What affects your Full Fibre speed

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Whenever you do anything online - whether that's sending an email or updating your social media - data is sent over your Full Fibre connection. The rate at which this data is sent is down to your broadband speed, which can be affected by many different factors. 

For more information about what can cause slow speeds with Full Fibre, choose an option below.

Here's how an incorrect setup can cause slow speeds.

Router setup

Here's what can cause slow speeds within your home.

Your home

Here's how your router and devices can cause slow speeds.

Your devices

Think you might HAVE A FAULT?

If you've tried the above tips and none have helped, you might have a fault with your connection. See how your broadband is performing using our My Connection service. Run a connection test, check for issues in your area and get SMS updates on problems that are affecting your services.

Test your line now

Router setup

Setting up your Wi-Fi Hub incorrectly or using the wrong equipment will likely cause slow broadband speeds. Here are some common setup errors to avoid.

Your Fibre Connection Box

Make sure your Wi-Fi Hub is connected to your Fibre Connection Box rather than your main socket or an extension socket. Your Fibre Connection Box on the wall (your engineer might call this the Optical Network Terminator or ONT) is where your Full Fibre connection enters your home. Your main socket is the entry point for your phone line and extension sockets are connected to your main socket with wiring that isn't built for transmitting broadband signals.

Extension cables

If your Wi-Fi Hub is far away from your Fibre Connection Box and connected with an extension cable, make sure you aren’t using a standard telephone cable. These aren’t designed to carry broadband signals and will likely cause slow speeds. We recommend using a longer Ethernet cable, an ADSL extension cable or a Wi-Fi Extender Kit to make your signal go further.

Your home

Here are some of the most common causes for slow broadband speeds within the home. 

Furniture and appliances

Some household objects can cause slow speeds. Electrical and Bluetooth appliances transmit signals which can interfere with Wi-Fi, whereas mirrors and radiators can stop Wi-Fi signals from passing through walls by reflecting them back into the room. Anything containing large amounts of water, like a fish tank or a boiler, can absorb Wi-Fi signals too.

Sharing your connection

Your broadband speed is shared amongst all connected devices. If everyone in your household is using the internet at the same time, you may get slower speeds. Downloading, streaming, gaming and other online activities that use a lot of bandwidth may also take a toll on your speed if you're doing them all at the same time.

Your building

Wi-Fi can pass through most obstacles easily. However, materials like brick, plaster, cement, stone, metal and double-glazed glass can block some of the signals. Some newer homes may even have plasterboard walls that are backed with aluminium foil, which can act as a barrier to Wi-Fi.

House size

The larger your house, the less likely it is that you’ll get a strong Wi-Fi signal in every room. We recommend using a Wi-Fi Extender Kit to boost your signal in any rooms that have Wi-Fi weak spots.

Devices and software

The devices you use play an important part in how much speed you can achieve. Here's how your devices and software can contribute to slow Wi-Fi speeds.

Older devices

Older devices have less capacity for high broadband speeds than newer ones. This can make your Wi-Fi feel slow regardless of the speed your router is giving out.

Viruses and spyware

Spyware slows your computer down by consuming its resources, and viruses eat up your connection by performing repetitive tasks, leaving little computing power for much else. Installing a good security suite can help protect you against attacks and clean your computer if it becomes infected. Check out our article on Using HomeSafe with Full Fibre to find out how to get better protection on your home broadband.

Software and apps

Running large applications and complex software on your devices can slow down all other tasks it performs, including those that use the Internet.

Connection type

Although it's not always convenient, a wired connection is faster and more stable than Wi-Fi. If you want faster speeds, trying connecting your device to your router with an Ethernet cable.

For more information about what can cause slow speeds with Full Fibre, choose an option below.

Here's how an incorrect setup can cause slow speeds.

Router setup

Here's what can cause slow speeds within your home.

Your home

Here's how your router and devices can cause slow speeds.

Your devices

Think you might have a fault?

If you've tried the above tips and none have helped, you might have a fault with your connection. If you suspect you might have a faulty line or equipment, chat to us in the TalkTalk PLUS app using the QR code or link below.

https://community.talktalk.co.uk/t5/Articles/What-affects-your-Full-Fibre-speed/ta-p/2585070

Router setup

Setting up your eero incorrectly will likely cause slow broadband speeds. Here are some common setup errors to avoid.

YOUR FIBRE CONNECTION BOX

Make sure your eero is connected to your Fibre Connection Box rather than your main socket or an extension socket. Your Fibre Connection Box on the wall (your engineer might call this the Optical Network Terminator or ONT) is where your Full Fibre connection enters your home. Your main socket is the entry point for your phone line and extension sockets are connected to your main socket with wiring that isn't built for transmitting broadband signals.

Your home

Here are some of the most common causes for slow broadband speeds within the home. 

FURNITURE AND APPLIANCES

Some household objects can cause slow speeds. Electrical and Bluetooth appliances transmit signals which can interfere with Wi-Fi, whereas mirrors and radiators can stop Wi-Fi signals from passing through walls by reflecting them back into the room. Anything containing large amounts of water, like a fish tank or a boiler, can absorb Wi-Fi signals too.

SHARING YOUR CONNECTION

Your broadband speed is shared amongst all connected devices. If everyone in your household is using the internet at the same time, you may get slower speeds. Downloading, streaming, gaming and other online activities that use a lot of bandwidth may also take a toll on your speed if you're doing them all at the same time.

YOUR BUILDING

Wi-Fi can pass through most obstacles easily. However, materials like brick, plaster, cement, stone, metal and double-glazed glass can block some of the signals. Some newer homes may even have plasterboard walls that are backed with aluminium foil, which can act as a barrier to Wi-Fi.

HOUSE SIZE

The larger your house, the less likely it is that you’ll get a strong Wi-Fi signal in every room. We recommend setting up additional eeros to boost your signal in any rooms that have Wi-Fi weak spots. If you don't have enough eeros, chat to us about Total Home Wi-Fi - this lets you request additional eeros and eliminate any remaining weak spots in your home Wi-Fi network. 

App shortcut

Select the link below to chat to us in the TalkTalk PLUS app.

TalkTalk PLUS app

TalkTalk PLUS app Message Centre QR code

on your mobile phone to load the TalkTalk PLUS app.

Devices and software

The devices you use play an important part in how much speed you can achieve. Here's how your devices and software can contribute to slow Wi-Fi speeds.

OLDER DEVICES

Older devices have less capacity for high broadband speeds than newer ones. This can make your Wi-Fi feel slow regardless of the speed your router is giving out.

VIRUSES AND SPYWARE

Spyware slows your computer down by consuming its resources, and viruses eat up your connection by performing repetitive tasks, leaving little computing power for much else. Installing a good security suite can help protect you against attacks and clean your computer if it becomes infected. Check out our article About eero Secure to find out how to get better protection on your home broadband.

SOFTWARE AND APPS

Running large applications and complex software on your devices can slow down all other tasks it performs, including those that use the Internet.

CONNECTION TYPE

Although it's not always convenient, a wired connection is faster and more stable than Wi-Fi. If you want faster speeds, trying connecting your device to your eero with an Ethernet cable.