How to Fix Download and Upload Speed
How to Fix Your Wearisome Internet
Proficient tips to banish slow internet speeds
Jan 23, 2022 Share
FAQ, Internet Speed Guides
Yous tin generally fix a tiresome internet connectedness if the issue is on your end. A uncomplicated restart of your modem and your router (or all-in-one wireless gateway) tin sometimes speed upwardly your connection. But your slow speeds may also be the result of bug on your provider's stop—problems you just tin can't fix.
By and large, your modem or router (or both) will create a speed clogging if not working properly—the same goes with wireless gateways. If your equipment is too onetime, information technology may non support of import internet protocols. Equipment damage, such as bad ports or components, can also cause slowdowns.
There are a few ways to make certain each step of your network is performing at optimal speed. We'll help you identify and gear up your network's weakest link starting with the basics—we'll get more in-depth equally we go deeper into our guide.
Desire faster internet speeds straight from the source? Enter your zip code below to see if a faster plan is bachelor in your area.
Why is your internet and then wearisome?
There are many reasons why your internet is ho-hum. Possibly your net provider is having issues, your habitation network needs a reboot, or you lot're just likewise far abroad from the router—the possibilities can be a bit overwhelming. We'll list the nearly common problems and how you tin prepare them to go more speed.
- Your internet programme is likewise slow
- You lot need amend network management
- Your provider'south network is congested
- You exceeded your data cap
- You have weak Wi-Fi signals
- You lot have loftier latency
- You have slow or outdated devices
- Your provider is throttling your connection
Trouble: Your net plan is too boring
If your internet slows downwardly just when too many other people are online simultaneously, you're probably using more data than your plan allows. Utilise our net speed exam to see if you lot're getting the speed advertised by your Internet access provider. If your results are close to your plan speed, consider upgrading.
Your internet bundle gives you a specific corporeality of bandwidth, and if in that location's more than information trying to move effectually than in that location is bandwidth, you run into a traffic jam.
Call back of your internet connectedness like a road direct to your business firm. I car'southward worth of people (or internet data) can reach your business firm at a time. If there are three cars trying to become in that location, they have to line up to get to your house. And if more cars arrive every bit the others are waiting to attain your house, the line and the delays get longer.
The easiest way to get more than bandwidth is by upgrading to a faster internet plan that tin can keep up with your household. We're online now more than than ever, and the internet program you signed up for a few years agone might not exist sufficient today if your connexion slows downwards every time multiple people utilize the net.
We recommend checking out one of the fastest internet providers in the Usa.
Problem: You lot need meliorate network management
If upgrading isn't an option, you lot demand to either deal with the dull speeds or manage your household's internet use. Thankfully, there are severa l easy ways of doing the latter that doesn't include yelling at everyone to become off the internet so y'all can attend a Zoom meeting.
Here are a few tips on how to manage your home network traffic:
Use QoS settings
Many routers have a quality of service (or QoS) component that allows y'all to control how your network prioritizes certain types of information. That style, you can make sure your streaming information always gets first access to available bandwidth for smooth playback.
Not all routers accept adaptable QoS, but if your router does, you'll find the controls in your router's web interface.
Pro tip: How to log in to a router
Many of our tips and troubleshooting guides tell you to log in to your router's web interface . It'south really easy if you don't know how—just follow our instructions.
Prune your internet connections
There may be some devices connected to your network that you rarely use—if at all. For example: you bought a new laptop, simply the old one all the same idles and connects to the network. Even though it'south not in use, it notwithstanding uses bandwidth for updates and other background services. Your router may even have a limited number of devices it can connect to simultaneously, and if you have too many connected devices the router may outset boot some of them off the network.
Ane simple fashion to accept stock of all the devices using your network is to load your router'south web interface and view the network map. Yous will see all continued devices, whether they're active or not, so you can cake the ones you never use.
Some other method is to modify the Wi-Fi countersign, but that only applies to wireless devices . Once yous do , yous must manually reconnect every device that accesses your wireless network .
Some routers or wireless gateways also have a handy companion app that lets y'all come across everything on your network without loading a browser . That mode you can identify and remove devices that no longer need admission to your network .
Stagger bandwidth-hogging activities
If your connection tin can't handle everyone online at one time, stagger your internet activities so everyone gets a run a risk at an uninterrupted connectedness.
As well, make sure to schedule big downloads (similar computer and game updates) during times when other people won't exist online.
