Last night, while I was watching YouTube videos on my laptop, my WiFi suddenly became very slow. The video started buffering again and again, and even simple websites were taking too much time to load. Like many other people, I started wondering to find reasons why internet slow at night, even though my connection works perfectly fine during the day.
I refreshed the page many times, closed and reopened the browser, and even switched WiFi off and on, but nothing worked. I was feeling really frustrated because I wanted to relax after a long hectic day, but my internet was ruining everything.
When I checked my speed using Google’s speed test, it showed only 6 Mbps, while in the morning I usually get around 70–100 Mbps. My basic internet plan offers up to 100 Mbps speed.
That’s when I decided to find the real reason behind this problem and test different solutions myself.
Quick Answer for : Why Does the Internet Become Slow at Night?
In most cases, the internet gets slower at night because of network congestion, ISP throttling, WiFi interference, too many connected devices, background downloads, and router performance issues. These problems can usually be fixed by changing WiFi settings, updating the router, and managing connected devices properly.
Why Internet Is Slow at Night: 6 Common Reasons?
After doing some research and observing my connection for several days, I realized that slow Wifi at night is not a random problem. In most cases, it happens because of these common reasons I have mentioned below:-
1. Network Congestion During Peak Hours
In the evening, most people return home and start using the internet at the same time. Some watch movies, scroll social media, attend online meetings, or play online games. When many users go online together, the network becomes overloaded. This is called network congestion. This evening slowdown the internet is very common, and many experts have also explained why your internet gets slows down at night because of heavy network traffic.
Many users search online to understand slow internet problems at night , and in most cases, network congestion is the main reason. In my case, my internet speed usually started dropping after 8:30 PM, while it remained stable during the day.
2. ISP Speed Throttling at Night
Some Internet Service Providers reduce users’ speed during peak hours to manage traffic. This practice is known as throttling.
When I compared my morning and night speed for several days, I noticed a clear pattern. My internet was always faster before noon and slower after sunset. Thus, throttling is the reason wifi slow at night but fast in morning.
3. WiFi Interference From Nearby Networks
If you live in an apartment or crowded area, many routers operate nearby. When multiple networks use the same channel, their signals interfere with each other.
After checking my router settings, I found that many nearby networks were using the same channel as mine.
4. Too Many Devices Connected at Once
Apart from the above issue, At night, multiple devices are usually connected at the same time, such as smartphones, laptops, smart TVs, and gaming consoles.
Because of this, my internet speed was divided between many users, which made everything slower.
5. Router Performance and Hardware Issues
Old routers, overheating, dust, outdated firmware, and hardware limitations can reduce performance, especially during heavy usage.
My router was almost four years old and had never been updated.
6. Background Updates and Automatic Downloads
Many devices download updates and files automatically at night. Windows updates, app updates, cloud backups, and game downloads often start in the background.
One night, my laptop was downloading a large Windows update, which used most of my bandwidth and slowed everything down.
How to Check If Your Internet Is Really Slow at Night
Before applying any fix, I wanted to confirm that the problem happened mainly at night.
I tested my internet speed in the morning, afternoon, and night for three days. I also checked ping and latency and tested the connection on both my mobile phone and laptop. The results clearly showed that my speed dropped after 9 PM almost every day.
How I Fixed My Slow Internet at Night (Step-by-Step Guide)
After understanding the main reasons behind my internet slowdown at night, I decided not to rely on random tips from the internet. Instead, I tested each solution carefully and followed this process for almost a week.
These steps helped me understand clearly why internet slow at night and how to fix it step by step.
Here is exactly what I did:
Step 1: I Checked My Internet Speed First
Around 9:30 PM, when my internet usually becomes slow, I ran a speed test on my laptop. The result was disappointing because it was showing only around 6 Mbps. This confirmed that the problem was real and not just in my head.
Step 2: I Restarted My Router and Waited Patiently
That night, at around 10 PM, I turned off my router and waited for about two minutes before switching it back on. Honestly, I didn’t expect much from this step, but after restarting, the connection felt slightly more stable.
Step 3: I Changed the WiFi Channel After Checking Nearby Networks
When I logged into my router settings, I noticed that many nearby WiFi networks were using the same channel as mine. So, I changed my channel from Auto to Channel 11. After doing this, my signal felt stronger and more consistent.
Step 4: I Switched My Laptop to the 5GHz Network
My router supports both 2.4GHz and 5GHz networks. Earlier, I was always connected to 2.4GHz. That night, I switched to the 5GHz band and immediately noticed faster loading and less buffering.
Step 5: I Updated My DNS Settings for Better Browsing
Next, I changed my DNS to Google DNS (8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4). After this change, websites started opening faster, and pages felt more responsive than before.
Step 6: I Removed Unused Devices From My WiFi
When I checked my router dashboard, I realized that some old phones and smart devices were still connected to my WiFi. I disconnected them to free up bandwidth for my laptop and phone.
Step 7: I Updated My Router Firmware for Long-Term Stability
Finally, I checked my router manufacturer’s website and found that a new firmware update was available. After installing it, my router started working more smoothly, and random disconnections stopped.
After following all these steps, I waited for the next few nights to see if the improvement was permanent. Thankfully, my internet speed remained stable, and the night-time internet slowdown problem did not return.
My Results After Fixing Slow WiFi Issues.
After applying these changes, I tested my speed again.
👉 Before: 6 Mbps
👉 After: 100 Mbps
Videos stopped buffering, websites loaded faster, and online calls became smooth.
The most helpful fixes for me were changing the WiFi channel, using the 5GHz network, restarting the router, and updating DNS.
Common Mistakes That Make Internet Slower at Night
Many people unknowingly make mistakes that worsen their internet speed.
Some restart the router repeatedly, ignore firmware updates, buy low-quality extenders, or never contact their ISP even when the issue is from their side.
Avoiding these mistakes can save time and frustration.
How to Fix Slow Mobile Internet at Night
If your mobile data is slow at night, it is usually because of tower congestion.
Try switching between 4G and 5G, resetting network settings, and checking APN configuration. These steps often improve mobile speed.
Advanced Fixes for Very Slow Internet at Night
If basic fixes do not work, try advanced methods.
Enable Quality of Service (QoS) to prioritize important devices. Change MTU size if needed. Perform a factory reset if problems continue. For large homes, consider using a mesh WiFi system.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Why is my internet fast in the morning but slow at night?
Because most users go online at the same time in the evening.
Does restarting the router daily help?
Restarting once a week is usually enough.
Can VPN slow down the internet at night?
Yes, VPNs can reduce speed during peak hours.
Is slow internet at night normal?
Yes, but it can be improved with proper settings.
Should I upgrade my internet plan?
Only if your current plan does not meet your needs.
Conclusion:
Slow internet at night is usually caused by congestion, interference, background downloads, or router issues. In most cases, you do not need to spend money to fix it.
In my experience, simple changes like managing devices, using 5GHz WiFi, updating firmware, and adjusting settings were enough to improve speed.
Now you clearly know why internet slow at night and what practical steps you can take to improve your internet speed. If your internet is still slow after trying everything, contact your ISP for professional support.
Final Tip for Readers
Have you tried any of these fixes? Let me know in the comments which one worked for you. Your experience might help other readers too.
You can also explore more WiFi and internet troubleshooting guides on gettechinfo.com.
