7 Easy Things to Check When Your Internet Is Slow

Kaylee Cameron • February 4, 2026

There’s nothing worse than sitting down to watch a show, join a meeting, or finish an assignment—only for your internet to start dragging. Before you pick up the phone to call support, there are a few simple things you can try at home that might get you back online faster. 

Here are the top 7 things to check before calling: 

1. Check Your ONT (For Fiber only) 

Your ONT is the small box where the fiber cable connects to your home—it’s the core of your fiber internet connection. Make sure it has power. Double-check that it’s plugged in and that the outlet works. 
Check the lights on ONT: 

  • Power Light: Should be solid green. 
  • Fiber/Optical Light: Should also be solid green—this means your signal is coming through properly. 
  • Alarm/Fail Light: If you see red, that means there’s a signal problem. Give our support team a call so we can take a closer look. 

2. Check Your Router 

Your router distributes your Wi-Fi signal throughout your home, so if your connection feels slow or keeps dropping, this is a good place to start. 

  • Make sure it’s securely connected to your ONT (the Ethernet cable should be firmly in place). 
  • Confirm that the router is plugged into power and turned on. 
  • Check the lights on your router: 
  • Power Light: Should be solid. 
  • WAN/Internet Light: Should be solid or blinking. 
  • Wi-Fi Lights: Should be blinking when devices are connected and active. 

3. Restart Your Equipment 

A simple reboot can fix a lot of common connection issues. 

  • Unplug the router for 30 seconds, then plug it back in. 
  •  Wait 2–3 minutes for it to fully reboot. 
    If that doesn’t solve it, unplug your ONT for 30 seconds, plug it back in, and wait until all lights turn green before testing your connection again. 

4. Check Your Devices 

Sometimes, the problem isn’t with your internet at all—it could be your device. 

  • Make sure your phone, laptop, or tablet is connected to the correct Wi-Fi network. 
  •  If you’re using a wired connection, double-check that the Ethernet cable is secure. 
  •  Restart your device to refresh its connection to the network. 

5. Test Other Devices 

It’s easy to assume the internet is down when just one device isn’t working—but sometimes, it’s just that one piece of tech acting up. 

Try using another device to see if the issue persists. For example, if your laptop is buffering but your phone is streaming fine, the problem is likely with your laptop’s settings, software, or Wi-Fi connection. 
If all your devices are having trouble, then the issue might be with your router or network instead. This quick test can help you pinpoint where the problem really is—saving you time when you call for help. 

6. Check for Bandwidth Hogs 

Slow speeds aren’t always a sign of a bad connection—sometimes, your network is just overloaded. 

If multiple people are streaming, gaming, or downloading large files at the same time, it can cause your speeds to drop across the board. 
Try pausing downloads, closing unused apps, or temporarily disconnecting devices that aren’t in use (like smart TVs, security cameras, or game consoles). 
You can also run a speed test when your network is less busy—if the speeds improve, it’s likely just a bandwidth issue. If not, the problem might be elsewhere. 

7. Still Having Trouble? We’ve Got You Covered. 

If you’ve tried all these steps and your internet still isn’t working properly, our support team is ready to help. We can walk you through additional troubleshooting or schedule a technician visit if needed. 

Slow internet doesn’t have to ruin your day! A few quick checks can often get your connection back up to speed—and when it can’t, Anthem Broadband’s local support team is always here to make sure you’re covered.