Put visitors on a guest network
There's nothing wrong with sharing your internet with guests when they come to visit , only yous don't want them to secretly download illegal content while they lounge on your burrow . That's where your router'due south invitee network feature comes into play .
You tin create a second invitee network using your router's web interface or mobile app. A guest network allows you to limit how much bandwidth guests can apply, and what services and websites they tin admission . Information technology as well prevents guest devices from mingling with your devices, then there's no worry about guests spreading malware to everything y'all employ.
Problem: Your provider's network is congested
Cablevision internet subscribers may suffer slowdowns during peak times when they and everyone else in the neighborhood are active online at the aforementioned time. It's a similar situation to traffic on your home network just on a larger calibration. In this example, you and all your neighbors compete for the same bandwidth.
If the congestion gets particularly bad, your cyberspace provider may throttle cyberspace speeds in your surface area to reduce traffic for the network.
Unfortunately, you can't control when or how often people in the same area apply the net —we certainly don't advise asking your neighbors to log off so you lot can Zoom in peace. Simply there are a few tricks to circumventing the issue.
Try to schedule game and media downloads during off-superlative hours, like in the middle of the night. You could too switch to another provider that doesn't have every bit many subscribers around you, though that could be hard to decide .
The only type of net that isn't much affected by an surface area's network congestion is fiber internet . Fiber infrastructure is capable of carrying much more data than other internet types, so having a ton of traffic at the same time doesn't slow down individual customers.
Trouble: Y'all exceeded your information cap
Many internet providers accept data caps, and some slow your speeds to a crawl after you hit that cap. You can usually check to encounter how much data yous've used on your online account or through your Internet service provider'south app. Providers like Xfinity give customers very high information caps—1.2 TB for this example—and shouldn't crusade too many issues for most households. But satellite cyberspace providers including and are less generous with their data allowances.
Satellite cyberspace providers accuse for internet utilize by information rather than by internet speed. It's similar to how prison cell phone plans normally work: in one case you lot use upwardly your information allowance for the month , your internet connection can slow to a crawl.
HughesNet customers can see speeds drib to 1–3 Mbps. Viasat customers can expect all their internet traffic to be deprioritized, meaning that their data gets pushed to the back of the line of all Viasat customers' data.
Many DSL, cable, and fiber internet companies are discontinuing data limits , but there are many others that continue to proceed them in identify . Look to see if your internet service has a information cap in our guide to ISP data caps .
Problem: You accept weak Wi-Fi signals
Walls, distance, and even microwaves tin can interfere with your Wi-Fi betoken. Weaker Wi-Fi signals mean slower speeds and frequent disconnects .
Yous tin tell if indicate interference and weak Wi-Fi signals are your issues if your connection works well near your router but is extremely deadening in the next room .
To prepare weak Wi-Fi, offset, check your router'southward placement. Y ou want to make sure your router is in a primal and elevated location and away from things that tin can affect your Wi-Fi signals (like walls, Bluetooth speakers, etc.).
If that doesn't piece of work, you might need to replace your router with 1 designed for longer ranges or better coverage—or you can add an extender to your network to stretch Wi-Fi signals into a previously unreachable area .
Check out our guide to long-range routers if you demand better Wi-Fi coverage. It goes over both mesh Wi-Fi systems and standalone routers to help y'all figure out how best to access the internet in every inch of your home.
Problem: You have high latency
Latency is the fourth dimension information takes to make a round trip from your device to the destination and back. A loftier latency creates noticeable lag: an extended duration betwixt your physical actions and the results displayed on your screen. This can exist peculiarly frustrating with online gaming or video calls.
High latency is difficult to work effectually. It depends partially on your physical distance from internet servers, network congestion betwixt you and the servers , and your internet provider'due south infrastructure. Internet blazon can also play into latency besides.
For example, satellite internet has high latency considering all your data must travel to space and back, both coming and going to your device. Newer types of internet, including fiber and 5G mmWave , take lower latency because they can handle faster signals.
If you're looking to lower your latency for a ameliorate connection, bank check out our report on the fastest ISPs . It dives into which internet services have the best tested speeds and lowest average latency.
Problem: You lot accept boring or outdated devices
The trouble might not be with your internet connectedness—it might exist with the device you apply . Your calculator, tablet, phone, or gaming panel could be outdated and not capable of processing today's Wi-Fi speeds.
