When the Internet or Wi-Fi speeds on your Google Nest Wifi or Google Wifi are slow, it can affect the performance of all of your devices. Devices can include phones, tablets, computers, TVs, smart displays and speakers, and anything else connected to your Wifi router or points.
Too far from your Wifi pointThe closer that your device is to your Wifi router or point, the better your Wi-Fi can perform. Your Wifi router and points should be centrally located. Make sure that there is a clear line of sight between your router and points and that there isn’t anything too close to your router or points that may physically block the signal to your device. Learn where to put your Wifi points.
Whenever a device connects to your Wi-Fi network, it competes with other devices for bandwidth (Internet speed). A TV streaming Netflix, a laptop downloading and an Xbox live gaming session all require bandwidth, and depending on your service, performing multiple high-bandwidth activities at the same time may result in a slower connection.
To solve this:
- Make sure that all unused devices are off and do not drain bandwidth with large downloads. Learn more about which devices are connected to your network and review their data usage.
- Set a priority device or change your activity preferences to streamline bandwidth.
- Call your ISP and upgrade your plan to get more bandwidth.
You can restart your modem to fix Internet connection problems, improve slow performance and resolve common wireless issues. Even if your modem appears to be working correctly, you may need to restart it to establish a secure connection to the Wifi point.
Here’s how to reboot a modem:
- Unplug the power cable from the modem.
- Wait 2 minutes.
- Reconnect the power cable to the modem.
- Wait for the modem and router or primary Wifi point to boot up and the Internet light to turn on, then check if your connection speed has improved.
Nest Wifi and Google Wifi support 10/100/1000 Mbps (Megabits per second) on the Ethernet port. However, your Internet speeds will be limited by the slowest component on your network. It can be reduced to 100 Mbps or 10 Mbps if the connection on the path to the Internet doesn’t support the higher speed.
If you’re not getting your expected Internet speeds in your Internet speed test, or if you have received a priority event notice for limited Ethernet speeds in your Google Home app feed:
- Check if you have an Ethernet cable with a speed rating that's lower than the expected speeds from your Internet Service Provider (ISP).
- Important: Cat 5e or Cat 6 cables are recommended for Internet speeds faster than 100 Mbps.
- Check the Ethernet port ratings of any equipment in your network. Examples: Switch, modem, splitter, etc.
- They should all be rated as fast or faster than the speed from your ISP.
- The software configuration of your equipment could also be reducing your network’s speed.
Your Internet Service Provider (ISP) controls the initial bandwidth and speed of the Internet coming into your home. This can affect the Internet speed to all of your devices.
You may temporarily receive slow Internet from your ISP if they are working on their network in your area or have made other changes. Your speed could also be limited based on your plan.
If you have recurring problems with slow Internet, ask your ISP if there are any current issues that might be slowing your Internet, or if there is anything they can do to improve your speed.
If one or more wireless routers broadcast Wi-Fi near your Wifi router or points, this may cause interference. As a result, your Wi-Fi performance can suffer.
If another router broadcasts the same Wi-Fi network name as your Google Nest Wifi router or Google Wifi point, your devices may jump between your points and the other router or your devices might not be able to connect.
Try to turn off Wi-Fi on the non-Google router or move the routers farther apart.
Turn off Wi-Fi on non-Google Wi-Fi routerOne solution is to turn off Wi-Fi on your other router (not Google Nest Wifi or Google Wifi devices). Check the lights in the front of the router. Most routers have a light indicating whether the wireless radios are active or inactive. The light may look like this: .
To disable Wi-Fi, go into the router’s settings and turn off the wireless option. To access your router’s settings, you may have to open an Internet browser while connected to the non-Google router. Then open an Internet browser and enter your router’s IP address in the address bar, like this:
Steps will vary depending on the router. If your router was supplied by your ISP, they can assist in turning off your Wi-Fi. Many ISPs and manufacturers provide instructions on how to do this.
Network insights
Wi-Fi network insights may be available in your Google Home Feed 
If you received a related network insight, check your insight message below for more information:
Ethernet connection is limiting your network speed
This insight is shown when a speed test has been performed recently in which the link speed of your network was 100 Mbps or lower, and your point’s speed was 90% or less than the speed of your router. This is likely to mean that you have an issue with your Ethernet cables, connection or other networking equipment.
Slow Internet speeds – Internet Service Providers (ISP)
You’ll receive this alert when Nest Wifi or Google Wifi determines that your Internet requests are taking longer to complete than expected. Nest Wifi and Google Wifi send test packets to detect slowness in your Internet Service Provider’s (ISP) network. They can then determine in this situation that the Internet is most likely to be slow because of an issue with your ISP.
Your ISP controls the initial bandwidth and speed of the Internet coming into your home. To improve your speed, you’ll need to check with your provider to understand if this is a temporary issue or something they can correct.
Fix: Review Internet Service Provider issues above and contact your ISP.
Slow Internet speeds – network congestion
You’ll receive this alert when Nest Wifi or Google Wifi detects that your Internet is slow because of congestion or a lack of bandwidth.
This means that the devices running in your home may be exceeding the bandwidth capacity provided by your ISP. When you run out of bandwidth, your Internet will slow down.
Fix: Review your network usage and turn off unneeded devices running on your network.
Related articles
Test mesh connection between Wifi points
Test Wi-Fi speed to connected devices
Networking issues
Hardwire Nest Wifi routers, Google Wifi points and other devices
How many Google Nest or Google Wifi points do I need?
Device can't connect to my Nest Wifi or Google Wifi network