How to Reduce Wi-Fi Speed: Step-by-Step Instructions for TP-Link, ASUS, Keenetic, and Other Routers

Slowing down your Wi-Fi speed can be useful in a variety of situations, from limiting traffic for guests to testing network stability under low bandwidth conditions. Perhaps you want to artificially reduce the speed for a specific device (for example, to prevent a child from using up all their internet connection while playing an online game), or you need to simulate a "slow internet" to test an app. In any case, it's possible to do this without purchasing additional equipment.

In this article we will look at 7 proven methods Limit Wi-Fi speed: from basic router settings to advanced methods using third-party software. All instructions are adapted for popular router models (TP-Link, ASUS, Keenetic, MikroTik) and run on firmware versions from 2026–2026. If your router is older, some menu items may differ, but the logic remains the same.

⚠️ Attention: Changing network settings may temporarily disable your internet connection. If you are unsure about what you are doing, first back up your router configuration (usually in the System Tools → Backup & Restore).

Why might you need to reduce your Wi-Fi speed?

At first glance, the idea of ​​artificially slowing down internet speeds seems counterintuitive. However, in practice, it's useful in several scenarios:

Firstly, parental controlLimiting the speed of children's devices (for example, to 5-10 Mbps) helps prevent addiction to online games or streaming services without completely blocking access. Secondly, software testing: Developers often test how their apps work on "weak" internet connections. Thirdly, load balancing — If one user clogs up the channel with torrents, others may not have enough speed for video calls.

Another common case is - guest networkWhen providing Wi-Fi access to visitors, many people want to limit their speed so as not to impact the main network. For example, in a cafe or coworking space, you might allocate 20-30% of the total bandwidth to guests, prioritizing work-related tasks.

Method 1: Speed ​​limiting via QoS (Quality of Service)

QoS (Quality of Service) — This is a built-in feature of most modern routers that allows you to distribute bandwidth between devices or traffic types. It can be used to prioritize important tasks (such as video calls) or to artificially reduce the speed for specific devices.

How to set up QoS on a TP-Link router:

1. Open the router control panel by going to the address 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1 (login/password usually admin/admin or indicated on the device sticker).

2. Go to the section Advanced → QoS → Settings.

3. Enable QoS by selecting the mode Limit Rate (Speed ​​Limit).

4. Specify maximum outgoing (Upload) And incoming (Download) speed for the device. For example, to limit it to 10 Mbps, enter:

Download: 10240 kbps
Upload: 5120 kbps

5. Save the settings and reboot the router.

Enable QoS in the Advanced section

Select Limit Rate mode

Specify limits for Download/Upload

Bind a rule to a device's MAC address

Save and reboot the router-->

⚠️ Attention: On some models TP-Link (For example, Archer C6) QoS can only work when enabled Bandwidth ControlIf you don't find the QoS section, check the tab Advanced → Bandwidth Control.

Table: QoS support in popular routers

Method 2: Create a guest network with limited speed

If you need to reduce the speed for temporary users (guests, renters), the easiest way is to set guest network with a separate SSID and restrictions. This method doesn't affect the main network and can be easily disabled if needed.

Instructions for ASUS routers:

1. Go to the control panel (192.168.1.1) and go to Guest network (or Guest Network).

2. Enable the guest network by giving it a unique name (for example, MyWiFi_Guest).

3. In the section Bandwidth Limiter set limits:

• 📥 Download: 5–20 Mbps (depending on your goals)
• 📤 Upload: 1–5 Mbps

4. Save the settings and connect to the guest network to test.

⚠️ Attention: A guest network typically operates on a separate VLAN and doesn't have access to local devices (printers, NAS). If guests need access to shared resources, this method isn't suitable.

Method 3: Manual restriction by MAC address

If you need to slow down for specific device (for example, a child's smartphone or a smart TV), you can bind the restriction to its MAC address. This method works on most routers, but requires knowing the MAC address of the target device.

How to find MAC address:

• 📱 On Android: Settings → About phone → Status → Wi-Fi MAC address
• 🍎 On iPhone: Settings → Wi-Fi → (i) next to the network → MAC address
• 💻 On Windows: run the command in CMD:

  ipconfig /all | find"Physical Address"

Setting up a Keenetic router:

1. Go to Devices → Device List and find the target device.

2. Click on it and select Limit the speed.

3. Specify the limits for download and upload (for example, 8192 Kbps for 8 Mbps).

4. Save the rule and reboot the router.

What should I do if my device's MAC address changes?

Some devices (especially those running iOS 14+) use MAC address randomization To protect your privacy, MAC address binding won't work in this case. Solutions:

1. Disable randomization in your device settings (on iPhone: Settings → Wi-Fi → (i) → Disable "Private Address").

2. Use IP address restriction (but it can change when reconnecting).

3. Configure QoS by traffic type (for example, limit the speed for games or streaming).

Method 4: Using third-party software (NetLimiter, GlassWire)

If your router doesn't support flexible QoS settings, you can limit the speed on your computer or server using specialized software. This method is suitable for Windows, macOS And Linux.

Speed ​​limiting programs:

• 🖥️ NetLimiter (Windows) - Allows you to set limits for individual applications or all traffic.
• 🍎 TripMode (macOS) - Blocks background traffic and limits speed for selected programs.
• 🐧 Wondershaper (Linux) - Utility for limiting bandwidth via terminal:

  sudo wondershaper eth0 1024 1024

  (Where eth0 — network interface, and 1024 — speed in kbps).

⚠️ Attention: Software limiters only work on the device they are installed on. If you need to limit the speed for total traffic (for example, for a smartphone or TV), this method will not work - use the router settings.

