Where does Wi-Fi add lag?
Every room reaches the same server over the same line, so when one room is slower or spikier than another, the difference is your Wi-Fi. Test a few rooms and The Net Fix ranks them and says what to change.
Test a room
Take this phone, tablet or laptop to where you play or call, name the room and test for 10 seconds. Then do the same in other rooms. Close other downloads on this device first.
The results stay on this device. Spikes in every room? Try the spike finder or the Lag Check.
How it works
Every room reaches the same server over the same internet line, so any difference between rooms is your Wi-Fi. In each room the check times round trips for 10 seconds, then compares the rooms: how much ping Wi-Fi adds over your best room, how spiky each room is, and whether any packets got lost. Results stay on this device.
Reading your result
- Slow room
- Wi-Fi adds steady lag here: the signal is weak. Move the router into the open, use 5 GHz, or add a mesh point between it and this room.
- Spiky room
- Round trips jump here. That's usually a crowded channel or interference: pick a less busy channel and keep the router away from microwaves and baby monitors.
- Every room the same
- Wi-Fi isn't the problem. If the lag remains, test the line with the Lag Check.
Questions
How do I find Wi-Fi dead spots in my house?
Run this check in each room you use, then compare: the rooms where Wi-Fi adds the most lag are the dead spots. Fix unstable Wi-Fi covers the fixes in order of cost.
Is a mesh system better than an extender?
Usually. A mesh system gives one network that hands devices between points; an extender often halves the speed and adds lag. A cable to the gaming room beats both.