How to improve your BT broadband speed

Make sure your hub is connected to your Openreach modem or master socket - check that all your cables - including those on the back of your hub and any extension leads are untangled and plugged in properly. 

Tangled and loose cables can cause interference and impact your speeds. If you are using an extension lead, use a new, high-quality cable as short as possible, as a long lead can cause interference and degrade performance.

Try to put your hub where you use the internet most; the farther you are from your hub, the weaker your Wi-Fi signal will be. This may not be possible depending on your set-up or if you have an Openreach modem.

• Keep your hub on show - avoid hiding it in a cupboard or on the floor, where the Wi-Fi signal may be obstructed or absorbed.
• Try to position your hub in the centre of your home - you'll reduce the number of walls slowing down your signal, which means you can get better Wi-Fi in more places.
• Move your hub away from the window – your hub broadcasts Wi-Fi in all directions, and half of your signal will go outside, rather than into your home.
• Don’t put the hub behind your TV or near metal objects - they can reflect and disperse the signal.

If your Wi-Fi isn’t as fast as you expected, it might have nothing to do with your connection, but could be due to the age and power of your connecting device. Typically, the newer it is, the faster the wireless speed it will support. For example, a smartphone from 2013 can handle around half the Wi-Fi speeds of a modern phone.

With devices like smartphones, tablets, and laptops being updated regularly, consider upgrading your devices every few years.

Your speed is also affected by what your broadband is being used for. For instance, streaming services like Netflix or YouTube, online gaming and video conferencing use more of your broadband speed than checking Facebook, or sending an email.

And since your connection is shared at home, the number of devices using your broadband at the same time can have an impact on how fast or slow it feels.

Find out what other members of your household are doing online before taking further action.

Turning your hub on and off can solve many minor issues with your broadband.

Press the Power button on the back of the hub, wait around 10 seconds, and turn it on again. After a few minutes the hub lights should turn blue, which indicates your hub is working.

Restarting your devices will also help you get the best connection.