Max Beckett, broadband expert at Uswitch has also provides answers to students frequently asked about broadband bothers:
Why is my internet so slow?
There could be a number of reasons why you're experiencing a slow connection. It could be because of the device you're using, peak usage times in the neighbourhood, your router setup, or even just a slow internet package.
Firstly, try closing programmes and tabs that you don't need open on your device. They could be slowing down its performance and causing pages and videos to load slowly.
Next, make sure your router is in a clear, open place in your house. Objects can block its Wi-Fi signal, so you might find your connection is stronger if you clear everything away from your router and place it more centrally at home.
If you're still having issues getting online, it might simply be that your surrounding households are all using the internet a lot at the same time (which can slow down everyone's speed for a while). Or it could even be your own package's internet speed, which might be struggling to handle all the devices being used in your home. In this common case, it could help to upgrade your plan.
Why does my internet keep disconnecting?
If your internet repeatedly disconnects, the issue most likely will lie with your connection, whether it's a problem with your home equipment or an outage on your provider's network.
If this is the case, contact your provider's customer service team to see if they can help to identify the issue. You might also be able to claim compensation if it's a problem on their end that persists for too long.
Your service may also drop if the network is congested. Providers have varying degrees of reliability, and if connectivity is a recurring issue it may be worthwhile to switch to another provider.
How can I boost my Wi-Fi signal?
There are a variety of quick fixes to boost your Wi-Fi signal range. A power cycle is a good place to start troubleshooting - turning your router off and on again fixes more connection issues than you'd think. But if this doesn't help, you'll want to make sure your router is set up as well as possible.
Check your device's signal strength (usually in the top right corner of its screen). You can improve this signal strength by moving your router to a more central place in your home, and clearing any obstructions in its pathway. Wi-Fi signals can only travel so far and will get interrupted by walls, floors, ceilings, furniture, appliances, and any large physical object. So you may need to move your router to a better location where its signal will be less disrupted.