How to optimize your WiFi and fix a slow internet connection

Below are some easy and effective ways to improve the your WiFi connection and internet speeds throughout your home.

A variety of factors can affect strength and speed, but thankfully you can fix most of these issues in a few simple steps so that you can get the most out of your devices. Note that the steps for improving your WiFi connection can also improve your internet speeds and vice versa.

You can also troubleshoot any WiFi issues easily using the Rogers Xfinity app or the MyWiFi app (depending on your modem model).

Troubleshooting WiFi connection issues

Restart your modem and device

First, try unplugging your modem for 10 seconds, then plug it back in. Just remember that your home WiFi connections will be temporarily interrupted during this process.

A restart triggers the modem to re-scan and improve connectivity for your current WiFi environment. If your modem is hard to reach, you can try the following:

For the Rogers Xfinity Gateway, you can use the Rogers Xfinity app to restart your Gateway.

For older modems, you can try accessing the modem settings online.

Also, try restarting your device itself: an issue with your laptop, phone or tablet may also affect performance.

Check for secure modem connections

Poor connections, broken cables and line splitters can make Internet signals weaker before they reach your modem. This can stop you from getting faster Internet speeds. To resolve this, you should ensure that your cables are properly connected.

Unplug the power cable from the back of the modem.

Unscrew the coaxial cable from the back of the modem.

Inspect the coaxial cable for bends or kinks that indicate damage.

Follow the coaxial cable to the cable jack on the wall.

Determine if the coaxial cable goes into the jack directly, or if it passes through other devices, such as a splitter.

If a splitter is present, temporarily remove the splitter so the coaxial line can connect the cable jack to the modem directly.

Reconnect the coaxial and power cables to the back of your Shaw modem.

Wait for the modem to come back online.

If you're using an Ethernet cable to connect your computer to the router, or your modem to a third-party router, inspect those cables as well and replace them if they appear damaged. For the most reliable hardwired connection, make sure to use at least a cat 5e Ethernet cable.

Verify optimal modem placement and coverage

The place where your modem is in your home affects how much WiFi you can use. It's also important for a stable WiFi connection. To get better WiFi coverage, your modem should be in a central place. This is especially helpful if you have an open-floor-plan house. Alternatively, placing your modem central to where the Internet is most often used is a good choice as well.

Ensure you’re placing your modem:

     ✔ Out in the open

     ✔ Raised off the ground

Avoid placing your modem:

     ✖ In basements

     ✖ In cabinets

     ✖ Behind other objects

To avoid interference, try to keep your modem away from:

     ✖ Household appliances

     ✖ Metal objects

     ✖ Electrical equipment

Note: Make sure that your modem vents aren’t covered or blocked by debris or dust. These vents may also be at the bottom of the modem

Extend your WiFi range with Rogers Xfinity WiFi Boost Pods

Rogers Xfinity WiFi Boost Pods provide a solution for people with larger homes, or who are unable to place their modem in a centralized location. Pods help extend the range of WiFi coverage in your home to hard-to-reach areas, or areas with poor WiFi signals - typically farthest from the modem.

Ensure your device is connected to the best possible network

Rogers WiFi modems support two frequencies, meaning you have access to two different WiFi networks.

Newer modem models, like the Rogers Xfinity Gateway (XB6), use band steering by default, automatically connecting your device to the best available network. Our Hitron CODA and Hitron CGN AC family of modems also support band steering, but it might need to be turned on.

Learn more about how to turn on band steering:

For the Hitron CODA modem

For the Hitron CGN AC family modem

If you've disabled band steering or have an older modem model, you'll see two networks:

<Network Name>-5G is the 5 GHz network which offers the fastest WiFi speeds — great for streaming, but it has shorter range than the 2.4 Ghz network. This frequency is also less commonly used by household electronics, so there’s typically less signal interference or congestion to slow you down. We recommend connecting devices to this network whenever possible.

<Network Name> is the 2.4 GHz network which offers speeds that are ideal for everyday surfing. Its signal also has a farther reach.

Keep in mind, older devices may not support connecting to the <Network Name>-5G WiFi network. If you can't see this network on a certain device but you can see it on others, you may want to buy a new device or update its WiFi adapter. This will make the WiFi work better.

Optimizing your internet speed

Once you connect your modem and set up your home network, both your wired and wireless Internet connections should work every day. Slow speeds and disconnections can result from weak signals, old equipment or cables, interference, device capabilities/limitations and 3rd-party-related issues. If you think there's an issue with your WiFi, try the easy solutions outlined below to solve the most common issues.

