A slow NBN connection is frustrating, but most causes are simple to find and fix. This quick guide covers the essentials, including how to run a reliable Ethernet-first NBN speed test, understand Typical Evening Speeds, and tell the difference between peak-time congestion and an actual fault.
Knowing the NBN speed basics can help you diagnose common connection issues quickly.
For fast help, email [email protected]. This automatically creates a ticket so our team can respond quickly.
1. Why Is My NBN Speed So Slow? Quick Checks
Work through these checks in order. Most take just 5–10 minutes.
Reboot your equipment properly
Power off your NBN NTD or modem and router for 60 seconds. Then restart the NBN NTD or modem first, followed by the router.
Test one device at a time
Pause cloud backups, software updates and streaming. Disconnect other devices where possible to make sure they are not using your available bandwidth.
Use Ethernet first
Wi-Fi can introduce variables such as interference, range and device limitations. Therefore, connect your computer directly to your router with an Ethernet cable for the most reliable speed test.
Check your Wi-Fi connection
If you need to test over Wi-Fi, stand close to your router and use the 5 GHz network where available. It generally provides faster speeds than 2.4 GHz, although it has a shorter range.
Improve router placement
Place your router centrally and in an elevated, open position. Keep it away from thick walls, large appliances and other sources of interference.
Update your router firmware
Check your router’s administration page or mobile app for available firmware updates. Keeping your router up to date can improve performance and reliability.
Disable VPNs and proxies
VPNs, proxies and some security scans can reduce throughput or increase latency. Temporarily disable them when running a speed test.
Check your cables
Make sure your Ethernet and other network cables are securely connected and free from damage. For Ethernet testing, use a CAT5e cable or better.
Consider the time of day
If your connection only slows between 7 pm and 11 pm, congestion could be the cause. On the other hand, if speeds remain slow throughout the day, there may be another issue that needs investigation.
If speeds are good over Ethernet but slow over Wi-Fi, the problem is likely within your home network. Coverage, interference and device limitations can all affect Wi-Fi performance. If you share your home layout and device mix with us, we can help you optimise your Wi-Fi.
2. How to Run a Reliable NBN Speed Test
For a trustworthy result, test your connection over Ethernet before troubleshooting Wi-Fi.
NBN recommends using Ookla Speedtest. Run your test at speedtest.net, then copy the result URL so you can share it with us.
Follow these steps
- Connect your computer directly to your router using Ethernet. Where applicable, you can connect directly to the NBN NTD.
- Disable Wi-Fi on the computer.
- Close heavy applications, including streaming services, cloud drives and downloads.
- Run two tests at speedtest.net:
- One during off-peak hours, such as the morning or afternoon.
- One during peak hours, between 7 pm and 11 pm local time.
- Copy the Speedtest result link and take a screenshot of each result.
How to read your results
Download and upload speed (Mbps): Compare these figures with your plan’s advertised speed and Typical Evening Speed.
Ping (ms): Lower ping generally means a more responsive connection. High ping can make browsing, gaming and video calls feel laggy.
Jitter (ms): Jitter measures fluctuations in latency. High or inconsistent jitter can contribute to buffering, stuttering and poor-quality calls.
Understanding these NBN speed basics makes it easier to determine whether your connection is performing as expected.
Send us your results
Email your Speedtest links and screenshots to [email protected]. Include the time of each test and confirm whether you used Ethernet or Wi-Fi.
This information helps our team provide more targeted advice.
3. What Speeds Should I Expect on My NBN Plan?
Your plan’s advertised speed is not necessarily the speed you will see at every moment of the day.
Plan speed vs real-world performance
A plan such as 100/40 Mbps refers to the maximum download and upload speeds associated with the plan. Real-world speeds can vary depending on several factors.
What is Typical Evening Speed?
Typical Evening Speed (TES) shows the average speed customers can expect during the busy evening period, generally between 7 pm and 11 pm.
Therefore, TES can provide a more useful benchmark than the maximum plan speed when you are checking your connection during peak hours.
What can affect your speed?
Several factors can influence your actual results, including:
- Wi-Fi quality and coverage
- The age and capabilities of your device
- Distance from your router
- Network congestion
- VPNs and proxies
- Background downloads and updates
- Router and network hardware
As a general rule, if your Ethernet speed consistently matches your plan speed and Typical Evening Speed, your NBN connection is likely performing normally. Any remaining slowness may instead relate to your Wi-Fi network or device.
However, if Ethernet speeds are consistently well below your Typical Evening Speed during both peak and off-peak periods, further investigation may be needed.
4. Peak-Time Congestion or an NBN Fault?
The timing and pattern of your slow speeds can provide useful clues.
Slow only at night
If speeds drop mainly between 7 pm and 11 pm, peak-time congestion may be a factor. Send us speed tests from both peak and off-peak periods so we can review the results.
Slow all day
If your connection remains slow throughout the day, including over Ethernet, the issue could relate to your NBN connection, provisioning or network hardware.
Fast on Ethernet but slow on Wi-Fi
This usually points to a Wi-Fi issue rather than the NBN connection itself. Router placement, interference, coverage and device limitations may all play a role.
Frequent drop-outs or high ping and jitter
First, check your cables, connections and power. If the problem continues, contact us so we can investigate further.
5. What to Include When Contacting FibreMax
To help us troubleshoot your connection faster, include:
- Your plan name and NBN technology, such as FTTP, HFC, FTTC or FTTN
- The device used for each test
- Whether each test used Ethernet or Wi-Fi
- Your laptop or phone model
- Speedtest links and screenshots from both off-peak and peak periods
- The date and time of each test
- Any error messages or connection drop-outs
- Your address or account number for verification
Send everything to [email protected]. This creates a ticket in our system, allowing the appropriate engineer to review your connection and respond quickly.
By understanding the NBN speed basics and following a consistent testing process, you can quickly identify whether the problem is related to Wi-Fi, peak-time congestion or your NBN connection itself.
