How to Reduce Wi-Fi Speed ​​for Other Devices: Legal and Technical Methods

Have you noticed your internet speed has slowed down, even though your data plan hasn't changed? This could be due to other devices on your Wi-Fi network actively consuming data, from streaming 4K video to downloading large files. Limiting the speed for individual devices or users will help restore connection stability and distribute resources fairly. But how can you do this correctly, without breaking the law or crashing your network?

In this article we will look at 7 working methods Reduce Wi-Fi speed for other devices – from standard router features to advanced settings. You'll learn how to set it up Quality of Service (QoS), use guest networks with restrictions, block bandwidth-hungry applications, and even secretly lower the priority for specific MAC addresses. All methods have been tested on popular router models (TP-Link, ASUS, Keenetic, MikroTik) and do not require deep knowledge of network technologies.

Important: Limiting the speed of other people's devices without the consent of their owners may be contrary to legislation on personal data (if we're talking about strangers) or the terms and conditions of your internet provider. All described actions apply only to your personal network, your relatives' devices, or agreed upon with users.

1. Setting up QoS (Quality of Service) – traffic prioritization

QoS (Quality of Service) is a technology that allows for the distribution of network bandwidth between devices or traffic types. It can be used Automatically reduce speed for torrents, online games, or streaming services, prioritizing more important tasks (like video calls or work).

How to enable QoS on most routers:

• 🔧 Go to your router's control panel (usually at 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1).
• 📊 Find the section QoS, Bandwit control or Traffic management (the name depends on the model).
• ⚙️ Enable QoS and select a mode:
  • By MAC address — device-specific limitation.
  • By traffic type - prioritization by applications (for example, reduce speed for uTorrent or Steam).
  • By ports - for advanced users (for example, restricting a port 8080, used for peering).
• 📉 Set speed limits (e.g. 5 Mbps for guest devices).

Example of QoS settings on TP-Link Archer C7:

Advanced → QoS → Enable QoS
Rule List → Add New Rule:
- MAC Address: 00:1A:2B:3C:4D:5E (target device address)
- Max Upload: 2 Mbps
- Max Download: 10 Mbps
- Priority: Low

⚠️ Attention: On some routers (for example, Zyxel Keenetic) QoS only works when enabled Traffic ShapingIf the speed has not changed after saving the settings, check if this option is activated in the section System → Components.

2. Creating a guest network with speed limitation

If you don't want to mess around with QoS, the easiest way is to create guest network with a separate SSID and limited bandwidth. This method is suitable for temporary users (guests, neighbors) or devices that don't require high-speed internet (such as smart light bulbs or IP cameras).

Instructions for ASUS RT-AX88U:

1. Go to Guest network (Guest Network).
2. Enable guest access and specify the network name (eg. MyWiFi_Guest).
3. In the section Bandwidth Limiter set limits:
   • 🔽 Download: 10 Mbps
   • 🔼 Upload: 2 Mbps

Advantages of the method:

• 🔒 Guest users cannot see the main network or devices connected to it.
• 📶 Easily disable access at any time without changing the main settings.
• 🛡️ You can set a separate password or make the network open (but with a speed limit).

3. MAC address restriction: manual control

Each device on the network has a unique MAC address — it can be used for targeted speed limiting. This method is more complex than the previous ones, but provides maximum control. It's suitable for experienced users who are prepared to manually manage each connected device.

How to find the MAC address of the target device:

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

  ipconfig /all | find "Physical Address"

Setting up a limitation using an example Keenetic:

1. Open the router's web interface and go to Devices.
2. Find the target device by name or MAC address.
3. Click on it and select Limit the speed.
4. Set limits (eg. Download: 3 Mbps, Upload: 1 Mbps).
5. Save the settings and reboot the router.

⚠️ Attention: MAC addresses can be spoofed, so this method isn't suitable for protecting against advanced users. If the target device changes its MAC address, the restriction will no longer work.