Remember that on some older devices or older equipment, top Internet speeds may not be possible based on the limitations of the technology of the device/equipment.

Note: Slow Internet speeds can often be fixed by restarting your modem and/or your personal devices — sometimes a simple restart is all you need!

Run an Internet speed test

If you're experiencing a connection issue or just looking to improve your home internet setup, the Rogers Xfinity TM app can test the current internet speed to your home and the WiFi connections to your devices — so you have the tools you need to make the most of your Rogers Xfinity InternetTM plan.

Note: If you have Rogers Xfinity WiFi Boost Pods, ensure your device on which you'll run the speed test is connected to your Rogers Xfinity Gateway, not a Pod. Pods are made to help with WiFi coverage. They aren't meant to give you the fastest Internet you can get.

For the most accurate results, follow the instructions below before starting the test: 

Close all applications, disconnect VPNs and pause all downloads, video streams and picture uploads while running the speed test.

If your device supports a wired connection, connect your device directly to the modem with an Ethernet cable to bypass any in-between devices that may be obstructing your access to top Internet speeds, including a third-party router.

If your device only works with WiFi, stand within 10 feet of your modem and connect your device to your Wi-Fi network. Connect to the 5Ghz wireless network if it is visible.

Go to Testing your internet speed for instructions on how to use the Rogers Xfinity app to test your internet connection.

Check for signal interference

WiFi quality depends on range from the modem, interference and using the right network and device capabilities. Symptoms of interference can include slow speeds, dead spots and struggling to load websites or video calls. Interference can be caused by other wireless networks, devices using the same frequencies and high-voltage devices that generate electromagnetic interference.

Building materials and objects in your home can affect how much WiFi you can see. This is important for fast Internet and a stable WiFi connection. The number of walls and ceilings (as well as what material they’re made of and how thick they're), as well as other objects' wireless signals will affect WiFi signal strength and limit the range of your home WiFi.

See the chart below for some common examples of how much WiFi signal is absorbed or lost when passing through different types of materials:

Building Material Type	2.4 GHz The most common WiFi frequency has a lower speed but wider signal. Greater ability to pass through physical barriers and building materials	5 GHz A newer frequency offering faster speeds but narrower signal. More easily affected by physical barriers and building materials
Building Material Type	Potential Loss of WiFi Signal Strength
Drywall	15-20%	20-25%
Wood (Door)	15-20%	29-34%
Glass (Clear)	10-15%	29-40%
Glass (2-Pane coated)	62%	96%
Brick/Concrete	29-85%	50-100%
Fire Exit Door	62-91%	96-100%

 If you have a Rogers Xfinity Gateway, it'll have Band Steering enabled by default. Band Steering includes sorting devices between two frequencies to give you optimal speeds.

Note: If your device can't see the 5GHz frequency, your device might only be capable of 2.4Ghz. If you're unsure, please consult your device manufacturer's support services for your device’s WiFi specifications.

Evaluate bandwidth usage

You should be able to reach the highest speeds on your Rogers Xfinity Internet plan if you connect to it using a wired connection with a device that allows for those speeds. If you connect multiple devices to your home WiFi at the same time, all those devices will share your plan's bandwidth. This can result in slower WiFi for some or all of your devices.

If you are experiencing slow speeds:

Consider how many devices are connected to your home WiFi network.

Identify and monitor the devices being used for bandwidth-heavy activities (e.g., streaming, downloading). Rogers Xfinity Gateway customers can easily monitor their usage within the Rogers Xfinity app.

Try closing apps that use WiFi and fewer connected devices that use a lot of data because of activities that use a lot of bandwidth.

Check to see if performance improves for the devices still connected to WiFi.

Restore modem settings

In some cases, it might help to restore your modem to its factory settings. This will reset any custom settings you may have set up to their default settings, including your WiFi network name and password.

To restore your modem:

Locate the small pinhole reset button on the back of your modem.

Push and hold the button with a paperclip or pin for 15 seconds.

Watch the modem's lights flash, and then after a few moments, remain lit.

Within a few minutes, your WiFi network should reappear in the list of available networks on your wireless devices. Try connecting a device to WiFi to see if it works.

Note: We suggest trying this troubleshooting step after you have tried the other tips listed here. Resetting your modem will change how you use the Internet. You'll need to enter your wireless network name and password to connect to your home Internet.