How can I improve my internet speed? 10 tips to get faster broadband

There are plenty of reasons why your internet might be slow. One of the most common is that too many devices are using the same WiFi at once. If your phone, laptop, TV, and even smart home devices are all connected to the same router, they can crowd the network and slow everything down.

Another reason for slow broadband could be where your WiFi router is placed. If it's tucked away in a corner, behind furniture, or far from where you’re using the internet, the signal can be too weak to give you a stable connection. WiFi signals sometimes struggle to travel through thick walls or large distances, making it harder for the signal to reach your device clearly and ultimately slowing your internet speed down.

Sometimes, your broadband just isn't fast enough for what you're trying to do. The internet speed you get depends on the package you choose, and if you’re sharing the connection with multiple people streaming, gaming and browsing at the same time, you may need to upgrade your broadband package to get faster speeds.

There are lots of things that impact your broadband speed, from the size of your home to the number of people using the internet at the same time.

Here are just some factors you need to consider when it comes to improving your internet speed:

Testing your internet speed is easy! If you’re curious about your speed, use our helpful broadband speed test to check your internet speed and see if it’s fast enough for what you need it for.

Our tool also tells you your speed factors that can impact your online experience, like bandwidth, latency and jitter by mimicking your online activities and testing how long it takes.

If our speed checker says you've got a slow internet speed, there are plenty of things you can do to give your broadband a speed boost.

Here are 10 easy ways to improve your internet speed:

1. Move your router to a better spot

The placement of your router really matters. If it’s hidden behind furniture or stuck in a cupboard, the signal might not be able to reach your device, which in turn causes your speeds to slow down.

Try placing your router in the middle of your home, somewhere open and high up, away from thick walls and electronics. This helps the WiFi reach all corners of the house more evenly, giving you a more stable connection throughout your home.

2. Reduce the number devices connected to the internet

Too many devices using the internet at once can slow everything down. Phones, smart TVs, laptops and even smart plugs all use bandwidth. Disconnect any gadgets you’re not using and limit heavy activities like streaming or gaming to fewer devices at a time. You’ll notice the internet moves faster when fewer things are connected.

3. Use an ethernet when you can

WiFi is convenient, but it’s not always the best option when it comes the internet speed. If you're doing something that needs a stable connection, like working from home or gaming, plug your device directly into the router using an Ethernet cable.

Ethernet connections are generally faster and more reliable than wireless ones since there’s nothing blocking the signal from reaching your device.

4. Restart your router regularly

Just like a computer or phone, your router can benefit from the occasional reboot. Turning it off for a minute and then switching it back on can clear out any glitches and refresh the connection, so restarting your router once a week can help maintain better speed and performance over time.

This is a great way to fix any temporary speed issues, but it probably won’t make much of a difference if there is an issue with your connection that’s impacting your speed.

5. Upgrade your router

If your router is several years old, it might not be able to keep up with modern broadband speeds. Old routers often lack the latest technology needed to support faster internet or handle multiple devices smoothly due to their weaker WiFi range, causing slow or patchy connections in some rooms.

Upgrading to a newer model, ideally one that supports dual-band or mesh systems, can make a noticeable difference to your speed and reliability. All of our broadband deals come with superfast Hub 3, Hub 4, or Hub 5 routers capable of supporting all of the speeds we offer – from 125Mbps to 1Gbps and beyond.

6. Check for background downloads and apps

Sometimes, your internet is slow because something’s running in the background without you knowing. Automatic updates, cloud backups, or open apps can quietly eat up your bandwidth. Close any programmes you’re not using and pause large downloads when you need a faster connection.

7. Use a WiFi booster or mesh system

If some rooms in your house have a weak signal, a WiFi booster or Mesh WiFi system can be a game-changer. These devices spread your signal further so every room gets decent connection, giving you a more stable connection across your home and faster broadband speeds if you’ve got connection issues.

8. Switch to a less crowded WiFi channel

WiFi signals travel on different channels, and if you live in a block of flats or a busy area, your neighbours' networks might be clashing with yours. This can slow your speed without you realising it. Many modern routers can automatically choose the best channel, but you can also change it manually through your router settings.

9. Limit bandwidth-hungry activities

Activities like streaming in 4K, large game downloads, or video calls can take up a lot of bandwidth. If multiple people are doing these things at the same time, your connection can slow right down. Try lowering video quality when streaming and avoid big downloads during important tasks like online meetings. Managing your usage can help your speed stay steady.

10. Upgrade your broadband package

Sometimes, the problem isn’t with your setup, it’s with the speed you’re paying for. Broadband packages are limited to a specific speed you agree on with your provider, meaning you'll only get the maximum speed your plan is capped at.

If you're internet is too time, it may to be time to upgrade your broadband package to get those superfast internet speeds you’re after.

At Virgin Media, we’ve got a range of superfast and ultrafast broadband deals with speeds to suit every home – from 100 Mbps to 1 gbps and beyond. Not sure what you can get? Use our helpful broadband postcode checker to see all of the broadband deals that are available in your area.