Frustrated by buffering videos, dropped video calls, or downloads that take forever? You’re not alone. Thousands of Melbourne households and businesses deal with slow internet every day — and the good news is that most causes are fixable without waiting days for a technician.
In this guide we share 13 expert-backed ways to increase your internet speed in Melbourne, from quick free fixes to smarter hardware upgrades. Whether you’re on an NBN plan, a 5G home network, or legacy cable, these tips apply.
Step 1 – Test Your Current Internet Speed
Before you make any changes, you need a baseline. Head to Speedtest.net and click Go. It will measure your:
- Download speed — how fast data arrives at your device (measured in Mbps)
- Upload speed — how fast you send data (important for video calls, cloud backups)
- Ping / latency — delay in ms; lower is better for gaming and video calls
Compare your result against your ISP’s advertised plan speeds. If you’re getting less than 50–60% of your plan speed, something is wrong and these tips will help. Note: 1 Mbps = 0.125 MB/s, so a 100 Mbps plan lets you download roughly 12.5 MB per second.
📶 Run Your Free Speed Test Now
Takes 30 seconds — see exactly how fast your connection is before making any changes.
13 Ways to Increase Internet Speed in Melbourne
Work through these tips in order — the quick wins are listed first.
Restart (Power Cycle) Your Modem & Router
This is the single most effective free fix. Turn your modem off at the power point — not just with the button — wait 30–60 seconds, then turn it back on. This clears memory, flushes DNS caches, and forces a fresh connection to your ISP. Do this monthly as preventive maintenance. Many NBN modems in Melbourne benefit from regular resets because they rarely reboot automatically.
Upgrade or Replace Your Modem / Router
Routers older than 3–4 years are a hidden speed bottleneck. If your router only supports Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n), upgrading to a Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) model can dramatically improve speed and range across your Melbourne home. Make sure any new modem is compatible with your NBN connection type (FTTP, FTTC, HFC, etc.). Our WiFi setup experts can recommend the right device for your plan.
Use an Ethernet Cable Instead of Wi-Fi
Wireless connections lose speed through walls, interference, and distance. A wired Ethernet connection delivers full plan speeds with lower latency and zero interference. For desktop PCs, gaming consoles, or smart TVs — plug in directly. Our guide on Wi-Fi vs Ethernet shows wired connections are typically 2–5× faster in real-world Melbourne home testing.
Scan for Viruses & Malware
Malware running in the background can silently consume your bandwidth — uploading data, running crypto-mining scripts, or participating in botnets. Run a full scan with a reputable tool. Signs of infection include: unexplained data usage spikes, slowdowns only on one device, or strange background processes. If infected, Computer Cures’ virus removal service eliminates threats without data loss.
Reduce Internal Interference (Background Apps)
Cloud backup services (OneDrive, Google Drive, iCloud, Dropbox), antivirus database downloads, and automatic Windows/macOS updates all compete for your bandwidth. Schedule these tasks overnight or during off-peak hours. Check your Task Manager (Windows) or Activity Monitor (Mac) to identify bandwidth hogs. Also disable peer-to-peer features in apps like Dropbox and Windows Update Delivery Optimisation.
Eliminate External Wireless Interference
Baby monitors, cordless phones, microwave ovens, Bluetooth speakers, and neighbouring Wi-Fi networks all cause interference on the 2.4 GHz band. Move your router away from these devices and switch to the 5 GHz band where possible (it’s faster and less congested, but has shorter range). Learn more in our 5 GHz Wi-Fi guide.
Optimise Router Placement
Wi-Fi signals radiate in all directions. Place your router in a central, elevated, open position — not tucked inside a cupboard or behind a TV cabinet. Keep it away from brick walls, metal objects, and microwaves. In multi-storey Melbourne homes, placing the router on a middle floor typically gives the best coverage. For large or thick-walled homes, consider a mesh Wi-Fi system.
Change Your Wi-Fi Channel
If your neighbours’ routers are on the same channel as yours, you’ll experience congestion. Log into your router admin panel (usually at 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1) and change the wireless channel. For 2.4 GHz, use channels 1, 6, or 11 (non-overlapping). For 5 GHz, channels 36, 40, 44, or 48 are generally uncrowded. Free tools like Wi-Fi Analyzer (Android) show which channels are least congested in your area.
Replace or Shorten Old Telephone & Data Cables
Old, damaged, or excessively long telephone cables degrade ADSL and FTTC/FTTN NBN signals significantly. Even FTTP connections use internal Ethernet cabling that degrades over time. Have old internal cabling replaced or professionally installed by our data cabling team. Also install line filters on every telephone socket to protect DSL signals from voice interference.
