Buffering videos. Dropped video calls. Web pages that take forever to load. Slow Wi-Fi is one of the most frustrating tech problems you'll face, whether you're working from home in Saskatoon or running a local business.

Here's the good news: most Wi-Fi problems have simple fixes you can do yourself. This guide will walk you through proven solutions to identify why your internet is slow and exactly how to fix it. Our tech support team has used these methods to solve Wi-Fi issues for hundreds of Saskatoon residents and businesses.

Key Factors Affecting Wi-Fi Speed

1. Distance from Router

Wi-Fi signal strength weakens as devices move further away from the router. Walls, floors, and distance all reduce signal quality, resulting in slower speeds and dropped connections.

2. Physical Obstacles

Walls, floors, furniture, and appliances obstruct Wi-Fi signals. Different materials block signals to varying degrees:

Minimal impact: Wood, drywall
Moderate impact: Brick, plaster
Significant impact: Concrete, metal, mirrors
Electronic interference: Microwaves, baby monitors, cordless phones

3. Network Interference

Competing devices and networks reduce speeds, especially in apartment buildings or dense neighborhoods where multiple Wi-Fi networks overlap. The 2.4 GHz frequency is particularly crowded.

4. Connected Device Overload

More devices mean divided bandwidth. Every smartphone, tablet, laptop, smart TV, and IoT device connected to your network shares available internet speed.

5. Outdated Equipment

Older routers cannot meet modern speed demands. If your router is more than 3-5 years old, it likely doesn't support current Wi-Fi standards and may be bottlenecking your connection.

First: Test Your Wi-Fi Speed

Before trying any fixes, you need to know your actual internet speed. This helps you determine if the problem is your Wi-Fi network or your internet service provider.

How to test your speed properly:

Disconnect all other devices from your Wi-Fi (or turn them off temporarily)
Close all programs and browser tabs except the speed test
Visit SaskTel's Speed Test or Speedtest.net
Click "Go" and wait for results
Write down your Download and Upload speeds

Compare your results: If you're paying for 100 Mbps but only getting 20 Mbps, you have a problem. Now test with an Ethernet cable directly connected to your router.

Important: If your wired speed is fast but Wi-Fi is slow, the problem is your wireless setup, not your internet plan. Keep reading for solutions.

Quick Fixes That Actually Work

1. Restart Your Router (The Magic Fix)

It sounds too simple, but restarting your router solves more Wi-Fi problems than any other fix. Over time, routers develop memory leaks and connection issues that a restart clears out.

The right way to restart:

Unplug your router's power cable
Wait 30 full seconds (this clears the memory completely)
Plug it back in
Wait 2-3 minutes for it to fully boot up
Test your Wi-Fi speed again

Pro tip: Do this monthly as preventive maintenance, especially if you stream a lot or work from home.

2. Optimize Your Router's Location

Where you place your router dramatically affects your Wi-Fi speed. Many people hide their router in a closet or behind furniture—this kills your signal strength.

Best practices for router placement:

Central location: Place your router in the middle of your home or office, not tucked away in a corner
Higher is better: Put it on a shelf or mounted on a wall—signals spread down and outward
Keep it in the open: Don't hide it in a closet, cabinet, or behind a TV
Away from interference: Keep it at least 3 feet from microwaves, baby monitors, cordless phones, and metal objects
Away from thick walls: Concrete and brick walls block Wi-Fi signals significantly

Moving your router to a better spot can double your Wi-Fi speed in distant rooms at zero cost.

3. Switch to the 5 GHz Network

Most modern routers broadcast two Wi-Fi networks: 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz. The 2.4 GHz band is crowded because everyone uses it, plus microwaves and other devices interfere with it.

Why 5 GHz is better:

Much faster speeds for nearby devices
Less interference from neighbors and appliances
Better for streaming, video calls, and gaming

When to use 2.4 GHz: For devices far from your router (it has better range) or older devices that don't support 5 GHz.

Look for your network name with "-5G" or "-5GHz" at the end and connect to that instead.

4. Reduce Connected Devices

Every device connected to your Wi-Fi shares the available bandwidth. That smart TV, your phone, laptop, tablets, smart speakers, security cameras—they all divide up your internet speed.

What to do:

Disconnect devices you're not actively using
Use Ethernet cables for stationary devices (desktop computers, gaming consoles, smart TVs)
Check for devices you didn't know were connected (old phones, forgotten tablets)
Set up a guest network for visitors so they don't clog your main network

5. Change Your Wi-Fi Channel

If you live in an apartment building or dense neighborhood, your router is competing with dozens of other Wi-Fi networks on the same channel. Think of it like radio stations—if two stations broadcast on the same frequency, you get interference.

How to switch channels:

Type your router's IP address in your browser (usually 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1)
Log in with your router's admin username and password (check the sticker on your router)
Find "Wireless Settings" or "Wi-Fi Settings"
For 2.4 GHz, manually select channel 1, 6, or 11 (these don't overlap)
For 5 GHz, let it stay on automatic
Save and restart your router

Tip: Download a Wi-Fi analyzer app on your phone to see which channels your neighbors are using, then pick a less crowded one.

When It's Time to Upgrade Your Router

If your router is more than 3-5 years old, it's probably holding you back. Newer routers support faster Wi-Fi standards and handle more devices simultaneously.

Router recommendations for 2025:

Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax): Best option for modern homes with many devices. Handles 20+ devices easily.
Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac): Still excellent and more affordable. Good for most households.
Mesh Wi-Fi systems: Best for large homes (2000+ sq ft) or multi-story houses where one router can't cover everything

Budget $80-$150 for a quality single router, or $200-$400 for a mesh system. The performance improvement is dramatic.

Advanced Tips for Power Users

Update Your Router's Firmware

Router manufacturers release firmware updates that improve performance, fix security vulnerabilities, and add new features. Many people never update their router firmware.

Log into your router's admin panel
Look for "Firmware Update" or "Router Update"
Click "Check for Updates"
If available, follow the prompts to install (don't interrupt this process)

Some newer routers have automatic updates—enable this feature if available.

Secure Your Network

If neighbors or strangers are using your Wi-Fi, they're stealing your bandwidth and slowing you down.

Use WPA3 or WPA2 encryption (never WEP or "Open")
Create a strong password (16+ characters, mix of letters, numbers, symbols)
Change the default admin password on your router
Check your router's connected device list regularly for unauthorized users

Consider Your Internet Plan

Sometimes slow Wi-Fi is actually slow internet. If you've optimized everything and still have issues, you might need a faster plan:

1-2 people, light browsing: 25-50 Mbps is enough
2-4 people, streaming and video calls: 100-200 Mbps recommended
4+ people or heavy 4K streaming: 300-500 Mbps
Home business or power users: 500+ Mbps or fiber connection

Need Professional Help?

Still experiencing slow Wi-Fi after trying these solutions? Sometimes the problem requires professional diagnosis—especially in businesses or complex home setups.

Our tech support team in Saskatoon can:

Diagnose complex Wi-Fi and network issues
Set up and configure new routers or mesh systems
Optimize your network for maximum performance
Install Wi-Fi extenders or mesh networks in large homes
Design business network solutions
Troubleshoot ISP-related problems

We offer both remote and in-person support for Saskatoon residents and businesses. Services start at just $29.

For businesses looking to improve their online presence, check out our article on benefits of having a professional website for your Saskatoon business, or learn about our website development services.

Why Your Wi-Fi Is Slow and How to Fix It Fast