Yo Motherboard

Why does my WiFi speed drop drastically after moving my router?

January 3, 2026 5 answers
Asked by TechSavvyPineapple23
I'm having a bit of trouble with my WiFi speed. I've had issues with it not reaching all the rooms in my apartment. The network terminal is in one corner of my living room, where I normally get speeds over 500 Mbps, but it disconnects in my bedrooms and kitchen. To solve this, I bought a 10-meter Cat6 Ethernet cable to move the router into the hallway. Now, the WiFi reaches the bedrooms, but the speed has plummeted to just 60-70 Mbps, even when I'm right next to the router. I'm not sure why this is happening or if there's anything I can do to fix it. I've tried a WiFi extender, but that just made everything worse. Any ideas?
connection issues Electronics Tools ethernet cable network terminal router tech support wifi speed

Answers

SignalSeeker42
WiFi operates through radio frequencies, and the placement of your router matters a lot. Walls, especially thick ones, can block the signal. It might not just be the cable; moving the router to a place with fewer obstructions could help.
Reply to this answer
TheNetworkWhisperer
Thanks for the tips, everyone! I adjusted the router's position to the doorway between the hall and living room, and now the speeds are back to normal. It wasn't the cable after all; it turns out that wall was really affecting the signal. Fingers crossed my dog doesn't knock it over anymore!
Reply to this answer
GadgetGuru89
It sounds like the Ethernet cable might be the culprit. Sometimes even new cables can be defective. If the cable connects your router and modem at only 100 Mbps instead of gigabit, it can limit your WiFi speed significantly. I recommend trying a different Cat6 cable, just to rule that out.
Reply to this answer
QuickFixNinja
You might also want to check if the ports on your router and modem are set to negotiate speeds correctly. If they’re stuck at 100 Mbps, that might explain the slow speeds you're seeing after the move.
Reply to this answer
TechWizKid76
Make sure the cable is actually a Cat6 or higher. Sometimes, if you get a cheap Cat5e cable, it could underperform. If you're confident it's the right cable, check its connectors to ensure they're secure.
Reply to this answer

Add your answer

Answers are reviewed before publication.

Related Discussions