Your smart home could be killing your internet speed

UK households are being warned of the everyday devices that could be quietly hogging bandwidth and affecting their Wi-Fi speed.

Tech experts at TelephoneSystems.Cloud have shared the common devices which can unknowingly slow internet speeds along with practical ways to solve the issue.

Outdated routers, interference with signal, and router placement are all common reasons for slow Wi-Fi, but one reason that can often be overlooked is the number of connected devices.

Multiple devices connected to the same network share the available bandwidth, and with each device requiring a portion of bandwidth to transmit and receive data, too many devices vying for bandwidth at the same time can result in performance issues.

The number of devices on home Wi-Fi networks continues to increase, with industry research suggesting the average household now has an average of 16 connected devices. *

Juliet Moran, Technical Director at TelephoneSystems.Cloud said: “Many households don’t realise that everyday gadgets from smart speakers and doorbells, to robot vacuum cleaners can affect your internet speed.

“It’s easy to overlook how many connected devices you actually have, particularly in modern homes where smart devices are becoming increasingly common.

“Fortunately, most slow Wi-Fi issues caused by having too many connected devices can be easily managed, and simple steps can make a big difference.

“It could be as easy as removing unused devices or using an ethernet cable where possible, to needing an upgrade to a modern router or a new internet plan if all else fails.”

Top five devices quietly hogging your bandwidth:

1. Smart TVs and streaming devices: 4K streaming and frequent updates running in the background can silently eat bandwidth, even when the device is in standby.
2. Games consoles: Online gaming and downloads demand constant data, often slowing other devices in the house.
3. Smart speakers: Gaining popularity in recent years, smart speakers may seem small but with frequent background updates and voice queries, they require constant bandwidth without you realising.
4. Smart home gadgets: They may only use a little bandwidth, but collectively, gadgets like robot vacuums, thermostats, security cameras and smart bulbs can cause a strain on your network.

Ways to stop your devices from slowing down Wi-Fi:

Remove unknown or unused devices

Free up bandwidth by removing any unknown or unused devices from your network that you may have forgotten about. You can check which devices are connected by logging into your router’s admin page.

Create a guest network

Using a guest network for visitors ensures that they don’t share their viruses onto your own devices. Viruses are a common way that your Wi-Fi gets used up.

Turn on QoS (Quality of Service)

If you are working from home, turning on QoS in your router’s admin page may improve performance of specific applications, such as VoIP <https://telephonesystems.cloud/small-business-voip-phone-system/>  services or Teams conversations, stopping the TV conflicting with essential “Work From Home” tasks.

Use ethernet where possible

If you’re able to use a wired connection for high-demand devices like a games console or the TV, this can free up Wi-Fi for other devices, offering faster and more reliable speeds. Electricians can install CAT6 Networking in a house, or you can use Powerline adapters, which use your power as a network.

Upgrade your router or use a mesh system

Upgrading your router can improve internet speed, particularly if yours is outdated. Using a mesh Wi-Fi system may provide better coverage too, especially for larger households.

Upgrade your internet plan

If your actual internet connection is slow, you may need to upgrade your plan and increase the bandwidth so your network has the capacity to handle more devices. FTTP rollout has been happening all around the UK, so check if you have recently been upgraded to full-fibre internet.