For example, the old (but much loved) PlayStation Vita handheld panel supports up to 150 Mbps per second considering it uses a Wi-Fi 4 radio. That speed can decrease based on the router information technology connects to and the security protocol it uses. The Vita volition never see speeds beyond that 150 Mbps limit.
If you take speed issues on a desktop or laptop, attempt power cycling the device. This clears the retentivity of any junk, refreshes your connection, and cleans out unnecessary processes and temporary files. Speed issues tend to happen due to an overworked processor, and a quick power cycle—shutting it down completely for xxx seconds—volition "articulate its head."
Other things that can slow downwardly your devices include the following:
- Likewise many open up applications
- Too many open browser tabs
- Outdated software
- Outdated drivers
- The operating organisation needs to reboot to install updates
- Patch downloads
- App downloads
- Malware
Avert overwhelming your figurer's CPU past closing unused applications and browser windows. Go on your device's operating arrangement up to engagement by allowing auto-updates, and go on your antivirus definitions current.
Trouble: Your provider is throttling your connexion
Net providers can throttle your speeds, causing a slow connection . We'll go over throttling briefly here, but you can get a more in-depth wait at the subject in our guide to network throttling .
We've already discussed a few circumstances where a provider might throttle your speeds—like if you go over your information cap or if there'southward too much congestion in the network. Simply your provider might also wearisome you down if it flags your internet activity as potentially illegal or if it mostly doesn't want you to do a specific type of activity (like torrenting).
To see if your provider is throttling your internet, run a speed test commonly and then run it once again using a VPN. If your speeds ameliorate with the VPN, congratulations! You're throttled.
Other factors that impact your speed
Your cyberspace programme's maximum speed
Internet speeds are measured in megabits per second (Mbps) . This refers to your connexion's total bandwidth, not the actual fourth dimension data uses to brand a round trip to a website and dorsum—that's called latency.
Providers commonly advertise their internet speeds every bit "upward to" a sure number of megabits per second, and there'south usually some fine print that says those speeds are not guaranteed. Internet providers are generally in the clear legally if your internet doesn't actually perform upward to the highest advertised bandwidth.
Realistically, y'all may pay for 400 Mbps per calendar month, merely you probable won't see that maximum due to hardware issues between your internet provider'south operator—a device that communicates with multiple modems—and your physical internet connection. Utility pole connections, your buried cable, and and then on all play a major cistron in how your connection performs. There's nada you can do to go the maximum bandwidth you pay for each month other than hope for the highest speeds possible.
If you demand a refresher on internet speeds and what they mean, check out our guide to net speeds .
Your upload and download speeds
You upload and download data every twenty-four hour period, whether yous're on a smartphone or a laptop. For instance, when yous access a website, you upload a request to that website and and so download temporary files from the site to view information technology in your browser.
If you lot don't have issues with streaming on Netflix or downloading files simply are all the same experiencing some symptoms of deadening net speeds, your outcome might actually exist with your upload speed.
Cablevision, DSL, and satellite providers give customers way less upload bandwidth than download bandwidth considering most people request much more than data from the internet than they send. Upload speed is typically an issue for heavy uploaders—like Twitch streamers , people who work with video or audio , or those who often have to share large files.
The best style to improve upload speeds is to switch to a fiber plan. Cobweb-optic internet connections often give customers upload speeds equal to their download speeds. If y'all don't know what kind of speeds you lot really need , check out our recommendations for upload and download speeds .
Your internet connectedness blazon
At that place are a few unlike technologies net providers use to deliver your connexion, like cablevision, fiber, satellite, or DSL. Your internet connexion blazon p lays a huge factor in your overall speeds.
Satellite internet transfers cyberspace signals from a base station to a satellite to a receiver at your abode. Considering all your information must travel such a long distance both ways, satellite internet tin can have very high latency compared to other types of cyberspace, which slows things down.
DSL internet uses phone lines to carry data. Considering the infrastructure is ordinarily a little older, information technology can't handle the same amount of bandwidth as a newer connection like fiber. DSL internet tops out at merely over 100 Mbps, and its electrical signals tend to degrade in quality over long distances.
Cable internet can be faster than DSL because it uses the same coaxial cables that carry cablevision Television set. Speeds tin reach up to 1,000 Mbps, but cablevision is susceptible to network congestion during high-traffic times due to the infrastructure'south overall "shared" design.
