When your broadband feels slow take a speed test!

Before you blame the WiFi, it’s worth running a proper speed test. A quick test done at the wrong time, or on the wrong device, can give wildly inaccurate results and make your connection look worse than it really is.

Here’s how to test your broadband speed properly so you get results you can actually trust.

1. Restart your modem first

It sounds simple, but it works surprisingly often. Turn your modem off, wait 30 seconds, then switch it back on and let everything reconnect fully before testing.

2. Disconnect extra devices

If someone’s streaming Netflix, gaming online, backing up photos or downloading huge files, your speed test won’t reflect your true connection speed.

For the most accurate result:

• Pause downloads and streaming
• Disconnect devices you’re not using
• Ask the household to avoid the internet for a few minutes

3. Stand close to the modem

WiFi strength drops through walls, floors and even mirrors. If you test from the far end of the house, you’re testing your WiFi coverage as much as your broadband.

Try running the test:

• In the same room as the modem
• On both WiFi and a wired connection if possible

4. Use a trusted speed test site

There are plenty online, but some are more reliable than others. Popular options include:

• Speedtest by Ookla
• Fast.com
• Your broadband provider’s own test tool

Run the test a few times at different times of day to spot patterns.

5. Understand the numbers

A speed test usually shows three main results:

Download speed
How quickly you receive content like videos, websites and music.

Upload speed
How quickly you send things like emails, photos and video calls.

Ping (latency)
How responsive your connection is. Lower is better, especially for gaming and video calls.

6. Don’t expect exact advertised speeds

Broadband plans show “up to” speeds because real-world performance depends on:

• WiFi strength
• Device age
• Peak-time congestion
• Home layout
• How many people are online

A wired connection will almost always test faster than WiFi.

7. Still getting slow speeds?

If your results are consistently much lower than expected, it could be:

• An old modem
• Poor WiFi placement
• Too many connected devices
• A fault on the line
• Time for a faster plan

A proper speed test gives you the evidence you need before troubleshooting further or reaching out for support from your provider.