eero splits slow speeds into two articles. If every device is slow, the fault is in the chain between the provider and the primary eero, not in a device. Test two devices on the primary eero, then run the eero app speed test, which measures the primary eero to the internet, and compare it with your plan. If low, plug a computer straight into the modem and test at fast.com or speedtest.net;
The checks in more detail
normal speeds there mean the problem sits between modem and gateway, so power cycle the modem, and low speeds there mean the cable or the ISP, so swap the Ethernet cable and then unplug the modem for 2 to 3 minutes. If the modem is fine, connect a device to the primary eero by Ethernet: normal speeds mean placement, and low speeds mean restart the primary eero for 30 seconds, swap the cable, or swap another eero into the primary position.
Denser materials weaken the signal: concrete, brick, stone and metal appliances have a high impact, tile, plaster and large furniture medium, drywall, wood and glass low. Before testing, turn off SQM (Settings, Network settings, SQM), which manages traffic and can cap test results; turn it back on afterwards. For one slow device, confirm it uses the nearest eero, and remember a Cat5 cable limits wired speeds to 100 Mbps while Cat5e handles 1 Gbps. eero also explains why the app's speed test can read differently from a speed test run on a phone or laptop: the app measures from the primary eero to the internet, while a device test includes the wifi hop, distance and the device's own wifi standard.
Compare like with like, and always test more than once at different times of day before concluding the connection changed.
Differential
Likely causes of “eero mesh wifi internet or Wi-Fi is slow”, and how to tell them apart
- 1
An ISP or modem fault
What separates it Speeds are slow even when a computer is connected straight to the modem
How to confirm Power cycle the modem for 2 to 3 minutes, then call the provider
- 2
A weak Ethernet cable
What separates it Speeds are slow over Ethernet because the cable is a weak one
How to confirm Swap the cable for a better one, since a Cat5 cable caps the speed at 100 Mbps
- 3
SQM limiting tests
What separates it The speed tests read low because Smart Queue Management is limiting them
How to confirm Turn SQM off while you are testing, and then turn it on again afterwards
- 4
Distance and materials
What separates it The speed is fast next to the eero but slow in the room where you use it
How to confirm Move the eero into open space, with fewer walls between it and the room
- 5
An older device
What separates it One device is slow while the others are fast because it has an older wifi standard
How to confirm Check which wifi standard the device supports, since older ones are slower
Before you touch a setting
Record this first — changing settings destroys the evidence
- The plan speed and the app speed test
- The speed that you measure with a computer connected straight to the modem
- Whether wired or wireless devices are slow
- Which eero the slow device is on
Try in this order
0 of 7 completedConfirm the scope
ReversibleConfirm the scope by testing two devices, to see whether all of them are slow or only one.
Run the app speed test
ReversibleRun the speed test in the eero app, and compare the result with the speed of your plan.
Test at the modem
ReversibleTest at the modem by plugging a computer straight in, to find out whether the line itself is slow.
Power cycle the modem
ReversiblePower cycle the modem for two to three minutes, then wait for it to come back before you test.
Test the primary eero by Ethernet
ReversibleTest the primary eero by Ethernet, and restart it for thirty seconds if the speed is still slow.
Turn off SQM
ReversibleTurn off SQM in Settings, then Network settings, while you test, and then turn it on again.
Fix placement
ReversibleFix the placement by moving the eero into open space, with fewer walls between it and the room.
Model-specific
What is true of this model and not of its siblings
- Speeds by model
- Bands and wired ports differ by model: the Max 7 has 10 Gbps class ports, while an eero 6 tops out at gigabit.
- Beacon
- The Beacon has no Ethernet ports, so its speed is set by its wireless link.
- Other models this page answers
- These steps also fit the eero Pro 6E, eero Pro 6.
Stop boundary
When this stops being a self-service repair
- !If the modem tests slow on a computer after a power cycle, call the provider
- !If Ethernet to the primary eero is slow after a cable swap, contact eero support
- !If one eero is the weak link, swap it to test the hardware
Evidence ledger
Sources behind this answer
Isolating the ISP, the modem and the gateway.
SQM, wired and wireless single-device checks.
App and device speed tests.
Spacing, interference and placement.
The company and its products.
Exact questions
Common questions
How do I know it is the ISP?+
Slow speeds direct from the modem on a computer.
Why is my device test different?+
The result on a device differs because wifi adds distance and interference to the path.
What is SQM?+
Smart Queue Management, which can limit speed test results.
Do Cat5 cables limit speed?+
Yes, a Cat5 cable limits the speed to 100 Mbps, so use a better cable.
Which materials hurt most?+
Concrete, brick, stone and metal appliances.
How long should the modem be off?+
Leave the modem off for two to three minutes, and then turn it back on.
Should I restart the eero?+
Unplug the primary eero 30 seconds.
Can another eero swap in?+
Yes, swap another eero in, to rule out a hardware fault in the first unit.
Does the eero use my ISP's DNS?+
Yes by default; custom DNS can be set in the app.
What is UPnP?+
It lets devices such as consoles open connections automatically; it is on by default.
What is eero Plus?+
eero Plus is a subscription that adds security, content filters and a Guardian VPN to the eero network.
Do I need a part number to get help from eero?+
No, give eero your model name, since that is enough to identify the eero that you have.