Networking

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If your Wi-Fi crawls in the evening but flies during the day, you’re not imagining it. Here are the most common causes — and what actually fixes them.

1. Network congestion (the #1 cause)

Evenings are peak internet hours. Your whole neighbourhood streams at once, which can slow your internet provider’s local network. Test at different times; if it’s always slow at night specifically, congestion is likely.

2. Wi-Fi channel interference

Neighbouring routers crowd the same channels after work hours. Log into your router and switch to a less congested channel, or enable the 5 GHz / 6 GHz band, which is faster and less crowded than 2.4 GHz.

3. Too many devices at once

Smart TVs, phones, consoles, and smart-home gear all compete in the evening. Wi-Fi 6/6E routers handle many devices far better than older models.

4–9. Quick fixes to work through

• Restart your router weekly — memory leaks and heat degrade performance.
• Move the router central and elevated, away from walls, metal, and microwaves.
• Update firmware — vendors ship performance and security fixes.
• Check for background updates (console/PC downloads) hogging bandwidth.
• Scan for dead spots — weak coverage looks like “slow” Wi-Fi. See how to fix Wi-Fi dead spots.
• Consider your plan — if every device is slow at peak, you may have outgrown your speed tier.

Still slow after all that?

If coverage is the issue, a mesh upgrade often helps. Estimate what your home needs with our Wi-Fi Coverage Estimator, then see current routers on Amazon.

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A Wi-Fi dead spot is a room or corner where the signal drops or disconnects. Before buying anything, work through these free fixes — then upgrade only if you still need to.

Free fixes to try first

1. Reposition the router — central, elevated, and out in the open. Corners and closets kill range.
2. Point antennas correctly — for multi-floor coverage, angle some horizontally.
3. Switch bands/channels — 2.4 GHz travels further through walls; 5 GHz is faster at close range. Change to a less crowded channel.
4. Remove interference — keep the router away from microwaves, cordless phones, and large metal objects.
5. Update firmware and reboot.

If free fixes aren’t enough

• Wi-Fi extender — cheapest option; fine for one stubborn room, but can halve speed.
• Mesh system — the best fix for whole-home dead spots; nodes hand your devices off seamlessly.
• Wired access point / powerline — most reliable if you can run Ethernet or use existing wiring.

How much hardware do you need?

Use our Wi-Fi Coverage Estimator to see whether a single router, a 2-node, or a 3-node mesh suits your home. Then compare mesh systems and extenders on Amazon.

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Rule of thumb: one good router or access point reliably covers about 1,500 sq ft on a single level. Beyond that — or through thick walls and multiple floors — you’ll want additional nodes. Use the estimator below for your home, then read on for the reasoning.

What affects coverage

• Square footage — the biggest factor.
• Walls and construction — drywall is easy; brick, concrete, and metal cut range sharply.
• Floors — signal weakens going up or down between levels.
• Device count — many simultaneous devices favour Wi-Fi 6/6E hardware.

General guidance

Access point vs. mesh node

A mesh node connects wirelessly and is plug-and-play — best for most homes. A wired access point connects by Ethernet and is more reliable and higher-performance, but needs cabling. If you can run Ethernet, wired backhaul is the gold standard.

Next steps: read our networking hub, and if you’re choosing hardware, compare current mesh systems on Amazon.