How to Reduce Wi-Fi Speed: Step-by-Step Methods for Limiting Internet Access on a Router

Have you ever encountered a situation where someone at home or visiting you is hogging your internet bandwidth by downloading torrents, playing online games, or streaming 4K video? Or perhaps you need to limit your children's Wi-Fi speed to prevent them from spending hours online? Reducing wireless network speed is a task that can be solved in several ways, and it doesn't always require expensive equipment.

In this article we will look at 7 proven methodsHow to reduce Wi-Fi speed on a router – from basic settings QoS (Quality of Service) to advanced tools like Bandwidth ControlYou'll learn how to limit bandwidth for individual devices, create a "child" profile with limits, or even artificially slow down the network for all connected devices. All instructions are adapted for popular router models: TP-Link, ASUS, Keenetic, MikroTik and others.

Important: Some methods require router administrator rights. If you rent equipment from a provider (e.g., Rostelecom or Beeline), access to advanced settings may be blocked. In this case, please contact support or request an unblocking request.

1. Speed ​​limiting via QoS (Quality of Service)

QoS (Quality of Service) — is a technology that allows for the prioritization of network traffic. It can not only speed up important connections (for example, video calls), but also artificially reduce speed for certain devices or types of traffic.

How does it work? The router analyzes data packets and assigns them priorities. For example, you can set a rule: “All devices with the MAC address XX:XX:XX:XX:XX:XX receive no more than 5 Mbps." Or: "Torrents are limited to 2 Mbps."

Instructions for TP-Link:

1. Open your router's control panel (usually 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1).
2. Go to Advanced Settings → QoS → QoS Settings.
3. Enable QoS and select the type IP QoS or MAC QoS (depending on the model).
4. Add a rule: specify the MAC address of the device (you can find it in DHCP → Client List) and set the speed limit (for example, 5120 kbps for 5 Mbps).
5. Save the settings and reboot the router.

For ASUS the path will be different: Administration → QoS → Bandwidth LimiterHere you can create a profile for your device and set download/upload limits.

⚠️ Attention: On some routers (for example, older models D-LinkQoS may conflict with IPv6. If you lose internet connection after enabling QoS, disable IPv6 in your WAN settings.

2. Bandwidth Control – hard bandwidth limitation

If QoS seems too soft, use Bandwidth Control (Bandwidth Control). This tool allows you to strictly limit the maximum speed for any device on the network, regardless of traffic type.

Advantage of this method: it works even if the device is connected via a cable (LAN) rather than Wi-Fi. Disadvantage: it requires precise IP or MAC addresses, which is not always convenient in dynamic networks (where IP addresses change).

Example for Keenetic:

1. Go to the web interface (192.168.1.1).
2. Let's move on to Internet → Traffic Rules.
3. Create a new rule: select Speed ​​Limit, we indicate the IP or MAC of the device.
4. We set limits:
   • 📥 Incoming speed (Download): For example, 2048 kbps (2 Mbps).
   • 📤 Upload speed: For example, 1024 kbps (1 Mbit/s).

We apply the rule and check the speed on the target device (for example, via Speedtest).

On routers MikroTik (with firmware) RouterOS) a tool is used for this Queue TreeTerminal commands:

/queue simple add name="Limit_Device" target=192.168.88.100/32 max-limit=2M/1M

Where 192.168.88.100 — IP devices, 2M — download limit, 1M - for return.

What to do if the device IP changes?

If DHCP (automatic IP assignment) is enabled on your network, assign a static IP to the device's MAC address. To do this, find the "Configure" section in your router settings. DHCP → Address Reservation and bind the MAC to a fixed IP.

3. Creating a guest network with limited speed

One of the most convenient ways is to create separate guest network with its own limitations. This will allow:

• 🔒 Isolate guests from the main network (they won't see your shared folders or smart devices).
• ⚡ Set a hard speed limit for everyone connected to the guest network.
• 🕒 Set up a work schedule (for example, disable access at night).

Instructions for ASUS RT-AX88U:

1. Open Wireless Network → Guest Network.
2. Enable the guest network and give it a name (for example, Guest_WiFi_Limited).
3. In the section Bandwidth limitation set limits:
   • 📥 Download: 5 Mbps
   • 📤 Upload: 2 Mbps

Set up a schedule (optional) and save.

On routers TP-Link Archer The guest network is configured in Basic Settings → Guest NetworkHere you can limit not only the speed, but also the number of connected devices (for example, no more than 3 devices at a time).

⚠️ Note: A guest network typically operates on a separate SSID (network name) and may have a smaller coverage area than your main network. If the signal is weak, check your transmit power settings. Wireless Mode → Advanced Settings.

4. Using parental controls to limit speed

If your goal is to control your children's online time, you don't necessarily need to limit the speed 24/7. Simply enable parental control and configure:

• 🕒 Access schedule (for example, the Internet only works from 16:00 to 20:00).
• ⚡ Speed ​​Limit during permitted hours (for example, 1 Mbit/s).
• 🚫 Blocking websites (social networks, games) by category.

