Fibre Internet Problems: 7 Common Issues Solved
Fibre internet is key for many homes in New Zealand, but issues like slow internet, lost links, and weak Wi-Fi can mess up your day. Often, these troubles have easy fixes you can try at once. Here's a brief look at usual fibre internet problems and ways to fix them:
Slow Speeds: Look for too many users, old routers, or lots of devices on the internet.
Connection Drops: Put your router in the right place, check the wires, and reset your ONT and router.
Weak Wi-Fi Signals: Move your router to a better place, switch frequency bands, or think about getting a mesh system.
Setup Delays: Double-check cables, look for ISP updates, and make sure your gear matches.
Device Won’t Connect: Turn the device off and on, look at software settings, or fix the network set-up.
Plan Limits: If your speeds fit your plan but still seem slow, think about moving to a better plan.
For many problems, turning your modem, router, or devices off and on can help. If nothing fixes it, talk to your internet provider for help. Keep your gear up to date and in the right spot for a steady link.
Slow Internet Speed
Not much is as bad as buying a fast internet plan, only to get slow internet. It might work fast in the day but gets slow when everyone in the area is online too.
Why Internet is Slow
A big cause is network jam. Think of city roads in busy times - between 7:00 PM and 10:00 PM, shared nets can get as full.
Old tools are a common problem too. If your router is old with only Wi-Fi 5, your speeds could be no more than 100 Mbps, even when your fibre plan says it's more. Old modems with 100 Mbps ports can also limit your speed.
Then there's the problem of too many tools using the internet. See how many gear we have now: phones, tablets, smart TVs, game sets, and even IoT things like smart speakers and cams - all using the same internet.
Wi-Fi clashes can happen too. In flats or homes in cities, many Wi-Fi networks may mix on the same paths. Add noise from house gear like microwaves, baby sound things, or Bluetooth gear, and your internet might drop even more.
Lastly, secret updates and uploads can take up a lot of internet. Your game set might be getting a big update while your phone saves pics and your laptop syncs files - all at once.
Seeing these causes is the first step to making your internet better.
How to Fix Slow Internet
Test your speed at different times. Use tools like Speedtest.net or your provider’s checker (on a tool with a wire) to see how your speeds are in busy and calm times.
Turn your gear off and on. Unplug your modem and router for 30 seconds, then plug in the modem first. Wait a bit before turning on the router. Do this each month to clear saved junk and fix small bugs.
Get a new router if yours is old. A Wi-Fi 6 router can make a big change, mostly for homes with a lot of devices. A new router might cost some money in New Zealand, but usually, it’s worth it. Put the router in the middle, up high, and away from walls or metal things.
Change your router’s path. On the 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz path, moving to a less busy path can cut down on clashes. You can often change this in your router’s control place (often at 192.168.1.1). Many routers pick a path by themselves too.
Set times for big internet uses. Have big downloads or system updates in the early morning or late night. You can also set your router to pick what tasks should get more internet, like video calls over other things.
Use a wire for key tools. For game sets, desktops, or smart TVs, a wire can give more steady speeds, leaving Wi-Fi for phones and other small tools.
Do malware checks. Bad software you can't see may use up lots of your internet speed without you knowing it. Scan often to keep your link fast and clean.
Link Keeps Going Out
When your call or stream gets cut off, it feels bad and messes things up. If it keeps happening, even the top fibre internet may seem not worth it, making you ask if you are really getting what you paid for.
What's Wrong
A few things might be why your link keeps cutting out. Here are some usual ones:
Gear and power problems: A bad power source for your ONT or a busy router can cause the link to drop.
Bad router spot: If your router is hidden in a closet or close to tools, it might block signals, leading to cuts.
Wi-Fi fight from next door: In tight spaces like flats, crossing networks, mainly on busy nights, can mess with your link.
Too much internet use: When lots of people are online, it can slow down your internet, make it seem like it's cutting out.
Once you spot the likely issue, you can start to fix it.
Stop Losing Your Link
First, see if there's a internet cut in your area. Check your internet provider's site or social media pages.
Reset your gear: Start by turning off your router and ONT. Flip them off, wait half a minute (or two minutes for the ONT), then turn them back on - ONT first, then the router. Wait for the lights to steady [3].
