TP-Link Deco slow speed is something that many users have to deal with one way or another!
The TP-Link Deco’s Wi-Fi speed depends on factors involving the actual broadband speed, the wireless limitations (congestion/interference), and your connection device.
Hence, there is a lot to inspect, and in this read, we’ll find the reasons why the Deco’s speed is slow and how to fix it.
When your TP-Link Deco’s Wi-Fi speed is slow, you must test the broadband speed and compare it to your Deco. If there’s a significant difference, you must relocate the Deco and resolve any wireless interference.
To unwrap how all of this is done, continue reading ahead!
Why is My TP-Link Deco Speed Slow?
One of the essential things to know before you begin is the slow speed that you’re observing may not be caused by your TP-Link Deco.
The device you’re using to connect to your Deco is vital in how fast the internet would be based on the supported frequency and range.
Many other factors can influence the Wi-Fi speed that your Deco emits, including wireless interference, service bandwidth, and Wi-Fi channels.
So, here are ALL things combined that can impact the TP-Link Deco speed:
Knowing this, let’s jump into the troubleshooting!
How to Fix the TP-Link Deco Slow Speed Instantly?
Tip: Try all the solutions below!
1. Verify the Broadband Speed
The very first and fundamental step is to check the actual speed of your broadband so you can have a base for comparison with your Deco’s internet speed.
The broadband connection is the actual internet speed that your router/modem receives from the internet supplier in pure form.
This internet connection is spread onto your Deco units, and only then does this data reach your connection devices, such as a smartphone or computer.
However, to justify the pure internet speed from your supplier, you must use an Ethernet-connected device to your TP-Link router.
Here’s exactly what to do to measure your broadband speed:
- Connect a PC to your router for a wired connection.
- Open a web browser and go to www.speedtest.net.
- Click on the big “GO” button in the middle of the page.
- Note down the Download and Upload speeds in Mbps.
How to Test Your Deco’s Speed?
When you have the internet speed data from your Ethernet-connected computer, it’s time to test and compare the speed of your TP-Link Deco.
To do so, you must use a Wi-Fi-enabled device to connect to the Wi-Fi of your Deco, and again, go to www.speedtest.net to note the results.
You can also test the pure internet speed that your Deco receives from the TP-Link app in the “Network” tab under “Test Internet Speed.”
However, remember that this is the internet speed your Deco receives from the route, and the Wi-Fi connected device may not be able to reach it.
Reminder: You will always receive slightly better internet speeds on your Ethernet-connected devices than on your Wi-Fi-connected devices.
2. Relocate Your TP-Link Deco
The next step by importance is to inspect the location of your TP-Link Deco and do everything possible to avoid any obstructions that may impact the wireless signal.
It’s essential to dislocate your TP-Link Deco away from interfering devices and use a wide-open and centralized spot.
It’s crucial not to put your Deco in enclosed compartments, wardrobes, on a shelf with a lot of stuff, and in places that cover the wireless device.
We recommend placing your Deco as high as possible in the room and even relocating the unit based on where your connection devices typically are.
This will boost the Wi-Fi speed of your Deco according to the environment you typically stay in when using the TP-Link Deco’s Wi-Fi.
Tip: If possible, connect your Deco directly to an outlet, but feel free to give up on the direct connection if a power extender will provide your Deco with a better location.
The Solution to Wireless Interference:
To prevent your Deco’s Wi-Fi from being slowed down, check the following tips:
- Avoid placing your Deco near large appliances.
- Do not place Deco near “RF” or “IR” transmitters.
- Free up bandwidth by unpairing unused devices.
- Set a strong Wi-Fi password against intruders.
Note: Try to connect while you stand next to your Deco and test your internet speed to see whether there is an improvement.
3. Use a 5 GHz-Enabled Device
The TP-Link Deco supports 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz Wi-Fi frequencies but uses only one Wi-Fi SSID to provide you with the best connection possible.
This means that devices that support only the 2.4 GHz network thread can connect just like devices that support both frequencies.
The thing is that devices that only support 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi will never reach the actual internet speed of your broadband because this frequency is limited.
This is why it’s essential to use a device that can connect to the 5 GHz thread of your Deco to reach the best speeds possible.
Under perfect conditions, both frequencies can be compared:
- 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi will reach up to 450 Mbps to 600 Mbps.
- 5 GHz Wi-Fi will reach up to 1300 Mbps.
However, there are other factors involved, such as Wi-Fi strength.
The 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi is slower, but you can connect to your Deco from afar.
In contrast, the 5 GHz reaches a higher speed, but you must stay close to your Deco, or the speed will be slower than the 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi frequency.
Note: On a 5 GHz-enabled device, your TP-Link Deco will automatically switch from one Wi-Fi thread to the other, based on the conditions, to provide the best speed possible.
4. Soft Reset the TP-Link Router
Perhaps TP-Link Deco not getting full speed because of your TP-Link router.
Your Deco will transmit the Wi-Fi with the maximum speed possible, based on how fast the internet is when coming from the router.
This means that when your router struggles to keep up and the internet is slow, your Deco’s Wi-Fi will reflect those delays.
So, there is a simple solution to eliminate any minor problems with the TP-Link router, and that would be to soft reset the machine.
Note: This will not erase anything from your TP-Link router or Deco!
Here’s how to soft reset the TP-Link router in easy steps:
- Press the Power button to turn off the router.
- Then, unplug the power cord from the router.
- Disconnect the A/C adapter from the outlet.
- Wait for 60 seconds for a complete discharge.
- Connect the power cord and turn on the router.
When you turn on the router, you will have to wait for approximately 3 minutes until the device connects to the service and your Deco becomes online.
When the Deco’s Wi-Fi appears, you may test whether there is any improvement in the internet speed.
Reminder: Stay as close as possible to your Deco while testing the internet speed.
5. Prevent Network Congestion
The internet speed of your Deco’s Wi-Fi may be slow due to network congestion, typically caused by too many connected devices.
Well, network congestion may also appear even if only a few devices are connected due to downloading, streaming, or uploading content.
Here are a bunch of tips to relieve TP-Link Deco’s network congestion:
- Unpair unused devices from the Deco’s Wi-Fi.
- Stop downloading, uploading, or streaming.
- Forget and connect to the Wi-Fi on the device.
When the TP-Link Deco’s Wi-Fi network is congested, the speed will dramatically decrease on all your connected devices.
This is why it’s recommended to disconnect as many devices as possible from your network to relieve some bandwidth and optimize the speed of the Wi-Fi.
Tip: Test your Deco’s Wi-Fi speed when only one device is connected to the Wi-Fi.
6. Factory Reset the TP-Link Deco
As a last resort, if nothing helps, you must factory reset your Deco and set up the device in the TP-Link app from scratch.
Here’s how to factory reset TP-Link Deco in easy steps:
- Open the TP-Link Deco app on your mobile.
- Go to the Dashboard and select your Deco.
- Then, press the button in the top-right corner.
- Finally, press “Remove” to reset your Deco.
Alternatively, you can reset your TP-Link Deco by using the Reset button on the bottom!
Warning: The factory reset will erase all settings and configurations!
Quick Recap:
Hence, to boost the TP-Link Deco’s slow speed, relocate the Deco to a more open location and only measure the internet speed on 5 GHz-enabled devices.
If the Deco’s Wi-Fi speed is slow, you must resolve any wireless interference and prevent any network congestion.
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Kevin has over five years of experience working in various Tech startups and providing Technical solutions. He has contributed to many Tech publications and websites. Check out more about him here.