Example for Keenetic:

1. Go to Home Network → Parental Controls.
2. Create a profile for the device (specify the MAC address).
3. Set up schedules and speed limits:

   Parameter	Meaning
   Access time	16:00–20:00 (Mon–Fri)
   Max download speed	1024 kbps
   Max upload speed	512 kbps
   Blocking websites	Social networks, games

4. Apply settings.

On routers Zyxel Keenetic parental control is integrated with the system Yandex.DNS, which allows you to block content by category (18+, gambling, etc.).

5. Setting up restrictions at the provider level

Some internet service providers (eg. MTS, Beeline, Dom.ru) offer a service Managed Wi-Fi or Personal account with router settingsThrough it you can:

• 📊 Set traffic limits for individual devices.
• ⏳ Limit internet usage hours (for example, from 11:00 PM to 7:00 AM, the speed is reduced to 1 Mbps).
• 🔄 Set traffic priorities (for example, give maximum speed to Smart TV).

How to do it:

1. Log in provider's personal account.
2. Find the section Wi-Fi Management or My devices.
3. Select a device from the list and set limits.

⚠️ Please note: This service is a paid service for most providers (ranging from 50 to 200 rubles per month). Before connecting, check the rates in the "Additional Services" section.

Advantage of this method: no manual router configuration required. Disadvantage: only works if the router is rented from a provider (e.g. Sagemcom or Sercomm).

6. Artificially reducing speed by changing the Wi-Fi standard

If your router supports modern standards Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) or Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac), you can force switch to an outdated standard (For example, 802.11n or even 802.11g) to reduce the maximum speed for all devices.

How does this work:

• 📶 802.11g — maximum 54 Mbps (actually ~20 Mbit/s).
• 📶 802.11n — to 300 Mbps (actually ~100 Mbit/s).
• 📶 802.11ac — to 1 Gbps and above.

Instructions for TP-Link Archer C6:

1. Let's go in Wireless → Wireless Settings.
2. In the field Network standard we choose 802.11g (instead of 802.11n/ac/ax).
3. Setting the channel width 20 MHz (instead of 40 MHz or 80 MHz).
4. Save and reboot the router.

This method will reduce the speed for all devices, connected to Wi-Fi, including your own. Use it only if you need to temporarily restrict the network (for example, during exams or when visiting).

7. Advanced Methods: Scripts and Third-Party Software

If the default router settings don't allow you to flexibly manage your speed, you can use:

• 🖥️ Scripts for MikroTik (for example, time of day restrictions).
• 📱 Android/iOS apps (For example, NetCut to block devices).
• 🌐 Cloud management services (For example, OpenDNS to filter traffic).

Example script for MikroTik, which limits speed from 10:00 pm to 7:00 am:

/system scheduler add name="NightLimit" start-time=22:00:00 end-time=07:00:00 on-event="LimitNight"

/queue simple add name="NightLimit" target=192.168.88.0/24 max-limit=1M/512k disabled=yes

/system script add name=LimitNight source={:if ([/queue simple get NightLimit disabled]=true) do={/queue simple enable NightLimit} else={/queue simple disable NightLimit}}

For use NetCut on Android:

1. Install the app from Google Play.
2. Connect to the same Wi-Fi network as the target device.
3. Select the device from the list and click Cut Off (complete blocking) or Limit (Speed ​​Limit).

⚠️ Warning: Apps like NetCut only work on a local network and may conflict with antivirus software. Do not use them to block other people's devices without their consent, as this violates personal data laws.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about Wi-Fi speed limiting

Is it possible to limit the speed for just one device without affecting others?

Yes, use it for this Bandwidth Control or QoS bound to the device's MAC address. On routers ASUS And TP-Link This is done in the appropriate sections of the control panel. The main thing is to ensure that the target device has a static IP or a reserved DHCP address.

Why didn't the speed change after setting up QoS?

Possible reasons:

• QoS is not enabled at the WAN level (check settings) Internet → QoS).
• The rule was applied to an incorrect MAC/IP address.
• The router does not support hardware acceleration of QoS (disable it) Hardware NAT in the settings).

Try rebooting your router and the target device.

How can I find out a device's MAC address to limit its speed?

Methods:

• On the router: DHCP → Client List (or Wireless Mode → Clients).
• On Windows: Run the command ipconfig /all V CMD and find the line Physical address.
• On Android: Settings → About phone → General information → Wi-Fi MAC address.

Is it possible to limit the speed for a specific website or application?

Yes, but you need a router with support for this. Deep Packet Inspection (DPI) or third-party software like pfSenseMost home routers allow you to block websites using keywords (for example, vk.com), but fine-tuning the speed for a specific resource will only be possible on advanced models (for example, ASUS RT-AX86U With AiProtection).

Will speed limiting work if I connect via VPN?

No, if the VPN encrypts traffic (for example, OpenVPN or WireGuard), the router will not be able to apply traffic type restrictions (QoS). However, Bandwidth Control via MAC/IP will work, since it limits the speed at the connection level, not the content level.