

1. Slow internet speeds

Your internet speed not being fast enough can happen for a range of reasons. But it’s usually a sign that too many people or devices are using the internet at the same time. It can also happen if some apps are using data in the background without you noticing, you have an older device or the signal between your WiFi router and your device is too weak.

Solution:

1. Remove the power cable from the back of your router (Virgin Media Hub) for 30 seconds, then put it back in

2. Close apps or browser tabs you’re not using

If you're still having speed issues, your current package may not be fast enough for what you want to do online, or there may be a connection problem in your area. If you’re with us, you can check on our service status by popping in your postcode into our service status checker.

2. No internet connection

Not being able to connect to the internet means you can't do anything online – no browsing, no streaming, no messaging. This can happen for several reasons: your modem or router might not be working properly, cables could be loose, or there may be a service outage from your internet provider. Sometimes the problem is with just one device, but other times your entire home might be disconnected.

Solution:

1. Remove the power cable from the back of your router (Virgin Media Hub) for 30 seconds, then put it back in

2. Wait a few minutes for the internet to reconnect

3. Test the connection on a different device

Be sure to check the lights on your Hub too. A flashing or a steady red light could mean that your Hub is offline or has no internet connection. But a green light on Hub 4 and Hub 5 (or magenta on a Hub 3) could mean that the hub has been moved to Modem Only mode which can be adjusted in the settings. Find out more here.

3. WiFi keeps dropping

Your WiFi might be dropping if your internet speed slows down or suddenly stops in short bursts before speeding back up again. There are loads of things that can cause your WiFi to keep dropping, from WiFi signal issues to an unreliable connection, or interference from nearby networks or electronics.

Solution:

1. Move closer to your router (Virgin Media Hub) to see if the signal is stronger

2. Keep the router in a central, open spot in your home – not behind furniture

3. Keep it away from things that might interrupt the signal, like cordless phones or baby monitors

4. Slow internet when lots of devices are connected

When lots of people or devices are using the internet at the same time it puts a strain on your broadband. The connection is shared across everything, so if several devices are using the internet at once, your broadband might not be able to keep up. This is especially noticeable in larger households or during peak hours when everyone is online at once.

Solution:

1. Disconnect anything that’s not needed

2. Turn off internet on devices you’re not using

3. Check for hidden devices using bandwidth (smart TVs, smart speakers, etc)

4. Use your router’s app to see which devices are using the most data

5. Weak WiFi signal

Sometimes your WiFi works great in one room but seems to work more slowly in others. This usually happens when your device is far away from the router. WiFi signals also get weaker the farther they have to travel, and materials like concrete, brick, metal and even water can block or weaken those signals. This can be especially annoying if your bedroom or home office is far from the router.

Solution:

1. Use your device closer to the router (Virgin Media Hub)

2. Move the router to a central spot, off the floor and away from walls

3. Avoid placing the router near large furniture or metal objects

If you're still having problems with your signal, WiFi Pods and mesh WiFi systems are a great way spread the signal to hard-to-reach rooms, especially if you’ve got a large home or thick walls that could be blocking the connection.

6. Interference from other devices

Your WiFi uses radio waves to send data between your router and your devices. But many other everyday things also use radio signals and these can interfere, especially if they’re near your router or your device.

Solution:

1. Keep the router (Virgin Media Hub) away from electronics like microwaves, thermostats, cordless phones, baby monitors, Bluetooth devices and other appliances that may have electric motors

2. Place it in an open, central, elevated location off the floor

3. Switch to the 5GHz band to get a faster connection with less interference

7. Old or faulty equipment

Over time, kit that connects to the internet can get overloaded or buggy, especially if it hasn’t been restarted in a long time. If you haven’t updated your router in a while, it might be running old software that causes problems. Also, an older router may not support the latest WiFi standards or high speeds, even if your broadband package does. Faulty routers can randomly drop the connection or slow it down. If your router is more than five years old or keeps needing to be restarted, it might be time for an upgrade.