During the day the internet runs smoothly, but in the evening videos start buffering and games begin to lag. This is a fairly common experience. The causes can vary, and they don't always come from the internet network itself.
This article helps you figure out whether the problem lies with your home WiFi or with the network, using simple steps you can try yourself.
Why Does the Internet Feel Slower at Night?
Around 7 PM to 10 PM is usually the busiest time at home. Everyone is back, and at the same time they are streaming, gaming, video calling, and scrolling social media. On top of that, smart TVs, CCTV, and other devices stay connected.
Your plan's speed is shared among all the devices active at that moment. In addition, your neighbors' WiFi is also busy at the same hours, so the WiFi signal in your home is more easily disrupted. So, a slower connection at night doesn't necessarily mean the internet network is at fault.
Step 1: Compare LAN Cable and WiFi
This is the easiest way to separate WiFi problems from network problems.
- Connect a laptop to the router with a LAN cable, then run a speed test.
- Unplug the cable, connect over WiFi from the room where the internet usually feels slow, and test again.
If the wired result is fast but the WiFi result is much lower, the problem is with your home WiFi. Common causes:
- Distance and walls: the farther away and the more walls in between, the weaker the signal.
- 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz: 5 GHz is faster close to the router, while 2.4 GHz reaches farther but is more prone to interference.
- Too many devices connected to WiFi at once.
- Interference from neighbors' WiFi using the same channel, especially on the 2.4 GHz network.
We've covered tips for improving your WiFi signal in the article Slow home WiFi? 7 simple tips.
Step 2: Check for Devices Hogging Bandwidth
Sometimes a single device quietly uses a lot of bandwidth, for example:
- A laptop or game console downloading an update.
- A phone backing up photos and videos to the cloud.
- CCTV continuously uploading recordings.
- A large file download you forgot to stop.
Open the Pemakaian (Usage) menu in the Customer Portal to monitor daily usage, and check the Perangkat Terhubung (Connected Devices) list in the WiFi menu. See how in the article how to check usage and run a speed test in the portal. Try scheduling updates and backups outside peak hours, for example at midnight.
Step 3: Speed Test to the GISNET Server
Run the Speed Test in the Customer Portal. This test measures your connection directly to the GISNET server, including download, upload, ping, and jitter. It's best done over a LAN cable so the results aren't affected by WiFi conditions.
You can also compare it with other speed test apps. If the result to the GISNET server is good but tests to other servers are lower, the slowdown is likely happening along the route or at the destination server, not on your home connection.
Step 4: Is It Only One Website or App?
If only one app is slow, such as a single streaming service or one game, while other websites and apps are normal, the problem may be on that service's server side. Popular services also have peak hours at night. Try again a little later, or check whether other users are experiencing the same thing.
Step 5: Restart the Router
A router that has been running for days sometimes needs refreshing. You can do this from the WiFi menu in the Customer Portal with the Reboot Router button, even when you are not at home. The internet will be disconnected for a few minutes while the router restarts.
While you wait, watch the lights on the modem. You can check what each light means in the article what the lights on your fiber ONT modem mean.
Quick Table: Symptoms and Solutions
| Symptom | Likely cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| LAN cable fast, WiFi slow | Distance, walls, interference from neighbors' WiFi | Move the device closer, use 5 GHz, adjust the router's position |
| Slow only in certain rooms | Weak WiFi signal in that room | Switch to 2.4 GHz, or add a properly configured signal extender |
| All devices slow at the same time | A device is updating, backing up, or downloading something large | Check the Usage and Connected Devices menus, schedule updates outside peak hours |
| Only one website or app is slow | That service's server is busy | Try again later, compare with other apps |
| Connection abnormal after running for a long time | The router needs refreshing | Reboot Router through the portal |
| Still slow even over a cable | The network side needs checking | Report to support with your wired speed test results |
No FUP, No Throttling at Night
All GISNET plans are unlimited with no FUP. Your speed is never reduced because of heavy usage, and there are no special restrictions at certain hours, including at night. The explanation is in the article the benefits of internet with no FUP.
Even so, connection quality can still be affected by many things, such as WiFi conditions, devices, and destination servers. If the internet still feels slow after all the steps above, contact the GISNET support team via WhatsApp at 0857-0629-9235. Include your speed test results over a LAN cable along with the time of testing, so the NOC team can investigate faster. Our technical and NOC teams are on standby 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
For Businesses That Need Guaranteed Bandwidth
Home plans use a broadband service. For offices or businesses that need guaranteed bandwidth at all times, consider an internet dedicated service. You can read about the difference in the article internet dedicated vs broadband.
Not a subscriber yet? See GISNET plans or check the coverage area.
