Troubleshooting Slow Internet: Is It Your ISP or Network?

Home Network Troubleshooting Tips for Your Utah Home

Laptops and computers are busy with remote work and schooling. The smart TV streams Netflix while speakers pulse with playlists from Spotify, Apple Music, or Amazon Music. Your smart lights and security devices connect to Wi-Fi, too; not to mention, everyone’s smartphones are online.

That’s a lot of traffic heading towards your router, which it may not be able to handle. When people look for what’s causing slow internet, the first thing they do is point the finger at their internet service providers. But the issue may be with your home network installation.

If your home in or near Park City, UT, experiences subpar home networking, here are some steps you can take to improve overall performance.

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What Are Wi-Fi Issues and Their Causes?

Wi-Fi problems can be incredibly frustrating. You might experience a slow internet connection or signals dropping out of nowhere in your Utah home. These issues usually happen for a few reasons.

Sometimes, it’s signal interference, like thick walls or nearby electronics getting in the way. Other times, outdated hardware could be to blame or simply too much traffic vying for bandwidth.

Your modem and router also play a role in how well your Wi-Fi performs. If they're old, they may struggle to support high-speed internet or handle multiple devices at once.

And placement matters more than you might think. Moving your router could significantly improve your Wi-Fi signal. Knowing these common causes can help you troubleshoot and improve your Wi-Fi connection faster.

Is Your Router Up to Date?

Your ISP signal will only be as powerful as the router bringing it into your Salt Lake City home. You may want to swap the hardware for a new router that supports Wi-Fi 6 and MU-MIMO technology.

Wi-Fi 6 uses the latest networking technology to handle the demands of modern, connected homes. It uses Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDMA), which splits a single wireless channel into smaller sub-channels so multiple devices can communicate simultaneously. This is crucial for smart home automation, where your network connects many devices—from security cameras to smart thermostats.

Wi-Fi 6 also features Target Wake Time (TWT) technology. This schedules when devices wake up to send or receive data. This reduces battery drain for smart sensors and devices. Combined, these improvements provide faster, more efficient, and more reliable connections.

MU-MIMO (Multiple User, Multiple Input, Multiple Output) lets multiple devices send and receive data at the same time. Your laptops, smart TVs, and other connected devices won’t compete for bandwidth. Instead, they’ll get faster, more efficient connections simultaneously.

The key to great networking is ongoing maintenance. Just like you routinely update phones and computers to improve their performance, your router needs upgrades, too. These typically address security vulnerabilities and fix network issues.

In some cases, upgrading the firmware is not enough if your technology is incapable of handling smart home technology.

Need to Extend Your Wi-Fi’s Range?

Does your internet work perfectly closer to your router, only to completely drop off on another side? Are there consistent Wi-Fi dead zones in the backyard?

If you answered yes to either question, you would benefit from adding one or two Wi-Fi extenders, also known as access points. They pick up the existing signal from your router and rebroadcast it further on a different channel. You’ll be free to take the home office outdoors, upstairs, anywhere, or enjoy wireless streaming over outdoor speakers and screens.

Are You on the Right Wi-Fi Band?

Many routers are dual-band, meaning they broadcast both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz frequency bands for their signal. Understanding how these work can make a difference in your Wi-Fi experience.

The 2.4 GHz band is great for covering large areas and penetrating walls. Use it for reaching devices farther from your router. However, it tends to be slower and more prone to interference from things like microwaves or neighboring networks.

The 5 GHz band offers faster speeds and a more stable connection for shorter-range use cases. Use when streaming HD content, gaming, or using bandwidth-heavy smart home devices.

Try switching between these bands in your network settings. Sometimes, simply moving a device to the 5 GHz network can solve persistent speed issues.

Get Started With These Wi-Fi Troubleshooting Tips

We've outlined some network troubleshooting tips step by step to make it less complicated.

First, go with the number one IT suggestion and restart your modem and router. Sometimes, a quick reboot is all it takes to clear up connection issues. If that doesn’t help, check all your copper or ethernet cable connections. You should make sure everything is secure, and no wires are loose or frayed.

Are you still having problems? We recommend running speed tests to determine whether you’re getting the internet speed you’re paying for as part of your plan. If the results are much lower than expected, there could be a problem with your provider or your setup.

Next, update your router’s firmware. This is like giving your router a little tune-up, ensuring it’s running as efficiently as possible. By following these steps, you can often pinpoint and fix common Wi-Fi problems without too much hassle.

How to Know When to Reach Out for Professional Help

Are you having Wi-Fi trouble that won’t go away? Ratio AV, serving areas in Utah like Salt Lake City and Park City, is your top choice for more than basic fixes. 

If the above Wi-Fi troubleshooting tips did not help, it’s time to consider professional assistance. If you have persistent dead zones, aren't sure how to configure your network, or need to integrate multiple smart home devices, we can help. You shouldn’t have to struggle with these on your own.

Ratio AV's experienced technicians can diagnose problems quickly and optimize your home network for flawless performance. They know how to select the right equipment, configure settings for the best signal, and even future-proof your setup. For reliable, efficient solutions, trust Ratio AV to get your Wi-Fi running smoothly.

For networking assistance, call us at (801) 309-3055, chat with a member of our team below, or submit our form here.