For a full reset, turn off both bits, wait a quarter of an hour, then turn them on again in that order. This lets your gear link up with the internet right [1].
Look at lights: Check your modem and ONT lights. Green or blue lights mostly mean all is good. Red lights - especially on the Optical/PON or Alarm/LOS lights on your ONT - mean you should call your provider right away. In October 2024, 2degrees told users to report red lights on these spots [2].
Check wires and move your router: Be sure cables are okay and well linked. Ethernet wires should click when you plug them in. Use the "Out, Up, and Open" rule for placing your router: keep it open, high, and in the middle of the room, away from stuff like microwaves, TVs, and baby alarms that can mess with the signal.
Pick a new router path: For 2.4 GHz internets, paths 1, 6, and 11 are best as they don’t cross. While many routers pick paths on their own, choosing on your own might work better in busy areas.
Try a mesh setup: If some parts of your home always lose Wi-Fi, a mesh setup like SuperWiFi can end dead spots and give steady coverage all over your place.
Stop auto-switching on gear: If your gear keeps swappingnetworks (like from 2.4 GHz to 5 GHz), turning off auto-switching can keep your link strong.
If these steps don't help, it’s time to reach out to tech help. They can check if the trouble is with your internet, your gear, or if you need a better setup.
Weak Wi-Fi Signal
A weak Wi-Fi signal can spoil your fast internet fun. It can make web pages slow to load, video calls choppy, and signal bars low, hurting the fast, reliable service you expect from your setup.
Finding Wi-Fi Signal Problems
One main reason for weak Wi-Fi signals is how far you are from your router. The more the distance, the weaker your connection becomes. Thick walls and other blocks can stop signals, while nearby electronics or too many networks can make it worse.
You might see that your signal is good close to the router but gets bad or drops in other parts of your house.
Making Wi-Fi Signal Stronger
Here are some easy steps to boost your Wi-Fi signal:
Move Your Router: Keep it central, up high, away from metal and other electronics that could mess with it.
Change Frequency Bands: If you can, switch between 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz. The 5 GHz is quicker but doesn’t reach as far, while 2.4 GHz goes further.
Switch Wi-Fi Channels: Other networks might interfere. Picking a less busy channel could help.
Get a Mesh Wi-Fi System: For big homes or if you have dead spots, a mesh system uses many points to cover more area.
Update Your Router's Firmware: Keep your router’s software fresh for better stability and performance.
Position Antennas Right: If your router has external antennas, try one up and one sideways to spread the reach.
These changes can greatly improve your Wi-Fi, with no big changes needed.
If these steps don’t fix the issue, it might be time for a new router. An old one might not be strong enough for your home's layout. A newer, better router can make a huge difference in getting the strong, steady Wi-Fi you need.
Setting Up Your Fiber Internet
Getting fiber internet should be easy, but things don't always go right. Delays in cable work or wiring issues can slow things down. To keep these from being big problems, watch for them from the start.
Delays in Setting Things Up
A big reason fiber setups can slow down is the need for new cables to hook up to your home or the main network. Sometimes, unexpected issues like old wiring or the need for more tools aren't seen early on. This can cause delays. Your internet service needs to let you know about any hold-ups. If your setup date has passed and you've heard nothing, it's good to call them. When everything is in, make sure it works right by following these steps.
How to Fix Setup Issues
If you run into problems after setting up, here's what to do.
Check if there's a network issue in your area. Most internet companies have a page where you can see if there are problems nearby. They might share updates on social media too, so it's smart to check.
Look over all your cables. Make sure the Ethernet and power cables are well hooked-up between the ONT (Optical Network Terminal), modem, and router. For instance, the Ethernet cable needs to go from the ONT's GE1 port to the modem's WAN port, which is often red. A small damage to a cable can break your connection, so check them well.
Look at the lights on your modem and ONT. A steady green or blue light means it's working, while red or flashing lights show there's a problem.
If you set up the modem on your own, see that the WAN light is steady green, which means it's working. If you use your own router, check if it works with fiber well and can take the speed you picked. Also, make sure the right WAN details are in, like your PPPoE username and password, and connection type.
If just one device is having trouble, try restarting it or checking its network details.
If nothing else works, a restart might do the trick. Turn off your modem and ONT, wait a bit, then turn them back on. Let them restart all the way, and you might get your connection back.
