Few things are more frustrating than slow internet.
You sit down to stream a show, join a video call, or play a game…and instead you get buffering, lag, or endless loading screens. If you’ve ever asked, ‘Why is my internet so slow?’ you’re not alone.
Slow internet can happen for many reasons. Sometimes the issue is inside your home, like weak Wi-Fi. Other times it’s related to your internet plan or the wider network. The good news is that most problems can be identified, and many are easy to fix.
This guide covers why your internet is slow, why it’s worse at night, how to test it, and how to fix it.
Quick links:
- Common causes of slow internet
- Why internet is often slower at night
- How to test your speeds
- How to fix slow internet
- Choosing the right plan and provider
Slow Internet Connection?
Let Swoop get you connected FAST! Check if your address can get fast and reliable internet.
Enter your address1) Common causes of slow internet
When you’re dealing with sluggish speeds, the first thing to understand is that there isn’t just one possible reason. The slowdown could be happening at your end, with your provider, or somewhere in between. Here are the main culprits.
Problems inside your home
Weak Wi-Fi signal
If your modem is tucked away in a corner, or your walls are thick, Wi-Fi signals can weaken before they reach your device. This is especially common in larger homes.
Learn how to check your Wi-Fi speeds here >
Check out these ten ways to speed up your Wi-Fi here.
Too many devices at once
Smartphones, laptops, smart TVs, consoles, and even appliances now compete for bandwidth. If several people in your home are streaming or gaming simultaneously, your connection can struggle.
Outdated hardware
Older modems, routers, or Wi-Fi adapters may not handle modern broadband speeds. Even if you’re on a fast nbn® plan, outdated gear can hold you back.
Take a look at the new eero 7 mesh router, compatible with the highest nbn® speeds!
Background apps
Automatic software updates, cloud backups, or file downloads running in the background can quietly use up your connection.
Issues with your provider
Internet congestion
Just like traffic on a busy road, the internet can get congested when lots of people use it at the same time. This is a common issue making your internet slow, especially at night when most people are home.
Plan limitations
If you’re on a lower-tier nbn® plan like nbn® 25 or nbn® 50, it may simply not be fast enough for a busy household.
If you’re in a fibre-ready area, you might be able to upgrade to full fibre (FTTP) for even better performance. Check your address here to see if a fibre upgrade is available.
ISP throttling
Some providers slow down during busy times, like in the evening. This isn’t usually because of data limits, but because their network can get crowded. If your internet always feels slower at night, your provider might not have enough capacity to handle the traffic.
Typical evening speeds
Most providers list their ‘typical evening speeds’ — the speeds you can expect during busy hours, usually between 7 pm and 11 pm. This helps you know what your internet will actually feel like at night, not just the maximum speed of your plan.
For example, Swoop’s nbn® 1000/100 plan offers a typical evening download speed of 890 Mbps and 85 Mbps upload. That means even during peak times, you can expect super-fast speeds for streaming, gaming and working from home — without the slowdown.
External factors
Network outages
Sometimes it’s not you or your provider. Outages in your area can bring speeds to a crawl. You can check our Network Outages page to see if that’s your issue.
Weather or damage
Wondering why your internet suddenly slowed down? Sometimes the cause is outside your control. Bad weather or damage to cables in your area can impact your connection — especially if your home still uses older copper lines.
Heavy downloads
If you’re downloading a large game update or backing up files to the cloud, it can use most of your available bandwidth until it’s done.
2) Why internet is often slower at night
One of the most common times people notice a slowdown is in the evening. You’re not imagining it, internet congestion is real.
Between 7 pm and 11 pm, households across Australia are streaming Netflix, gaming online, working late, and scrolling on their phones. All of this activity puts extra demand on the network. If your provider doesn’t have enough capacity, your speeds will dip.
For example, you might get 90 Mbps on your nbn® 100 plan at 10 am, but only 40 Mbps at 9 pm. That’s congestion at work. Some providers manage this better than others, which is why checking “typical evening speeds” is so important when choosing a plan.
Find out how to fix slow internet at night here.
3) How to test your speeds
Before jumping into fixes, it’s worth running a few speed tests to see what’s really happening with your connection.
- Use a reliable speed test tool. You can try Swoop’s speed test to check your current download and upload speeds.
- Test at different times. Run a test in the morning and again during the evening. If your evening speed is much lower, it’s likely peak-hour congestion.
- Test on Wi-Fi and wired. Connect your device directly to the modem with an Ethernet cable and run the test. If it’s faster than your Wi-Fi result, the problem may be your home setup, not your plan.