Cobweb-optic internet is one of the newest types of internet, and it's the best wired connexion you can get. Cobweb uses LED or light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation pulses to send your internet information, then it has lower latency than other cyberspace types as a whole. It can besides carry much more bandwidth than cablevision or DSL, offering speeds up to 2,000 Mbps. It's less decumbent to network congestion and tin offer equally loftier download and upload speeds.
Overall, DSL and cablevision are the most mutual net types while fiber is newer just scarce. Satellite is best for rural areas where the other three types can't reach.
How to troubleshoot a slow connection
First, know your programme speed
You lot need to know how much speed y'all pay for each month and compare that number confronting the speed yous're actually getting at present . Wait on your newspaper bill or log in to your online business relationship to see your plan's advertised maximum speed.
Side by side, run a speed test and compare
Running a serial of speed tests while connected to unlike points in your network tin help you lot figure out where your speeds are slowing down. Nosotros'll interruption the testing process downwardly into two sections.
Part ane: Test the modem
Your showtime speed examination is to see if you lot're getting the correct speeds to your home compared with what you're supposed to get from your internet provider . To go the most accurate results for your initial speed test, unplug your router from the modem and connect a computer to the same port on the modem using an Ethernet cable. If y'all take a wireless gateway, merely plug information technology into one of the Ethernet ports.
Warning: Nosotros don't recommend browsing the net for extended periods of time without using a router. Your router has some first-class built-in security features that protect your network from viruses and malware.
This first test should give you results that are close to the speeds promoted with your plan. If non, attempt to rails this result over multiple days and times of day to institute a pattern. Contact your internet provider to talk well-nigh why you're non getting the right speeds if you continue to run into lower than expected results .
Run the Speed Test
Function 2: Examination the router
If your modem isn't the issue, the side by side pace is to exam the router. Plug the router back into the modem and run multiple speed tests using your wireless devices, and wired devices plugged into the router's Ethernet ports.
If you meet a vast difference between the modem and router tests, so your router is causing your connection slowdowns—or the Ethernet cable tethering your router to the modem.
Keep in listen that not all wireless devices experience identical speeds. Their connections depend on the hardware within no matter what router you use, and then a budget Samsung telephone will accept slower Wi-Fi speeds than an expensive wireless carte plugged into your desktop.
To troubleshoot router problems, follow these steps:
Step 1: Unplug the router'due south power, expect 30 seconds, and so plug information technology back in.
Step 2: Brand sure all cables are continued securely and that all ports work.
Stride 3: Update your router'southward firmware. You can do this by logging in to your router's web interface or mobile app . (Your Internet service provider probable does this automatically, just it'south worth checking.)
Footstep 4: Reposition your router .
Step 5: Movement wireless connections to the best Wi-Fi band .
Step vi: Modify Wi-Fi channels in your router's interface to find i that's less crowded.
Step vii: Endeavour a factory reset past pressing the reset push located on the back of your router.
If none of these steps work, you may need to upgrade to a newer or more powerful router. Internet tech advances rather quickly, and if your router is more than a few years old, information technology might be fourth dimension to get yourself something more modern . If you're looking for router-buying guidance, we have recommendations for the all-time long-range routers , the all-time modem and router combos , and the all-time routers for Xfinity .
Check for Wi-Fi expressionless zones
Wi-Fi problems can stem from multiple factors . It could be your router'southward range, a crowded frequency channel or band, or point interference caused by physical obstructions and other electronics.
You already know that you should identify your router at a fundamental and elevated location for the best coverage, and so we'll assume that you've already done that and pointed your antennas in the right management.
Go to different areas of your house with a computer or smartphone and scout the Wi-Fi signal strength indicator. If you notice a lot of expressionless zones, you may need to movement your router again (if they happen in areas where y'all normally demand Wi-Fi) or invest in something to boost your Wi-Fi indicate to that particular area. You tin can also make a Wi-Fi heatmap if you want to get more precise with information technology.
If you take more than than a couple of issues with Wi-Fi dead zones, nosotros recommend upgrading to a mesh networking kit . They usually ship with at least 2 nodes—i that connects to your modem and another that communicates directly with the first unit—to create a "coating" of coverage. There's no centralized point, and you can hands add together more nodes to extend coverage. Moreover, devices seamlessly switch between nodes as you move about the home or function.
If you prefer to stick with the traditional router, yous could add a Wi-Fi extender or powerline adapter , Notwithstanding, nosotros all the same prefer mesh router kits versus the router/extender setup .
