How do I know if my WiFi needs a boost?

If you’ve ever had a video call freeze mid-sentence or found yourself waving your phone in the air to get a signal, your WiFi might be trying to tell you something. And while it’s normal for speeds to dip now and then, if it’s happening more often than not, it could be time for a boost.

We want you to enjoy the best possible experience with your WiFi — reliable, seamless, and without the stress. So here’s a simple guide to help you check in on your connection — and see if a WiFi boost might be the right next step.

1. Start with a speed test

Running a speed test is a quick way to see how your broadband is performing. We recommend using a wired connection first (plug your device directly into the router if possible) to check your base speed. That speed should be more or less the advertised speed of your broadband, give or take a few megs.

Now try the same test over WiFi, in different rooms. It’s normal for WiFi speeds to be noticeably slower than wired speeds — especially on older devices. But if your wireless speeds are slower than you would expect, or they drop off sharply in certain areas, that might be a red flag that something’s not quite right.

Well known speed test sites include speedtest.net and fast.com. You can even check your speed on the Zen site if you’d prefer.

2. Take a walk around your home

Literally. Use your phone or laptop to test the signal strength in rooms you use every day. Bedroom, loft, kitchen, garden office — no room is off limits.

And while you’re checking your WiFi speed, keep an eye out for not-spots: places where the signal is weak, slow or drops out entirely. These can happen for lots of reasons, like thick walls, odd layouts, or even where your router is positioned.

3. Think about how you use WiFi

These days, WiFi isn’t just for web browsing. If you’re streaming, gaming, working from home, or running a house full of smart devices, your WiFi’s doing a lot of heavy lifting.

If you’re noticing lag, buffering, or slower speeds when everyone’s online at once, it might be time to give it a helping hand.

4. Know your options

If your router’s struggling to reach every corner of your home, mesh WiFi could be the answer.

At Zen, we offer two smart solutions depending on your setup:

EveryRoom – Ideal if you’re on a broadband package up to 900 Mbps and want to keep your Digital Voice landline. We’ll help you get full coverage across your home, and if one extender doesn’t cut it, we’ll send another at no extra monthly cost. Find out more here.

Eero – Perfect for Full Fibre Max customers. It’s sleek, speedy and future-ready, using eero’s TrueMesh technology to keep your connection stable and strong across every device throughout the house. Find out more here.

5. Real help from real people

If you’re unsure what’s slowing things down, or need help choosing the right solution, our team is always here to help. We don’t just send a box and wish you luck — we’ll help you get it working exactly how (and where) you need it to.

Not sure if it’s time for a boost?

Try a speed test or get in touch to talk through your options.

At Zen, we believe that everyone deserves brilliant WiFi that just works — in every room, on every device. So whether you’re dealing with not-spots, slowdowns, or just want to future-proof your setup, we’re here to help.