One Device Won't Link
If most of your tools are fine with your fast web but one device just won't link, the problem is likely with that tool - not your whole web set. This happens a lot with laptops, phones, or tablets that can't join a good internet link.
Why One Tool May Have Issues
The main cause is often software that gets in the way. A lot of tools start with security setups or web tools, like "Killer" software made for gamers, which can stop web settings or stop pop-up login boxes from showing up. Another big issue is a tool not getting a new IP address because of DHCP lease fights. Old or broken web drivers can also mess up a smooth link [4].
Ways to Fix Issues with One Device
Fixing one tool needs some changes to software and web setups. Here’s what you can try:
Look for bad software: Check for antivirus programs or web tools already on the device that may be problems. Turn them off or take them off, then restart the tool to see if that fixes it.
Change DHCP setups: If software isn't the trouble, go into your router’s admin area to look at the DHCP setups. Set the DHCP lease time to about a week - this helps tools that don’t link often keep their IP addresses without needing new ones a lot. If you have many tools, think about making the DHCP pool bigger to make sure there are enough IP addresses around.
Restart your devices: Turn off your router to clear old DHCP leases and let tools link again. Then, restart the device that won’t link to force it to start fresh.
Forget and link again to Wi-Fi: If nothing else works, forget the Wi-Fi network on the tool that has trouble and join again. This clears any saved link data that might be causing the trouble.
Internet Plan Limits
If you've tried to fix your tech and changed your setup but your internet still runs slow, the problem might not be tech - it could be your plan itself. Sometimes, fibre internet does not do well not because of tech faults but because the plan you picked does not fit your home's needs. When tech fixes do not help, it’s smart to think if your subscription is the real hold-up.
Knowing Plan Limits
A clear sign that your plan is too low is when your speed tests always match the speed your plan says. To check this, use tools like Speedtest.net to see your connection speed. Then, see if those numbers line up with what your provider said you'd get [5][6]. If your speeds match your plan but still don’t fit your usage needs, it’s likely time for a better plan.
Getting a Better Internet Plan
If speed tests show your plan is too weak, start by turning off devices you’re not using. Then, talk to your internet provider to look at better plans. For a full look at fibre internet plans for homes or businesses, go to fibredeals.co.nz.
When getting a better plan, think ahead. With more folks working from home, the rise of smart home tools, and the need for top-quality streaming, your internet needs are set to grow. Good news is, getting a better plan is often fast and simple - just a call or an online form away.
Wrap up
Fibre problems can often be fixed with easy steps. The usual troubles - like slow speeds, lost links, bad Wi-Fi, set up issues, device problems, or plan caps - are often easy to fix. Start by turning off then on your modem and Fibre ONT, looking out for outages, and doing a speed check for a better look at your link. These fast moves can often spot the issue and lead you to the fix plans talked about before.
For hard problems, look more at your set up. Make sure your router is in the best spot, use wires for key devices, and think about mesh systems to cover any gaps. If these moves don’t fix it, it might be time to ask for help from a pro.
Fibre tech is made to give fast, solid work we all want. With checks often, smart router spots, and good care, most problems can be kept off or solved. And if things still aren't right, talking to your ISP is always a smart move.
FAQs
How do I know if my slow fiber internet is from too many users or old gear?
To find out if your slow fiber internet comes from too many users or old gear, first run a speed test. Hook up your device straight to your modem with an Ethernet cord and check if the speeds match what your internet plan says. If the test shows slow speeds time after time, it might be a sign of a bigger issue.
Next, check if all devices are slow. If every gadget is slow, too many users might be using the internet, mainly during busy times like weekday nights from 6 pm to 11 pm. But if just one gadget is slow, the problem could just be with that one.
Lastly, look at your gear. Old modems or routers may not work well with new fiber speeds. If your router is old, getting a new one made for fiber might make your internet work better.
When should I get a better fibre internet plan for my home?
If your home's fibre plan is not meeting your needs, it may be time to think about a better one. You may need this if you face a lot of pauses while watching videos, slow speeds when many devices are connected, bad video calls, or delays in online games.
Also, if more people are in your home or you are using more apps that need a lot of data, moving to a higher plan can help. A new plan will keep your internet fast and steady, even if you use it more.