Smartphones have emerged as the most used gadgets connecting most people to the internet. Most smartphone users crave a better internet connection, but this is not always the case. Most smartphone users often complain of sluggish Wi-Fi connections when using their phones. What leads to such an unpleasant scenario? Numerous factors such as router positioning, network congestion, and slow VPN might lead to a slow Wi-Fi connection in your smartphone.
Stay with us to discover why your phone’s Wi-Fi connection is slower than your laptop. We will also give a step-by-step guide on how to fix the issue.
7 Reasons Why Wi-Fi Is Slow In Your Phone But Faster On Laptop And Possible Remedies
Most Wi-Fi users blame their Internet Service Providers (ISPs) whenever the internet connection on their gadgets, especially phones, becomes sluggish. The service provider can offer you the best Wi-Fi plan, but small factors will hinder the performance.
Below are some of the minute issues that hinder your phone’s connectivity speed:�?
1. Poor Positioning Of The Router
Positioning your Wi-Fi router in the wrong place contributes heavily to the speed of your Wi-Fi connectivity.
Be aware that the Wi-Fi signal can be obstructed by considerable barriers such as walls, doors, and floors. The distance from the router to your device also affects the speed significantly. Generally, the Wi-Fi range is substantial in a few a hundred feet, but the greater the distance, the slower it becomes.�?
�?In such a scenario, it is safe to say that the far away you are from the router, the speed you get on your phone can be irritating. Testing the strength of the signal is done by simply looking at the Wi-Fi icon displayed by your phone’s status bar. Here is how the Icon Works:
1. If the icon is full, it implies that you have s strong Wi-Fi signal. If your internet is slow, the problem lies elsewhere if this is the case.
2. An empty or nearly empty bar signifies a weak signal. If you move closer to the router, the signal will improve, so does the speed. What if the signal bar improves but the speed is sluggish? If such is the case, rule out router positioning as the problem.
3. If the signal and speed improve as you move closer to the router, then the positioning of your router needs your attention. �?Try remedying the situation by experimenting with different router positions to determine the best place that offers optimal performance.
Note: If you move closer to the router and other devices receive a better signal than your phone, you have other issues that need fixing.
2. Congestion Of The Wi-Fi Network
Did you know that it is possible to congest the network when you and your neighbors set your routers in the same channel? If such congestion happens, it slows the connectivity speed of linked devices such as smartphones.
If you live in an apartment block characterized by numerous routers crammed together in a small region, be sure that your network will be congested, and your phone’s Wi-Fi Speed will slow down considerably.
How Do You Remedy The Congestion Dilemma?
The best way to deal with network congestion is to use a Wi-Fi analyzer tool. This tool comes in handy in singling out a less crowded channel that will offer less interference to your connectivity.
Typically, Wi-Fi uses two bands in communications. The bands are 2.4GHz and 5GHz. Whereas the 5GHz band is often less crowded, it has a low range.
The two bands are further divided into several channels, and this is where the Analyzer comes in to figure out the most crowded channels to assist you in choosing a less crowded alternative.
The internet is awash with phone Wi-Fi analyzers. Some are free, while others are premium. Google them and select the one that suits your device and your needs better.
3. Wi-Fi Noise
You haven’t gone bonkers! Yeah, you have read it right. It may sound like a crazy and far-fetched idea. Still, the truth is, your Wi-Fi connection is significantly impacted by noise from your home appliances such as microwaves and wireless doorbells.
A router running on a 2.4 GHz band is susceptible to interference from cordless phones, wireless doorbells, and microwaves. These devices weaken the connectivity signal of your Wi-Fi internet.
Remedy
You have a few options at hand to go around this nagging problem. Here are the options:
1. Please opt into a 5GHz band as it is less prone to interference from household appliances. However, you’ll only do this if your router has the option to switch between 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz.
2. Modern routers offer the opportunity to broadcast on both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz simultaneously. If you have such a router, ensure that you set it to broadcast on both bands.
3. If you choose to stick religiously with a 2.4 GHz broadcasting band, ensure that your router is nowhere near any household device that will interfere with connectivity.
Note: �?if you desire to switch to a 5GHz broadcasting band, ensure that all devices connected to your router support the 5GHz band.
4. Slow Network
A slow network is the primary course of slow Wi-Fi speed in phones. But what causes slow internet? It depends on where you are at a given moment. For instance, your general internet speed slows down if you are at home and several devices are hogging the bandwidth.
Things that slow down internet speed at home include movie streaming, downloading video games, and installing operating system updates.
Alternatively, you might be using your phone in public Wi-Fi and realize that the speed is sluggish. In the case of public Wi-Fi, there is not much you can do. You might check all that is necessary, but the result will still be disappointing.
Remedying Slow Network
1. If you are surfing online from home, minimize the number of activities from other connected devices.
2. If you are using public Wi-Fi, consider setting the Wi-Fi network priority. Setting the network priority provides the opportunity to connect with your device to one of your chosen networks whenever you are within range.
5. Slow VPN
If your phone is using a slow VPN that provides security and privacy while online, it is possible to receive Slow internet speed compared to the laptop.�?
As much as VPNs provide security and privacy, they significantly impact internet speed. Free VPNs are the worst when it comes to performance.
Remedying Slow Speed Caused By Slow VPN
1. Start with temporarily disabling the VPN you are using on your phone. If the speed increases, then you know the reason why your phone’s speed is sluggish.
2. Ensure you get a better VPN that can’t hinder your internet speed. In this case, the best VPNs are the premium ones. Though you’ll pay for the app, it can’t restrict your phone’s browsing speed.
6. Poor Mobile Coverage
Most Wi-Fi users assume that slow internet translates to slow Wi-Fi. Though it might be true, it is not always the case. Your phone’s signal can get affected by numerous aspects.�?
One significant aspect is the distance from the nearest tower. This affects your internet speed whether you are outdoors or indoors.
Have you been to a sporting event and realized that your phone’s internet speed had slowed considerably? The phenomenon is not new; performance is compromised when many people try to connect to the internet using the same tower.
Remedy
First, you should acknowledge that small mobile carriers don’t have enough capacity. If you use such a network, your speed is always limited. If you have persistent low Wi-Fi internet speed on your phone while other devices like laptops have incredible speeds, it is time you consider changing to a better provider.
7. Slow Phone
Did you know that a slow phone will always have slow Wi-Fi internet speeds?�? You might have the perfect Wi-Fi coverage and excellent network coverage, but the speed of your phone can’t help make the internet speed faster.
If the phone is slow, you will be punishing it if you require it to have fast Wi-Fi internet connections.
A typical slow phone’s hardware takes its time to render a webpage. To handle the graphics of online games, it must struggle through the process. This is evident on low-end android phones and old phones.
Alternatively, you might have a high-end android phone but weigh it down with so many apps. Your available bandwidth can be hogged up by numerous apps downloading and synchronizing in your phone’s background.�?
Remedies
1. Keep applications in your phone minimal to enable it to perform optimally.
2. Acquire a new phone that can produce the required internet speed without laboring in performing heavy tasks such as handling graphics.
Conclusion
Most people use smartphones as their primary connecting gadgets to the internet. When the phone’s Wi-Fi speed is not up to expectations, you get disappointed and blame everything on the service provider. However, this might not be the case. Several other factors might affect your phone’s internet speed.
If you have read this far, you have familiarized yourself with several causes of a slow Wi-Fi connection to your phone when the laptop speed is top-notch. If you find yourself in such a scenario, try the remedies given on this page.