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Why is my WiFi speed different on my phone and PC?
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Your WiFi should work seamlessly across all your devices. But, if your phone is faster than your PC, there’s usually a reason. Here’s why it happens and what you can do to speed things up
By Virgin Media Edit
- Published
- 24 April 2026
You’re on the sofa, scrolling through videos on your phone, and everything just works. Smooth streaming, quick videos loading, no interruptions.
Then you open your laptop. Same room, same WiFi, but the speed feels different. It’s a common quirk of home WiFi, and one that catches a lot of people out. While some difference in speed between devices is perfectly normal, it shouldn’t feel like a big gap.
The good news? There’s usually a simple explanation behind it, and even better, there are easy ways to improve it.
Why WiFi speed can be different on your phone and PC
A slight difference in speed between your phone and PC on the same WiFi isn't a glitch. It usually comes down to small differences in how each device connects and runs.
In most cases, your broadband isn’t the issue. Instead, it’s how your devices interact with your home WiFi. Hardware, software, signal strength and background apps can all affect performance, and not every device handles them in the same way.
That doesn’t mean anything is wrong. And more often than not, those differences have a straightforward explanation and an easy fix.
Reasons WiFi speed can be faster on some devices
Small differences in hardware, background activity and how your device connects to WiFi:
Before anything else, it’s worth checking if both devices are using the same WiFi network. Your phone or laptop might be connected to a different network, such as guest WiFi, extenders or nearby hotspots. If that happens, speeds can feel very different straight away.
Where you’re using your phone in the home can also make a big difference. The further you are from your router, or the more walls, floors and obstacles between you, the weaker your signal can become. Small changes in your hub placement can help improve your WiFi connection, especially in bigger homes or thicker walls.
Your PC may be connected via Ethernet while your phone uses WiFi. A wired connection is typically more stable, so differences in connection type can explain why speeds don’t match. If one device is wired and the other is wireless, the difference in connection type alone can explain a speed gap.
Modern smartphones are often built with newer WiFi standards like WiFi 6 or WiFi 6E, alongside smarter antennas and better signal optimisation. PCs may still rely on older network adapters, which can limit performance even on a strong connection.
Device setup can also make a difference. For example, desktop PCs with antennas positioned behind the tower can struggle to maintain a strong signal. So, while your phone is cruising on newer tech, your PC could be stuck in the slow lane without you realising it.
Your PC is rarely only doing one thing. Updates, cloud syncing, and background apps can quietly use bandwidth. Your phone does similar things, but it’s typically far more aggressive about pausing or limiting background activity when you’re actively using it. Laptops typically load full desktop versions of websites, while phones often use mobile-optimised versions that are lighter and quicker to load. Activities like online gaming can also play a part. Sometimes, if things feel slower, it’s not your connection at all, it could be the game server or the service you’re using rather than your WiFi.
Unlike phones, PCs rely on drivers to manage hardware performance. If those drivers are outdated, your WiFi connection can take a hit. Slower speeds, inconsistent performance and connection drops can all come down to software rather than your broadband itself.
How to improve your WiFi speed
In most cases, you can make a few quick adjustments to improve the WiFi speed on your device:
Move closer to your router: Walls, furniture, and distance can weaken your WiFi signal. Sitting closer to the router often results in a faster and more stable connection.
Restart your router: A quick reboot can clear temporary issues, refresh the connection, and help resolve slow speeds or dropouts.
Update your WiFi drivers on your PC: Outdated drivers can cause performance problems or connection issues. Keeping them up to date ensures your device is working as efficiently as possible.
Close unnecessary apps and background downloads: Apps running in the background can quietly use up bandwidth and system resources, slowing everything else down.
Disconnect unused devices: Phones, tablets, smart TVs, and other devices can compete for bandwidth, even when you’re not actively using them.
These small tweaks take just a few minutes but can make a real difference to speed, reliability, and overall performance.
Our WiFi guarantee helps keep every room connected
If you’re seeing differences in WiFi performance around your home, it can sometimes come down to coverage rather than your connection itself.
That’s where our WiFi Guarantee with WiFi Max comes in. It’s our promise that you’ll enjoy download speeds of at least 30Mbps in every room or get £100 bill credit. If needed, we’ll send you up to three WiFi Pods to help extend your signal into those harder-to-reach areas. Working alongside Intelligent WiFi, they adapt to how you use your connection and help keep everything running smoothly across your home.
Get more reliable WiFi across your devices
We’ve been named the UK’s most reliable broadband provider for two years running, driven by continued investment in our fibre network and Intelligent WiFi technology.
Our Intelligent WiFi is designed to adapt to real homes, automatically monitoring performance to help keep every device connected as smoothly as possible. It can help guide devices onto the best WiFi band, reduce interference and keep everything running smoothly.
Not with us yet? Explore our broadband deals and see what’s available where you are.
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