Why Your Internet May Feel Slow: Key Issues and How to Fix Them

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Why Your Internet May Feel Slow: Key Issues and How to Fix Them

Not all slow internet problems are created equal.

You’ve got fibre. You’ve got speed on paper. But your videos are buffering, websites take forever to load, and work calls are glitching. So, what’s going on? Let’s break down the most common causes of sluggish internet and how to fix them.

1. Wi-Fi is the bottleneck – not your fibre line 

Your fibre connection is fast, but your Wi-Fi router is what distributes that speed throughout your home. If the signal is weak or overwhelmed by too many devices, things will slow down – even though the fibre line itself is working perfectly.

MetroFibre Tip: 

If possible, use a wired Ethernet connection for high-demand devices like smart TVs or gaming consoles. When you sign up with MetroFibre, we provide you with a router that is fully compatible with our network, if you've swopped this device with one you've purchased yourself, it may not be fully compatible with our network 🙁.

2. Too many devices, not enough bandwidth 

Smartphones, tablets, laptops, TVs, security cameras, doorbells, fridges – your home is more connected than ever. Each device shares a piece of your available bandwidth. The more that’s happening at once, the slower it may feel. 

MetroFibre Tip: 

Consider upgrading your package if your household is full of streamers, gamers or remote workers, we offer speeds of up to 1 Gbps. 

3. Background apps and automatic updates 

Sometimes your internet isn’t slow – it’s just being used without you realising it. Background processes like cloud backups, software updates or streaming in other rooms can quietly hog bandwidth.