One of the most common problems is router placement. If your router is hidden behind furniture, inside a cupboard, or placed at one end of the house, the signal may struggle to reach other rooms.
Wi-Fi Optimisation Guide for nbn® Homes
By: Yomojo Team
Last Updated: 15 Jun 2026
Slow Wi-Fi can be incredibly frustrating. One minute you are streaming a movie or joining a video call, and the next your connection starts buffering or dropping out altogether.
Many people assume the problem is always their internet plan, but Wi-Fi setup inside the home is often the biggest reason internet feels slow.
Things like router placement, outdated hardware, interference from household devices, and even the number of connected devices can all affect your wireless performance.
The good news is that improving your home Wi-Fi is usually easier than most people expect.
Why Wi-Fi Performance Matters for nbn® Homes
Your Wi-Fi network connects all your devices to the internet. Even if your nbn® plan delivers fast speeds to your modem, weak Wi-Fi can make your connection feel slow.
Poor wireless performance can lead to:
Slow downloads
Video buffering
Lag during gaming
Dropped video calls
Weak signal in certain rooms
Note
Modern households often have many connected devices running at the same time, including smart TVs, phones, tablets, gaming consoles, laptops, and smart home devices. If your Wi-Fi setup is not optimised, your network may struggle to keep up.
Common Causes of Slow Wi-Fi on nbn®
Before improving your Wi-Fi, it helps to understand what may be slowing it down.
A typical home setup illustrating common causes of slow Wi-Fi on nbn®, including poor router placement, wireless interference, outdated hardware, and too many connected devices.
Poor Router Placement
Wireless Interference
Nearby Wi-Fi networks, Bluetooth devices, baby monitors, microwaves, and cordless phones can interfere with wireless signals.
Outdated Hardware
Older routers may not support newer Wi-Fi standards or faster internet speeds.
Too Many Connected Devices
The more devices connected to your network, the more your bandwidth is shared across them.
Thick Walls and Building Materials
Brick walls, concrete, mirrors, and metal surfaces can weaken wireless signals and create dead zones around the home.
Optimising Your Router Placement
Sometimes, simply moving your router can noticeably improve your Wi-Fi speed and coverage.
✅Place the Router Centrally
Try to position your router near the centre of your home rather than in a corner room.
This helps the signal spread more evenly throughout the house.
✅ Keep It Elevated
Placing your router on a shelf or desk often works better than leaving it on the floor.
✅ Keep Away from Large Objects
Metal surfaces, mirrors, and thick walls can block Wi-Fi signals.
✅ Adjust the Antennas
If your router has external antennas, changing their direction may improve coverage in different parts of the home.
Small placement changes can sometimes make a surprisingly big difference.
Reducing Wi-Fi Interference
Wi-Fi signals can become crowded, especially in apartment buildings or busy neighbourhoods where many networks operate close together.
Common Sources of Interference
Household electronics can interfere with your wireless signal, including:
Microwave ovens
Bluetooth speakers
Wireless security cameras
Baby monitors
Cordless phones
Switch to 5 GHz When Possible
Most modern routers support both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands.
2.4 GHz offers wider coverage but is usually more crowded
5 GHz often delivers faster speeds with less interference
If you are close to the router, using 5 GHz may help improve performance.
Restart Your Router Occasionally
Restarting your modem and router can help refresh the connection and clear temporary issues.
Upgrading Your Router or Modem
Sometimes the issue is not your internet plan at all — it is the hardware.
Older routers can limit Wi-Fi performance, especially in homes with many connected devices.
Wi-Fi 5 vs Wi-Fi 6
Newer Wi-Fi 6 routers are designed to handle modern internet usage more efficiently than older Wi-Fi 5 equipment.
Dual-Band Routers
Dual-band routers allow devices to switch between different wireless frequencies for better performance.
Mesh Wi-Fi Systems
Mesh systems use multiple Wi-Fi nodes around the home to improve coverage and reduce weak signal areas.
If your current hardware is several years old, upgrading to a modern compatible nbn® modem or Wi-Fi router may help improve your internet experience.
Using Mesh Wi-Fi for Larger Homes
If your Wi-Fi works well in one room but poorly in another, a mesh Wi-Fi system may help.
Unlike traditional routers that broadcast from a single location, mesh systems use multiple nodes placed throughout the home.
These nodes work together to create broader and more consistent coverage.
Mesh Wi-Fi Can Help With:
Large homes
Double-storey houses
Homes with thick walls
Wi-Fi dead zones
Multiple connected devices
Mesh systems are becoming increasingly popular because they provide more stable coverage across the entire home.
Managing Devices on Your Network
Modern households often have dozens of connected devices running at the same time.
Streaming, gaming, cloud backups, and video calls can all place pressure on your network.
Tips for Managing Devices
A user managing connected devices on a home Wi-Fi network to improve internet speed, reduce bandwidth congestion, and optimise streaming performance.
Disconnect Devices You Are Not Using
Unused devices may still consume bandwidth in the background.
Prioritise Important Devices
Some routers include Quality of Service (QoS) settings that allow you to prioritise work devices, gaming, or streaming.
Schedule Large Downloads
Large downloads during busy hours can slow down the network for everyone else in the home.
Keep Your Router Updated
Firmware updates may improve stability, security, and performance.
Testing Your Wi-Fi Speed
Testing your speed can help you understand whether the issue is your Wi-Fi setup or your internet connection itself.
You can use reliable tools such as: https://www.speedtest.net/
How to Test Wi-Fi Performance
Test Near the Router
Run a speed test close to the router first.
Test in Different Rooms
Repeat the test in rooms where the signal feels weaker.
Use Ethernet for Comparison
If possible, connect a device directly to the router using an Ethernet cable. If wired speeds are much faster than Wi-Fi speeds, the issue is likely related to wireless coverage.
Restart Your Equipment
Restarting your modem and router can sometimes improve performance by refreshing
Summary: Getting the Best Wi-Fi Performance from Your nbn®
Improving your Wi-Fi does not always require expensive upgrades or changing providers.
In many homes, simple adjustments such as moving the router, reducing interference, updating hardware, or managing connected devices can noticeably improve wireless performance.
For larger homes, a mesh Wi-Fi system may help eliminate dead zones and provide more consistent coverage throughout the house.
If your current equipment is outdated, upgrading to a newer nbn® modem or Wi-Fi router may also improve speed and reliability.
Pairing a strong Wi-Fi setup with suitable home nbn® plans can help create a faster and more reliable internet experience for the whole household.