How to troubleshoot and resolve slow internet speeds during peak business hours for Brisbane SMBs

Summary

This guide helps you troubleshoot and resolve: How to troubleshoot and resolve slow internet speeds during peak business hours for Brisbane SMBs. Follow the steps below to fix the issue.

Common Causes

Slow internet during peak business hours is a common issue for Brisbane SMBs. Whether your team is struggling with video calls, cloud backups, or basic web browsing, this guide will help you identify the cause and restore your connection speed.

Quick Fix Steps

1. Restart your modem and router by unplugging them from the power source for 30 seconds.
2. Run a speed test using a device connected via Ethernet cable to establish a baseline.
3. Close unnecessary browser tabs and applications that may be using bandwidth.
4. Check if the slowdown affects all devices or only a specific workstation.

Detailed Instructions

Identify bandwidth-heavy applications

Cloud backups, video streaming, and large file uploads often consume significant bandwidth during business hours.

1. On Windows, press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
2. Click the Performance tab, then select Open Resource Monitor.
3. Navigate to the Network tab to see which processes are sending and receiving data.
4. On macOS, open Activity Monitor from Applications > Utilities and click the Network tab.
5. Pause or schedule large uploads and backups for after business hours.

Optimise your Wi-Fi network

Wireless interference and distance from the router can cause slow speeds, especially in busy office environments.

1. Move your router to a central, elevated location away from thick walls and metal objects.
2. Reduce interference by keeping the router away from microwaves and cordless phones.
3. Connect critical devices, such as desktop computers and VoIP phones, using an Ethernet cable.
4. If you have a dual-band router, connect business-critical devices to the 5 GHz band for faster speeds and less congestion.

Manage connected devices

Too many devices on the network can saturate your available bandwidth.

1. Log into your router's admin panel using the IP address found on the device label (commonly 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1).
2. Review the list of connected devices and disconnect any unauthorised or unused devices.
3. Encourage staff to disconnect personal smartphones and tablets from the business Wi-Fi.

Troubleshooting

Check for hardware limitations

Older routers and modems may not support the speeds required by modern business applications.

• Ensure your hardware supports Gigabit Ethernet if you are on a high-speed NBN plan.
• Check that your network cables are Cat5e or Cat6; older Cat5 cables can limit speeds.
• If your router is more than five years old, consider upgrading to a business-grade model.

Test your connection

1. Connect a laptop directly to the modem using an Ethernet cable.
2. Disable Wi-Fi on the laptop to ensure the test uses the wired connection.
3. Visit a speed test website and record the download and upload speeds.
4. Compare these results to the speeds listed in your internet service plan.

If speeds are normal on a wired connection but slow on Wi-Fi, the issue is likely local wireless interference or router placement.

Avoid resetting your router to factory settings unless you have your ISP login credentials and network configuration details backed up, as this will remove your custom settings.

If you have completed these steps and are still experiencing slow speeds during peak hours, Open a Ticket with our Brisbane support team for further assistance.

For help connecting your devices to your wireless network, see our guide on How to connect to Wi-Fi.

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