Aaron Forbes

How do I test my WiFi speed at home?

Is your WiFi slow or laggy? Are you having connectivity problems? Whether you’re looking to test your WiFi speed to diagnose a problem or just to see if you have good download and upload speeds in general, there are several ways to go about it.

This guide will show you how to test your WiFi speed from your web browser, your mobile phone, and with the Minim app. If you’re still having trouble resolving an issue, we’ll show you how to troubleshoot some of the most common problems too.

How to test my WiFi speed at home

Testing your WiFi speed with a web app

The easiest way to test your at-home WiFi speed is through a free web app, usually provided by Internet Service Providers (ISP). On average, speed tests take anywhere from 30 seconds to a minute and transfer roughly 40 MB of data or more, so keep that in mind if you have a data-based usage plan through your ISP.

Here’s a list of web-based apps that provide free at-home WiFi speed testing:

Testing your WiFi speed with your phone

There are dozens of mobile apps available in the iOS and Android app stores. But which one is the right one for your needs?

A good, broad-scope app is the Speedtest by Ookla app, available for both iPhone and Android. Like their web-based app, their mobile app can log your speed tests and track both download and upload speeds. They also offer mobile carrier coverage maps and claim to be the “only internet connection test capable of accurately measuring 5G.”

Screenshot of WiFi speed test apps on the Google Play store

Screenshot of the Google Play store taken Aug. 13.

Minim users can easily test their at-home WiFi speeds using the Minim app. The Minim app can also test for the ideal speeds for movie streaming, online gaming, and much more on your home network. Watch the video below to see just how easy it is to run a WiFi speed test on the Minim app:

 

How do I improve my WiFi speed?

If after running the speed tests your WiFi just isn’t kicking the way you’d like it to, it might be time to diagnose the problem. Your WiFi speed test results are impacted by a variety of factors, such as the device you’re using on the network, how many devices are currently on the network, the distance between your device and the network access point, and even the time of day. With so many factors potentially affecting your WiFi speed, it’s important to try and narrow them down until finding the root of the problem.

Here are some suggestions for improving your WiFi speed at home:

  • Move the device you’re running the speed test on closer to the router or access point
  • Restart the router
  • Contact your ISP to ensure everything is configured and working properly on their end
  • Move your router or access point to a centralized location of your home where walls and floors won’t obstruct the wireless signal
  • Check that you aren’t connected to the 2.4 GHz WiFi band while testing for 5 GHz speeds—there’s a big difference between the two
  • Use a different or newer device to retest; sometimes older devices aren’t able to achieve the same speeds as newer devices

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