Everyone Else’s Internet Is Fast—Except Yours? Try These Simple Fixes

Few things are as frustrating as watching your laptop crawl through websites while your phone or tablet streams videos effortlessly. If you notice that only one device is lagging while others in your home perform perfectly, you’re not imagining it—this is a common issue, and there are good reasons behind it.

When sluggish internet hits just a single device, the culprit is almost always something specific to that device rather than a problem with your Wi-Fi network as a whole. There can be several causes: background apps quietly gobbling up bandwidth, outdated drivers causing performance hiccups, misconfigured network settings, or even simple physical factors like distance from the router. Sometimes, hidden threats like malware or bloatware can hijack your connection without obvious signs, slowing things down to a crawl.

To get to the bottom of it, it helps to know exactly why a single device might be underperforming. In most cases, it’s background processes—maybe automatic updates are running, cloud backups syncing, or an app you forgot about is stuck downloading data. Old drivers, especially on laptops and PCs, can also create bottlenecks, and sometimes the device is just connected to a crowded Wi-Fi band or stuck in a spot with weak reception. Malware and unwanted programs often operate silently, hogging network resources and compromising your connection speed without any pop-up warnings or alerts.

Before you get into complicated troubleshooting, take a few quick, practical steps. Start by restarting the sluggish device; a fresh reboot can clear out temporary bugs or memory leaks that build up over time. Toggle your Wi-Fi off and back on to re-establish a clean connection with your router. Run a speed test on the device in question, and compare the results to your other devices—this can confirm whether the problem is isolated or more widespread. If possible, move the device closer to your router; signal strength drops quickly with distance or if there are walls and obstacles in the way.

If These Basics Don’t Fix the Issue, It’s Time to Dig a Little Deeper

Restart and Reconnect

Begin with the simplest solutions, as they’re often the most effective. Fully restart your device—not just putting it to sleep or locking the screen. Next, “forget” your Wi-Fi network from the device and reconnect by re-entering your password. This process erases old or corrupted network settings that might be interfering with your connection.

If you have the option, try switching between 2.4GHz and 5GHz Wi-Fi bands. The 2.4GHz band has a longer range but is more prone to interference, while 5GHz is faster but doesn’t travel as far. Depending on your home’s layout, one may work significantly better than the other.

Check Your Wi-Fi Signal and Device Settings

A weak Wi-Fi signal is a common reason for slow speeds. Physical barriers like walls, floors, and even appliances can dampen the signal, especially in multi-story homes or large apartments. Make sure your device isn’t set to “low power,” “battery saver,” or “data saver” mode, as these settings can intentionally throttle your internet speed to conserve energy.

On laptops, check your power management settings—sometimes, to save battery, your system will limit Wi-Fi performance. It’s also crucial to keep your network drivers and operating system up to date. Manufacturers release updates to address bugs and improve compatibility, and skipping these can leave your device running on outdated instructions.

Investigate Background Apps and Software Conflicts

Many apps and programs run background processes that use your internet, often without your knowledge. Cloud storage services, automatic updates, streaming services running in browser tabs, and even messaging apps can consume significant bandwidth.

On a computer, open Task Manager (Windows) or Activity Monitor (Mac) to see which applications are using network resources. On phones and tablets, check your data usage breakdown in the settings to identify any apps behaving unusually. Shut down or pause any non-essential apps to free up bandwidth.

If you notice abnormal data usage that doesn’t make sense, it’s wise to run a security scan—malware and adware can lurk in the background, using your internet for their own purposes.

Advanced and Bonus Tips for Persistent Problems

If you use a VPN (Virtual Private Network) or a proxy on the affected device, try temporarily disabling it. VPNs encrypt your data and route it through a remote server, which can significantly slow down your speed, especially if the server is distant or overcrowded.

Also, update your web browser and regularly clear its cache—over time, cached data can become corrupted and hinder performance. If none of these steps help, consider resetting your network settings entirely. This will wipe out any misconfigured or outdated Wi-Fi settings and let you start from scratch, which often resolves deeply-rooted connection issues.

Lastly, maintain good digital hygiene: periodically uninstall unused apps, keep your system updated, and avoid letting too many programs run in the background.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is only one device slow online while others are fast?

When just one device struggles with internet speed, the problem usually lies within that device—its software, settings, or running applications—rather than the Wi-Fi network itself. Background processes, outdated drivers, or even malware can create unique issues that don’t affect your other devices.

Can a VPN slow down just one device?

Yes, absolutely. If you’re running a VPN on just one device, it can reduce your speed due to server load, distance, or encryption overhead. Try disconnecting from the VPN to see if your speeds improve.

Should I reset network settings if nothing else works?

Resetting network settings is a powerful troubleshooting step. It erases all saved Wi-Fi networks and custom network configurations, forcing your device to start fresh. This can resolve persistent connection glitches that other fixes can’t touch.

With some patience and systematic troubleshooting, you can usually pinpoint—and fix—the reason why a single device is lagging behind. By addressing background apps, updating software, tweaking settings, and maintaining your device, you’ll be back online at full speed and free from the headaches of endless buffering or dropped connections.