Slow WiFi speeds can be extremely frustrating, especially when you are trying to stream videos, download files, play online games, or browse the internet smoothly. If your internet is lagging, freezing, or loading pages slowly on your phone, you’re not alone—WiFi performance issues affect millions of Android and iPhone users every day. In this complete guide, we will walk you through every possible cause of slow WiFi and explain exactly how to fix it step by step. Whether the problem is your phone, your router, or your internet provider, these solutions will help you get your WiFi back to full speed.
1. Restart Your Phone and Router
This may sound simple, but restarting both your phone and router solves most WiFi speed issues. Routers develop temporary glitches, overloaded memory, and software bugs over time. Restarting refreshes the entire network.
Steps:
- Turn off your phone
- Unplug your router for 30 seconds
- Plug router back in
- Wait 1–2 minutes until WiFi reconnects
If your WiFi speeds improve after the restart, the router or phone had temporary software issues causing slow performance.
2. Move Closer to the Router
WiFi signals weaken as you move farther away from the router. Walls, floors, furniture, mirrors, or appliances can block or weaken the signal. The result? Slow speeds, buffering, and lag.
Fix:
- Move closer to the router
- Remove physical obstructions
- Avoid connecting through multiple walls
If the speed improves when you are closer, distance or interference is the issue.
3. Forget and Reconnect to the WiFi Network
Corrupted WiFi settings cause slow or unstable speeds.
To fix it:
- Settings → WiFi
- Tap your network
- Select “Forget Network”
- Reconnect by entering the password
This resets your connection and often boosts speed immediately.
4. Check Your Internet Speed
Sometimes the WiFi is slow simply because your internet provider is delivering slow speeds.
Use a speed test:
- fast.com
- speedtest.net
If speeds are slow on ALL devices:
- The router is faulty
- Your internet plan is limited
- Your ISP is experiencing issues
If speeds are only slow on your phone, continue with the next steps.
5. Turn Airplane Mode On and Off
This resets your phone’s wireless hardware and fixes connectivity delays.
Do this:
- Turn on Airplane Mode
- Wait 10 seconds
- Turn it back off
Your phone will reconnect to WiFi with fresh network settings.
6. Disable Battery Saver Mode
Battery Saver reduces your phone’s performance to save battery. This includes limiting WiFi and background processes, which causes slow speeds.
Turn it off:
- Settings → Battery → Battery Saver
Your phone should feel faster immediately.
7. Turn Off VPN
VPNs slow down internet speed significantly, especially free ones. They reroute your internet traffic, creating delays.
Disable VPN temporarily:
- Settings → Network → VPN → Turn off
If speeds improve, the VPN was the cause.
8. Disable “WiFi Assist” or “Adaptive WiFi”
Some phones automatically switch between mobile data and WiFi, causing unstable speeds.
iPhone:
- Settings → Cellular → WiFi Assist → Turn off
Android:
- Settings → WiFi → Smart Network Switch / Adaptive WiFi → Turn off
Disabling this option prevents random speed drops.
9. Clear Your Phone’s Network Settings
Corrupted network settings can cause slow WiFi. Clearing them resets everything without deleting personal data.
Android:
- Settings → System → Reset Options → Reset WiFi, Mobile & Bluetooth
iPhone:
- Settings → General → Reset → Reset Network Settings
Reconnect to your WiFi afterward.
10. Reduce Apps Using Background Data
Many apps constantly use your internet in the background, making your WiFi feel slow even when you’re not using them.
Apps that cause slow WiFi:
- WhatsApp backups
- Cloud services (Google Photos, iCloud)
- Streaming apps
Fix:
- Settings → Data Usage → Restrict Background Data
Phones with low RAM benefit from reducing background apps.
11. Update Your Phone Software
Outdated software can slow both performance and WiFi connectivity. Updates include bug fixes, security patches, and network improvements.
- Settings → System → Software Update
Install all available updates.
12. Update or Reinstall the Problem App
If only ONE app is slow (like YouTube or TikTok), the issue is usually with the app itself.
Fix:
- Update the app
- Clear cache (Android)
- Reinstall the app if needed
Sometimes app versions are buggy and cause performance issues.
13. Check Router Placement
The location of your router dramatically affects WiFi speed.
Best placement:
- High position (on a shelf)
- Central location
- Away from walls
- Away from metal or mirrors
Poor placement leads to signal loss and slow WiFi throughout your home.
14. Change WiFi Frequency (2.4 GHz vs. 5 GHz)
Most routers offer two frequencies:
2.4 GHz:
- Slower but longer range
- Better through walls
5 GHz:
- Faster but shorter range
- Best for gaming or streaming
Try switching:
- Settings → WiFi → Choose 5G or 2.4G network
You may notice dramatic improvements.
15. Change DNS Settings
DNS translates websites into server addresses. Slow DNS = slow internet.
Use faster DNS such as:
- Google DNS: 8.8.8.8 / 8.8.4.4
- Cloudflare DNS: 1.1.1.1
Change DNS on Android:
- Settings → Network → Private DNS
- Enter dns.google or 1dot1dot1dot1.cloudflare-dns.com
iPhone:
- Settings → WiFi → Your network → Configure DNS → Manual
This often makes browsing much faster.
16. Reduce Connected Devices
Most home networks slow down when too many devices are connected. Each device uses bandwidth—even when idle.
Common devices using WiFi:
- Smart TVs
- Game consoles
- Laptops
- Smart home devices
- Security cameras
Turn off devices you’re not using.
17. Change WiFi Channel to Avoid Interference
Routers broadcast on channels. If many routers nearby use the same channel, signal interference causes slow speeds.
Fix:
- Open router settings (192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1)
- Find WiFi Settings → Channel
- Switch to a less crowded channel
This reduces interference and improves stability.
18. Reset the Router to Factory Settings
If your router is old or misconfigured, a reset may be needed.
Steps:
- Press and hold the reset button for 10 seconds
- Reconfigure your WiFi settings
A fresh setup often restores full speed.
19. Test with Mobile Data
Switch to mobile data briefly. If the internet is fast on data but slow on WiFi, the issue is definitely the router or home network.
20. Contact Your Internet Provider
If none of the above solutions work, your ISP might be limiting speeds due to:
- Outages
- Congestion
- Throttling
- Faulty lines
Call support and ask them to check for issues.
Final Thoughts
Slow WiFi speeds can come from many sources—your phone, router, network settings, or even your internet provider. By following the steps in this guide, you can identify the exact cause and restore fast and stable internet performance. If your WiFi remains slow after testing different cables, DNS settings, router placement, and network resets, it may be time to upgrade your router or ask your provider for a better plan.
With the right adjustments, your phone’s WiFi can become much faster, more responsive, and more stable for everything you do online.