Method 5: Bandwidth Control

Some routers (eg. TP-Link or Mercusys) have a separate section Bandwidth Control, where you can flexibly distribute traffic between devices. Unlike QoS, here you specify guaranteed And maximum speed.

Example setup on TP-Link:

1. Go to Advanced → Bandwidth Control → Rules List.

2. Add a new rule by specifying:

• 🔹 IP range (For example, 192.168.0.100–192.168.0.150 for guest devices)
• 📊 Max Download/Upload (e.g. 5120 kbps for 5 Mbps)
• ⏱️ Schedule (speed can only be limited during certain hours)

3. Activate the rule and apply the settings.

Important: If you specify values ​​that are too low (e.g., 128 kbps), some services (YouTube, Zoom) may stop working correctly. The optimal minimum for stable operation is 1–2 Mbps.

Method 6: Change the Wi-Fi standard (802.11b/g/n/ac/ax)

If you need to temporarily reduce your speed for all devices on the network, you can force the router to switch to an outdated Wi-Fi standard. For example, the standard 802.11g limits the maximum speed to 54 Mbps, and 802.11b — up to 11 Mbit/s.

How to change the Wi-Fi standard on an ASUS router:

1. Go to Wireless Network → Professional.

2. In the field Wireless network mode select:

• 🐢 802.11b — up to 11 Mbps (the slowest)
• 🐢 802.11g — up to 54 Mbps
• 🚀 802.11n — up to 600 Mbps (default)
• 🚀 802.11ac/ax — 1 Gbit/s and higher

3. Save the settings and reboot the router.

⚠️ Attention: Forcibly downgrading the Wi-Fi standard reduces connection stability and can lead to connection drops on modern devices. Use this method only for short-term tasks (such as testing).

Method 7: Using a VPN with limited speed

If you need to slow down just for one device (e.g. laptop), you can connect to a VPN server with artificially limited bandwidth. Some VPN providers (e.g. ProtonVPN or Windscribe) allow you to select servers with low speed.

How does this work:

1. Install a VPN client (for example, ProtonVPN or OpenVPN).

2. Connect to a server in a remote country (e.g. Australia or South Africa) - this will automatically reduce the speed due to high ping latency.

3. For precise control, use servers with a limited tariff (for example, a free plan) ProtonVPN limits the speed to 5-10 Mbps).

⚠️ Attention: This method only works for traffic passing through the VPN. Local connections (such as printer access) will remain at their original speed.

Common mistakes and how to avoid them

When setting speed limits, users often encounter typical problems:

1. The restriction does not work: Make sure the QoS or Bandwidth Control rule is bound to the correct one. MAC address or IPOn some routers, you need to manually enable the function. Enable Bandwidth Control.
2. The network has become unstable: If after changing the Wi-Fi standard (method 6) the connection is broken, return the settings to 802.11n/ac/axOutdated standards do not work well with modern devices.
3. The guest network does not limit speed: Check that the limits are set for Download, and for UploadSometimes routers ignore one of the values.
4. After rebooting, the settings were reset: Save the router configuration to a file (section Backup) and restore it if necessary.

1. Reboot the router.

2. Update the firmware (in the section System Tools → Firmware Upgrade).

3. Reset to factory settings and set up again.

4. Check if your router is conflicting with other equipment (such as a Wi-Fi repeater).-->

FAQ: Answers to frequently asked questions

Is it possible to limit the speed only for a specific site (for example, YouTube)?

Yes, but not on all routers. This requires support. DPI (Deep Packet Inspection) or function Parent Control with domain filtering. On routers Keenetic this is done through Traffic Rules → Domain FilteringOn . ASUS — in the section Adaptation QoS → Web & App Filter.

If your router does not support this feature, use third-party DNS services (for example, OpenDNS) or programs like Cold Turkey to block websites.

Why don't some websites open after speed limiting?

If you set the limit too low (for example, 128 kbps), modern websites (especially those with videos, like YouTube or TikTok) may not load. Minimum speed for stable operation:

• 📄 Text sites: 512 kbps
• 🎵 Music (Spotify, Apple Music): 1–2 Mbps
• 🎥 Video (YouTube, Netflix): 3–5 Mbps
• 🎮 Online gaming: 5–10 Mbps

Try increasing the limit or check if your router is blocking traffic through Firewall.

How do I limit the speed on a router from a provider (for example, Rostelecom or MGTS)?

Routers from providers (for example, Sagemcom or Sercomm) often have limited settings. Try:

1. Go to the control panel at the address 192.168.0.1 (logins/passwords are usually on a sticker).
2. Find a section QoS or Traffic rules.
3. If the required options are not available, please contact your provider's support and request that the feature be enabled. "Speed ​​Limit" (sometimes it is activated upon request).
4. As a last resort, buy your own router and connect it in the mode Bridge (bridge).

Is it possible to limit the speed on a phone without a router?

Yes, but only for mobile traffic (3G/4G/5G). To do this:

• 📱 On Android: use apps like NetGuard or GlassWire to limit speed by applications.
• 🍎 On iPhone: iOS doesn't have a built-in speed limit feature, but you can turn it on Low data consumption mode (Settings → Cellular → Data Options → Low Power Mode).

To limit Wi-Fi On a phone without access to the router, there are no options - you need to configure the router.

How do I check if the speed limit is working?

Use speed testing services:

• 🌐 Speedtest.net
• 🌐 Fast.com (from Netflix)
• 📱 Applications Speedtest by Ookla (Android/iOS)

Compare the results before and after applying the restrictions. Please note that speed may fluctuate by ±10% due to network load.