Update Router Firmware & Device Drivers
Router manufacturers release firmware updates that fix bugs, patch security holes, and improve performance. Log into your router admin panel and check for updates — most modern routers (e.g. Netgear, TP-Link, ASUS) have an automatic update feature. Similarly, update your network adapter drivers on Windows PCs, and keep macOS/iOS fully updated. Outdated drivers can cause speed throttling.
Use a Faster DNS Server
DNS (Domain Name System) translates website addresses into IP addresses. Your ISP’s default DNS servers are often slow. Switching to Google (8.8.8.8 / 8.8.4.4) or Cloudflare (1.1.1.1) can reduce page-load times noticeably. Change DNS in your router settings to apply it to all devices, or change it individually in your device’s network settings. This is especially impactful in Melbourne suburbs where ISP DNS performance varies.
Set Up Quality of Service (QoS) on Your Router
Most modern routers include QoS (Quality of Service) settings that let you prioritise traffic for specific devices or apps. For example, you can give your work laptop or streaming TV priority over other devices. This won’t increase total bandwidth, but it ensures the most important devices get the best slice of your connection during peak hours. Find QoS in your router’s admin panel under Advanced or Traffic Control.
Contact Your ISP for a Line Test or Plan Upgrade
If none of the above resolves your issues, the problem may be on the ISP’s side. Call your ISP and request a line test — this checks the quality of the connection between your home and the local node or exchange. ISPs are obligated under Australian Consumer Law to deliver the speeds they advertise. If persistent speeds don’t meet your plan, you may be entitled to switch plans or providers without penalty. Computer Cures can liaise with your ISP on your behalf.
Wi-Fi vs Ethernet: Which Is Faster?
| Factor | Ethernet (Wired) | Wi-Fi 6 (5 GHz) | Wi-Fi 4 (2.4 GHz) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Max Speed | 1000 Mbps+ | Up to 600 Mbps | Up to 150 Mbps |
| Interference | None | Low | High |
| Latency (Ping) | 1–5 ms | 5–15 ms | 15–50 ms |
| Setup Ease | Requires cable run | Wireless – no cable | Wireless – no cable |
| Best For | Desktops, gaming, 4K streaming | Laptops, smartphones | Smart home devices |
Still Struggling with Slow Internet in Melbourne?
| Factor | Ethernet (Wired) | Wi-Fi 6 (5 GHz) | Wi-Fi 4 (2.4 GHz) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Max Speed | 1000 Mbps+ | Up to 600 Mbps | Up to 150 Mbps |
| Interference | None | Low | High |
| Latency (Ping) | 1–5 ms | 5–15 ms | 15–50 ms |
| Setup Ease | Requires cable run | Wireless – no cable | Wireless – no cable |
| Best For | Desktops, gaming, 4K streaming | Laptops, smartphones | Smart home devices |
Still Struggling with Slow Internet in Melbourne?
Our local WiFi and networking experts diagnose and fix slow internet issues same-day across Melbourne. We’ll test your line, optimise your setup, and liaise with your ISP if needed.
NBN-Specific Speed Tips for Melbourne
Melbourne has a mix of NBN connection types — FTTP (Fibre to the Premises), FTTC (Fibre to the Curb), FTTN (Fibre to the Node), and HFC (Hybrid Fibre Coaxial). Your maximum achievable speed depends on which type services your address. Here’s what you can do for each:
- FTTP: Can support speeds up to 1 Gbps — upgrade your plan if your current speed doesn’t meet your needs. Ensure your modem supports Gigabit Ethernet ports.
- FTTC: Speed is affected by the copper run from the curb to your home. Keep this short — if it’s longer than 30m, contact NBN Co.
- FTTN: Speed degrades with distance from the node. If you’re more than 1km from the node, you may want to consider asking NBN Co about an upgrade to FTTC or FTTP via the FTTP upgrade program.
- HFC (cable): Speed can slow during peak hours when many neighbours share the same segment. Contact your ISP to request a congestion review.
- All types: Ensure your modem’s VPI/VCI settings match your ISP’s requirements. Our NBN installation guide covers all connection types.
Frequently Asked Questions
Get Professional Internet Help in Melbourne Today
Computer Cures has helped thousands of Melbourne residents and businesses speed up their internet. We examine your connection, devices, and liaise with your ISP — no jargon, no fuss.
Another way to determine our internet speed is to access a service that allows us to run a test through their servers by sending our computer an information packet which our computer will send it back to them. In this way the site measures the time our computer needed to download and upload the information packet and informs us the internet speed of our bandwidth.