Neighbors may cause Wi-Fi slowdowns

If your Wi-Fi connection slows down at the same time every day, it might be due to your neighbors using the same frequencies. This happens when multiple networks in an apartment building or neighborhood operate on overlapping channels, especially during peak hours when many people are online.

Wi-Fi and internet access are different

Wi-Fi is the radio link between your devices and the router, while the actual internet connection is provided by your service operator. A slow Wi-Fi connection at home doesn’t always mean your internet is down; it could be an issue with how your Wi-Fi is set up or how it interacts with nearby networks.

2.4 GHz band is common but crowded

The 2.4 GHz band is widely used because it travels further and better penetrates walls. However, it is also used by many devices and routers, which can lead to interference. In apartment buildings, multiple networks may use the same channel, causing slowdowns and reduced performance.

5 GHz and 6 GHz bands offer better performance

The 5 GHz band offers more bandwidth and is less affected by interference, though it has a shorter range. Wi-Fi 6E and some Wi-Fi 7 routers also support the 6 GHz band, which is even less crowded but doesn’t work well through walls. Some Wi-Fi 7 routers, like the Freebox Pop Wi-Fi 7, use only the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands.

Other factors can cause Wi-Fi slowdowns

Internal factors, such as multiple users streaming or downloading large files, can also cause Wi-Fi slowdowns. If the connection is slow even when using an Ethernet cable, the issue might be with the internet service provider’s network, which can experience congestion during peak hours.