You click a link, nothing happens. You open YouTube, but the spinner just spins. Your video call freezes mid-sentence.
If you’re in Nakuru and asking “why is my internet so slow?” you’re not imagining it. Slow internet is one of the most common complaints from home and business users, and most of the time, there’s a real reason behind it.
Here are seven of the main culprits, plus what you can actually do about each one.
Check Where Your Router Is Placed
This is one of the most overlooked reasons for slow internet, and it costs people more frustration than they do realize.
Your router sends out a wireless signal in all directions. The further your device is from the router, the weaker that signal gets.
Research on Wi-Fi signal behavior shows that doubling the distance between your device and your router drops your speed by about a third – and that’s in an open space. Walls, metal surfaces, and heavy furniture make it even worse.
Here’s what you should do:
- Move your router to a central spot in your home, not tucked in a corner or hidden in a cupboard.
- Place it higher up on a shelf rather than on the floor.
- Keep it away from microwaves, fridges, and other electronics that emit signals.
If you live in a large house and the signal doesn’t reach all the rooms well, your connection may also be experiencing what’s called spotty Wi-Fi, a different but related problem worth reading about.
Too Many Devices Are Sharing the Same Connection
Think about everything connected to your Wi-Fi right now.
All of those devices compete for the same bandwidth. During busy evening hours, too many users on the same connection can cause noticeable slowdowns for streaming, browsing, and calls.
If your household has more than five or six active devices, your current plan may not be giving each one enough room. Check the TCOM internet packages to see if a higher-speed plan would better suit your home.
Background Apps Are Using Your Data Without You Knowing
Your internet can feel slow even when you’re only doing one thing because other apps are running silently in the background.
Software updates, cloud backups, social media syncing, antivirus scans, all of these consume data without you noticing.
According to Microsoft Support, programs running in the background can compete with your browser and cause noticeable delays, and in serious cases like spyware running without your knowledge, your connection can slow to a crawl.
Here’s what you need to do:
- Close apps you’re not using on your phone or laptop
- Schedule large downloads or updates for late at night
- Run a scan to check for malware or unwanted programs
Your Internet Plan Doesn’t Match What You’re Doing
Sometimes the connection isn’t broken. You’re just asking more of it than your plan allows.
Every internet plan has a speed limit. The moment you hit that ceiling, whether because of heavy usage or too many devices, everything slows down.
Here’s a quick guide to what kind of speeds different activities need:
| Activity | Minimum Speed Needed |
| Basic web browsing | 1–3 Mbps |
| Standard video calls (Zoom, Meet) | 3–5 Mbps |
| HD video streaming (YouTube, Netflix) | 5–10 Mbps |
| 4K streaming | 15–25 Mbps |
| Online gaming | 10–30 Mbps |
| Multiple users doing all of the above | 30 Mbps and above |
If your plan’s speed is lower than what your household actually needs, upgrading is the most direct fix. TCOM’s home plans start from just Ksh 1,500 for 5 Mbps and go up to 30 Mbps, making it easy to find a plan that fits your usage. ,
You can also learn more about the types of internet connection available in your area before deciding.
Signal Interference Is Disrupting Your Wi-Fi
Your Wi-Fi signal shares the airwaves with other devices. Microwaves, cordless phones, baby monitors, and even neighboring Wi-Fi networks can all interfere with your signal, especially on the commonly used 2.4 GHz frequency band.
Common household electronics, microwaves in particular, operate on the same frequency range as many routers and can disrupt your connection the moment they turn on.
Switching to a router that supports the 5 GHz band reduces interference significantly, since fewer devices use that frequency.
If your internet cuts in and out rather than staying slow consistently, interference is a strong suspect.
Your ISP’s Network Is Congested at Peak Times
Sometimes the issue isn’t in your house at all. Internet providers can experience congestion on their end during peak hours, typically evenings when many users in an area are online simultaneously.
If your connection is consistently fast in the morning but slow every evening around 7 to 10 PM, this is likely what’s happening. Network-level congestion can push actual speeds well below what your plan promises.
If this is a recurring pattern, contact your ISP and report it. A good ISP will take that seriously and work to address capacity issues in your area.
Is Your Internet Still Slow? It Might Be Time to Switch
If you’ve gone through the list above and your internet is still slow, the issue might simply be that your current provider isn’t delivering what they promised.
Tonycomm Group LTD (TCOM) provides fast, reliable fiber and wireless internet right here in Nakuru.
Whether you need a plan for a small home, a large family, or a growing business, TCOM has options starting from Ksh 1,500 per month, with zero data caps and a 99% uptime guarantee.
TCOM covers Maili Sita, Heshima, Kiti, Bismark, Whitehouse, Mawanga, Tumsifu, Kiratina, Kiamunyeki, Lanet, Makao, and Umoja I to III. Their team connects you in as little as 45 minutes. Installation is Ksh 3,500 (or Ksh 2,000 if you already have a fiber router), and you pay monthly via M-Pesa Paybill 4129711.
Compare residential and business internet options to find the right plan for your situation.
Explore TCOM Packages or contact TCOM on 0110345166 to get connected today.
