There’s nothing more frustrating than paying for a fibre connection and watching pages load at a crawl. Slow internet can disrupt everything from streaming and video calls to remote work and online gaming. The good news is that most speed issues have simple causes, and you can often fix them yourself before picking up the phone.
In this article, we’ll walk you through practical steps to get your fibre connection back up to speed. We’ll cover basic hardware checks, device-related issues, how to properly test your speeds, home network improvements, and when it’s time to call in professional help.
Restart Your Router and ONT
It sounds almost too simple, but restarting your equipment solves a surprising number of connectivity problems. Your router and ONT (Optical Network Terminal) run software that can occasionally hang or develop memory issues, much like a computer that’s been left on for too long. A quick reboot clears temporary errors and refreshes the connection to your service provider.
To do this properly, switch off both your router and the ONT. Wait at least 30 seconds before powering the ONT back on first. Give it a minute or two to fully reconnect, then switch on the router. This sequence matters because the router needs to establish a clean handshake with the ONT once it’s already online.
If you find yourself needing to restart your equipment frequently, that could point to a deeper issue such as overheating, outdated firmware, or a failing device. Make sure your router is placed in a well-ventilated spot and isn’t buried inside a cabinet or stacked under other electronics.
Check Your Device and Browser
Sometimes the problem isn’t your fibre line at all. Your device itself could be the bottleneck. An older laptop, a phone with too many background apps running, or a browser loaded with extensions can all make your internet feel sluggish even when your connection is perfectly healthy.
Try testing your speed on a different device. If one device is slow but another performs fine, you’ve narrowed down the issue. Clear your browser cache, close unnecessary tabs, and disable any extensions you aren’t actively using. These small actions can free up processing power and improve how quickly pages load.
It’s also worth checking whether your device’s network adapter is up to date. On a Windows PC, you can update network drivers through Device Manager. On Mac, keeping your operating system current usually handles this automatically. An outdated driver can limit the speeds your device is able to handle, regardless of how fast your fibre connection actually is.
Run a Proper Speed Test
If you’re trying to troubleshoot a slow fibre internet connection, running a reliable speed test is essential. But how you run it matters just as much as the result. For the most accurate reading, connect your device directly to the router using an ethernet cable. This removes any variables introduced by your wireless signal.
Close all other applications and make sure no one else on the network is streaming or downloading while you test. Use a reputable speed test site and run the test a few times at different points during the day. Speeds can fluctuate during peak hours, so testing at various times gives you a clearer picture of your actual performance.
Compare your results to the package you’re subscribed to. A small difference is normal, but if you’re consistently getting significantly less than what you’re paying for, you have solid evidence to present when reaching out to your provider for support.
Optimise Your Home Network Setup
Where you place your router has a big impact on the speeds you experience around the house. Ideally, it should be in a central location, elevated off the floor, and away from thick walls, mirrors, and electronic devices that can cause interference. Kitchens are particularly bad spots because of the metal appliances.
If your home is large or has multiple floors, a single router might not provide adequate coverage everywhere. Mesh network systems or range extenders can help distribute the signal more evenly. Also, consider how many devices are connected at once. Each device takes a share of your bandwidth, and a household full of phones, tablets, smart TVs, and gaming consoles can stretch your connection thin.
Switching your router’s broadcast channel can also help with fibre internet speed issues. In densely populated areas, neighbouring networks can overlap and cause congestion. Most modern routers have an option to automatically select the least crowded channel, or you can choose one manually through the router’s settings page.
When to Contact Your Service Provider
If you’ve worked through all the steps above and your speeds still aren’t where they should be, it’s time to get your provider involved. There could be a fault on the line, an issue at the exchange, or a problem with the ONT that only a technician can diagnose and repair.
Before you call, gather your speed test results, note the times you tested, and document which troubleshooting steps you’ve already taken. This information helps the support team skip the basics and get to the root of the problem faster. It also shows that the issue is genuine and not something that a simple restart would fix.
In some cases, slow speeds after troubleshooting your fibre connection might indicate that your current package no longer suits your household’s needs. If you’ve added more devices or more people are working and streaming from home, an upgrade could be the simplest solution.
In Summary
Most slow fibre issues come down to a handful of common causes: equipment that needs a reboot, device-level bottlenecks, poor router placement, or network congestion within the home. By working through these checks systematically, you can usually resolve the problem yourself and get back to enjoying the speeds you signed up for.
If you’re looking for a fibre provider that backs up fast speeds with real support, ON Fibre is here for you. Our team is available 24/7/365 to help with any connectivity concerns, and our low contention ratios mean you get the performance you expect. Visit our website to explore our fibre and wireless packages and get connected today.
