Step 1: Is it Wi‑Fi or broadband?
Run a speed test on a laptop plugged in with a cable next to the router, then on Wi‑Fi in a problem area. If the wired test is slow, it's your broadband or router. If wired is fine but Wi‑Fi is poor, it's your wireless setup.
Common causes
- One router trying to cover a whole building. Thick walls, floors and kitchens block signal.
- Consumer extenders. They often halve speeds and confuse devices.
- Everything on 2.4 GHz. It's crowded and slow; modern devices should use 5 GHz (or 6 GHz with Wi‑Fi 6E/7).
- Interference from neighbours' networks, microwaves and some lighting.
- Guests sharing the business network, streaming video alongside your tills and VoIP phones.
- Old equipment that can't handle the number of devices you now have.
What actually fixes it
- Business-grade access points, cabled back to a switch and placed where people actually work.
- A quick survey to find dead spots and interference before buying anything.
- Separate networks for staff, guests and payment devices, with guests' speed limited.
- A 4G/5G backup connection so a broadband fault doesn't stop trading.
- Central monitoring, so problems are spotted before customers notice.
See networks & Wi‑Fi.