Find the MAC address of the target device|Check if the router supports this feature|Backup settings|Set speed limits|Reboot the router-->

4. Using parental controls to limit speed

Function parental control Almost all modern routers have this feature. It's designed to limit access time or block content, but some models also allow limit the speed For individual devices. This is convenient if you want to reduce speeds for children or temporary users.

Example setup for D-Link DIR-868L:

• 🔐 Go to Parental control (Parental Controls).
• 👤 Add a new rule and select a device by MAC address or IP.
• ⏰ Set a schedule (eg. Mon-Fri, 6:00 PM–11:00 PM).
• 📉 In the section Bandwidth Control Set speed limits.
• 💾 Save the rule and activate it.

Limitations of the method:

• ❌ Not all routers allow you to limit speed through parental controls (usually, only website blocking is available).
• ❌ The rules are valid only during the specified time.
• ✅ But you can combine it with blocking torrents or social networks.

5. Advanced Methods: Scripts and Third-Party Software

If the standard functions of the router are not enough, you can use advanced tools:

• 🤖 Scripts for MikroTik: On routers MikroTik You can write a script that will dynamically limit the speed for devices with high traffic. Example:

  /queue simple add name="Limit_Device" target=00:1A:2B:3C:4D:5E \
  max-limit=5M/1M

• 🖥️ Third-party software: Programs like NetBalancer (Windows) or Bandwidth Controller allow you to limit the speed for individual IP addresses on a local network.
• 📊 Traffic monitoring: Utilities GlassWire or Wireshark will help identify power-hungry devices before they are restricted.

Warning: Using third-party software requires:

• 🔌 A computer that is constantly running on the network (for NetBalancer).
• 🔐 Access to router settings at the administrator level.
• 📚 Knowledge of network technologies (for MikroTik or Wireshark).

⚠️ Attention: Some providers block changes to network parameters at the router level (for example, Rostelecom or Beeline (in "smart" tariffs). If the Internet disappears after applying the scripts, check whether the mode is enabled TR-069 (remote control of the provider) in the settings.

6. Alternative methods: reducing priority without restrictions

If you don't need to strictly limit the speed, but just lower priority For specific devices, use these methods:

• 📶 Changing the Wi-Fi standard: Switch the target device to an older standard (e.g. 802.11g instead of 802.11ac). To do this, create a separate network in the router settings that supports only 2.4 GHz and legacy protocols. The maximum speed in this case will not exceed 54 Mbps.
• 🔄 Changing the Wi-Fi channel: Set the target device to a channel with high interference (e.g. 13 in the range 2.4 GHz). This will artificially worsen the connection.
• 🔌 Time limit: Turn on the function Time Scheduling (schedule) in the router so that the device connects to the network only at certain hours (for example, from 10:00 PM to 8:00 AM).

An example of changing the Wi-Fi standard to TP-Link:

Wireless → Wireless Settings → Mode: 802.11b/g/n mixed
(uncheck 802.11ac to limit speed)

7. Legal and ethical aspects

Before limiting speed for other devices, please consider:

• 📜 LegislationIn Russia, restricting internet access without the user's consent may be considered a violation Federal Law "On Communications" (Article 46, paragraph 4). The exception is your personal network and the devices of your minor children.
• 🤝 EthicsIf you have neighbors connected to your Wi-Fi, it's best to agree on shared use or set up a separate tariff with limits.
• 📡 ProviderSome internet providers prohibit changing the settings of routers rented from them. Violating these rules can result in a fine or blocking.

What if you rent a place and want to limit the speed for tenants?

• 📝 Enter into an additional agreement regarding Wi-Fi use.
• 💰 Set up a separate router with a guest network and restrictions.
• 📊 Offer to pay for traffic over the limit (if provided for in the contract).

⚠️ Attention: If you limit the speed of devices connected to a corporate network (for example, at work), this may be considered a violation of your employment contract or company security policy. In such cases, please contact your system administrator.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about Wi-Fi speed limiting

Firewall → Filter Rules → DST Address: youtube.com
Action: Limit Bandwidth → 2 Mbps