- Compare your results to your plan. Check what speed your plan promises and what your provider says is typical during the evening (usually listed as ‘typical evening speeds’). If your test results are much lower than those numbers — especially during peak hours — there could be an issue with your provider or plan.
See our full guide to testing your internet speeds here.
4) How to fix slow internet
If you’ve confirmed your internet speed is slow, there are a range of things you can try. Some are simple adjustments, while others might involve upgrading your equipment or plan.
Improve your home Wi-Fi
- Place your modem in a central, open spot in your home.
- Keep it off the floor and away from thick walls or appliances like microwaves.
- If you have a big home, consider using Wi-Fi extenders or a mesh system.
See our guide on how to extend your Wi-Fi range here >
Restart or upgrade your modem (or router)
Restarting your modem or router can often clear temporary issues and help refresh your connection.
If your equipment is more than four or five years old, it might be time for an upgrade. Newer modems and routers support faster Wi-Fi speeds, better performance across multiple devices, and improved stability — especially for busy households.
Swoop offers the eero 7, a next-gen Wi-Fi 7 system designed to deliver fast, stable internet throughout your home — ideal for streaming, gaming, and working without interruptions.
Manage connected devices
- Disconnect devices you’re not using.
- Pause large downloads or cloud backups until off-peak times.
- On shared connections, ask housemates or family to stagger heavy usage.
Check for software issues
- Run a virus or malware scan. Malicious software can hog your bandwidth.
- Close unused browser tabs or apps that may be streaming in the background.
Upgrade your plan or provider
- If your household is consistently maxing out your plan, consider moving up to a faster speed tier like nbn® 100, 500 or 1000.
Check out our great range of high-speed plans here >
If your provider’s typical evening speeds are much lower than your plan’s maximum, it might be time to switch.
5) Choosing the right plan and provider
Not all broadband services are equal. Two households on the same nbn® speed tier can still experience very different results depending on the provider.
Here’s what to look for when choosing a provider:
- Good typical evening speeds. This should be clearly outlined on the plan so you know what to expect. A provider with strong evening speeds is less likely to leave you buffering at 9 pm.
- Higher speed tiers. Busy households with multiple simultaneous users will benefit from faster plans like 100 Mbps or 1,000 Mbps.
- Great customer support. Good providers will help you troubleshoot issues rather than leaving you to figure it out alone.
Check out our NBN plans
Typical evening speed (7pm-11pm)
Mbps
Download
Mbps
Upload
per
month
Typical evening speed (7pm-11pm)
Mbps
Download
Mbps
Upload
per
month
Typical evening speed (7pm-11pm)
Mbps
Download
Mbps
Upload
per
month
Typical evening speed (7pm-11pm)
Mbps
Download
Mbps
Upload
per
month
Hear from happy customers!
Commonly asked questions
Why is my internet so slow even though I have a fast plan?
Even with a fast plan, your internet can be slow due to weak Wi-Fi, old equipment, or too many devices using bandwidth. Test your speed using a wired connection — if that’s fast, the issue is likely your Wi-Fi setup.
Why does my internet slow down at night?
Internet often slows down at night due to network congestion. Between 7 pm and 11 pm, many people are online, which can reduce speeds — especially if your provider doesn’t have enough capacity during peak hours.
How can I tell if the problem is my Wi-Fi or my provider?
To find out if your Wi-Fi is the problem, run a speed test on both Wi-Fi and a wired connection. If wired is much faster, the issue is your home setup. If both are slow, it’s likely your provider or plan.
Can old modems really slow down my internet?
Yes, old modems and routers can limit your internet speed. Devices older than 4–5 years may not support faster nbn® speeds or newer Wi-Fi standards. Upgrading can improve performance.
What should I do if my internet suddenly gets really slow?
If your internet slows down suddenly, try these steps:
- Check for background downloads or apps.
- Restart your modem or router.
- Run a speed test.
- Check for local outages.
If the issue continues, contact your provider.
How many devices can my internet handle at once?
The number of devices your internet can handle depends on your speed tier. For example, nbn® 25 may support light use on a few devices, while nbn® 100 or higher is better for families streaming, gaming, or working at the same time.
What are typical evening speeds and why do they matter?
Typical evening speeds are the average speeds a provider delivers between 7 pm and 11 pm. They show how well the provider handles congestion and are a better measure of real-world performance than the plan’s maximum speed.
Still dealing with slow internet?
It’s often fixable with the right setup or a better plan. Check if Swoop’s high-speed plans or fibre upgrades are available at your address.
View plans and check availability.
