)
Easy ways to speed up your broadband
)
Just a few simple tips can supercharge your broadband and set your household up for success
By Virgin Media Edit
- Published
- 17 September 2026
Whether you're streaming the latest blockbuster, catching up on your favourite boxset, joining an important video call or battling it out online, a fast and reliable broadband connection is essential. From working and learning to gaming and entertainment, so much of what we do every day depends on staying connected.
Virgin Media customers already benefit from ultrafast broadband speeds, but even the best connections can sometimes be affected by things like WiFi interference, device settings or where your Hub is positioned in the home. The good news is that there are plenty of simple steps you can take to help improve performance and make the most of the broadband you already have.
Whether you're looking to boost your WiFi signal, speed up your browsing or create a more stable connection for work and gaming, these easy tips can help you get the best possible experience from your broadband.
Here are some of our top ways to give your broadband a speed boost.
Tips to boost your broadband
1. Check if your Hub needs a reboot
If you find your broadband is unusually sluggish, the first port of call should be to power cycle your Virgin Media Hub – in other words, the classic “turn it off and on again” method.
It might seem simplistic, but power cycling your Hub (especially if it hasn’t been done in some time) can help to clear the Hub’s memory and CPU of older and no longer needed data and processing.
)
Simply follow the steps below to give your Hub a spring clean:
On the back of your Hub, turn the A/C power switch into the off position (with the “O” pressed in).
Leave it off for about 10 seconds.
Turn the Hub back on by turning the A/C power switch into the on position (with the “I” pressed in).
The Hub can take five to 10 minutes to reboot. You’ll know the connection is back up and running when there is a steady white light on the front of the Hub. The white light is at the front for a Hub3 and a Hub5. For the Hub4 this will be the light ring around the Hub.
2. Switch to a wired connection
Want to transfer a lot of data at speed? Need to log in to an important video conference call?
While WiFi is convenient, a wired Ethernet connection can deliver a faster and more stable experience. It's particularly useful if you're downloading large files, gaming online or joining an important video call where reliability matters.
)
To connect your device directly to your Hub:
Plug one end of an Ethernet cable into one of the yellow Ethernet ports on the back of your Hub.
If you have a Hub 5, you can use the red 2.5Gbps port to access the full 1,130Mbps speeds available with Gig1 Fibre Broadband. Hub 5X customers can connect to the red 10Gbps port for even higher-capacity wired connections.
Plug the other end of the cable into your computer, games console or other compatible device.
If your device doesn't have an Ethernet port, you can use an Ethernet adapter to connect via USB.
Once connected, you'll have a direct link to your Hub, helping to minimise interference and deliver
3. Move the Hub to a better position
While moving your Hub won't directly increase your speed, where you place your Hub can have a big impact on your broadband performance.
WiFi signals can be weakened by walls, floors and large objects, so if your Hub is tucked away in a cupboard, hidden behind furniture or positioned in a corner of your home, you may not be getting the best possible coverage.
)
For the strongest WiFi signal, try placing your Hub in a central, open location where the signal can reach the areas of your home where you use the internet most. It's also a good idea to keep it off the floor and away from thick walls and other electronic devices that can cause interference.
A few small changes to your Hub's location could help improve WiFi coverage, reduce dead spots and deliver faster, more reliable speeds throughout your home.
Read out full guide on where to position your Virgin Media Hub.
4. Look at your browser
Does your device feel as though it’s lagging? Some web browsers are simply faster than others, so it’s always worth trying a different one.
We know it’s tempting to keep all the tabs open on your browser, but having lots of them at once will slow your broadband down.
)
You can also use browser extensions to help improve your browsing experience and reduce the amount of data your device needs to load. For example, ad-blocking extensions can prevent unwanted adverts from downloading, while data-saving and compression tools can reduce file sizes and help web pages load more efficiently.
Just keep in mind that extensions can vary in quality and effectiveness, so it's worth checking reviews and only installing tools from trusted sources.
5. Clear cache and cookies
Caches and cookies save your browsing data to make it easy to return to the pages you’ve visited online before – but over time, all this stored information can make your device sluggish.
Clearing the data will help optimise your browser’s performance and speed up your broadband (just bear in mind that you’ll need to sign in to your favourite accounts again after you’ve finished).
To see how to clear your PC or Mac, follow our instructions below:
Microsoft Edge
Open your browser settings and clear your browsing data.
Select cached files (and cookies if required), then choose Delete or Clear data.
Once the process is complete, reload your browser.
Google Chrome
Open Settings and go to Clear browsing data.
Select a time range, such as All time.
Choose Cached images and files and Cookies and other site data.
Click Clear data and reload your browser.
Mozilla Firefox
Open Settings and navigate to Privacy & Security.
Select Clear Data.
Choose Cached Web Content and Cookies and Site Data.
Click Clear and reload your browser.
Safari (Mac, iOS)
Open Safari Settings and go to Privacy.
Select Manage Website Data, then Remove All.
To clear cached files, open the Develop menu and select Empty Caches.
Reload your browser.
Still having connection issues?
If you've worked through the steps above and you're still experiencing buffering, frozen video calls or other connectivity issues, it may be worth checking whether you're getting the WiFi coverage you need throughout your home.
With our WiFi Guarantee with WiFi Max, you’ll enjoy download speeds of at least 30Mbps in every room or get £100 bill credit on your next bill. This goes hand in hand with our self-optimising Intelligent WiFi technology that’s loaded onto our Hubs 3, 4, 5 and 5x and adapts to what’s happening in your home to give you the most reliable WiFi, all the time.
Our WiFi Guarantee comes at no extra cost with our Gigabit Broadband packages. If you're on an eligible M50 to M500 Fibre Broadband package, you can add WiFi Max for £8 a month, with your first WiFi Pod included if you need one.
)
)
)
Eligible Virgin Fibre areas only. WiFi Guarantee available with M50 broadband or faster. £8p/m extra or included with Gig1 or Volt. At least 30Mbps download speeds in every room or £100 one-off credit. Up to 3 WiFi Pods if needed. Exclusions & legal stuff apply.
WiFi Guarantee with WiFi Max: Available to Virgin Media residential broadband customers on M50 broadband or faster. Excludes Essential broadband customers. Existing Intelligent WiFi Plus customers will be individually informed when they are moved to WiFi Max. £8 a month add-on or at no extra cost for Ultimate Oomph, Gig1 and Volt customers. WiFi Max is only available to order once your Virgin Media broadband service has been activated. If you don’t get download speeds of at least 30Mbps in every room, if needed we’ll provide up to 3 WiFi Pods. If that still doesn’t do the trick we’ll give you a one-off credit of £100 off your next bill. Guarantee and eligibility for pods does not cover broadband faults or network outages. Pods subject to stock availability, require self-installation via QuickStart and can be delivered via Click & Collect or optional home delivery (£5 delivery charge may apply). Pod type provided may differ from image shown. Improved WiFi performance compared to use without pods. Home environment, device limitations, number of users and time of day may affect WiFi performance. User speed varies and depends on Pod/Hub location, as well as broadband package choice. Equipment remains property of Virgin Media. Exclusions and further terms apply.