Reorganize your Wi-Fi connections
If y'all've already pruned your Wi-Fi connections of unnecessary devices , it's time to brand certain all active connections are on the correct Wi-Fi band.
Most modern routers offering two Wi-Fi bands, which each create their own visible Wi-Fi network. Past default, these are usually labeled with their frequency bands, only information technology might be different if you've changed your Wi-Fi network's name.
These bands operate on ii different frequencies: 2.four GHz and five GHz. The two.4 GHz frequency band has a better range, but it's slower and more susceptible to indicate interference from other electronics. The 5 GHz band is faster but can't travel as far.
Basically, you lot want to use the 5 GHz band for about bandwidth-heavy applications similar streaming or gaming. Devices that don't need that much speed—like smart home devices— should use the 2.4 GHz band instead .
Typically, y'all can change the Wi-Fi band each device uses past logging in to the correct Wi-Fi network on each device. Nevertheless, some routers broadcast only i network name and automatically selects the best frequency ring for your device. This tin can exist problematic if you really need the faster 5 GHz connection, only the router forces your device to use the two.4 GHz band.
Change your Wi-Fi band's channel
Both the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz frequency bands used by your router separate into multiple channels, similar to how analog and digital TV works over the air. Like any network dealing with lots of information, these Wi-Fi channels can become also crowded, which can cause slowdowns. This is peculiarly truthful for compacted living situations like flat buildings.
To find the best channel, you lot can use an app similar NetSpot for Windows or use the Network Diagnostics part on a Mac. Changing your Wi-Fi channel involves logging in to your router's web interface and manually selecting the ideal channel.
Bank check continued devices
As we mentioned before, sometimes the event isn't with your internet connexion— information technology's with the smartphone, estimator, or tablet you're using to access the cyberspace . It may demand a reboot, it may be outdated, or you have too many apps and programs open, bogging downwards the device's processor.
Manage your network
If you've made it this far and y'all're yet experiencing problems with tedious net speeds, run through the tips in the home network traffic section of this postal service if you lot haven't already.
Your speed bug most likely stalk from your internet provider'due south reliability or the traffic on your own home network. Fifty-fifty if you've organized and trimmed down your number of connected devices, y'all could yet not have enough bandwidth at certain times of day to cover everything your network has to handle. The only solution to this is to either use the net less or become a faster internet program.
Check out every provider and plan in your area to meet if you can go better speeds for a better deal.
Quick fixes for slow internet speeds (and why they work)
Before we dive in, have an internet speed exam. Measuring your internet speed and knowing how it compares to the speeds you pay for is an important function of diagnosing a ho-hum connexion.
Run the Speed Exam
Fix #1: Power cycle your modem and router (or wireless gateway)
Your modem and router work difficult , and sometimes they need to refresh with a quick power cycle. Only pull the plug on both units, look 30 seconds, and then plug the modem dorsum into the wall outlet. In one case it properly boots, do the same with the router.
In the instance of a wireless gateway, pull the plug, wait, and plug it back in.
Draining both units of power allows them to clear the organisation memory, clear upwards any local advice problems, and reestablish fresh connections. Moreover, a power cycle allows the modem to resync with your internet provider's operator—a device that communicates with multiple modems. It as well refreshes your router's public IP address.
Overall, a power wheel can really requite your internet speeds a boost on your side of the modem.
Fix #ii: Motion your router to another location
Many people hide their routers or wireless gateways in closets, behind article of furniture , or downwards in basement s . Don't be one of those people unless yous want excessively bad Wi-Fi.
Instead , put every bit few physical barriers between your router and your devices as possible. Walls, floors, ceilings , doors, large furniture, and similar obstructions can battlement your Wi-Fi signals and reduce connection speeds , specially over longer distances.
Sure signals from other devices can also interfere with your wireless speeds. These include microwaves, Bluetooth speakers, infant monitors, and cordless phones.
For the best Wi-Fi coverage, place your router in a central, elevated location, or at a location where you employ Wi-Fi the about, like in a home office .
Be sure to use your router's external antennas ( if present ) to get better Wi-Fi coverage. Most router antennas broadcast Wi-Fi signals in an outward circle perpendicular to the antenna's position . For instance, if the antennas are positioned vertically, the Wi-Fi signals broadcast horizontally in all directions.
That said, if you live in a i-story house, keep the antennas vertical. If y'all live in a multistory house, positional at to the lowest degree one antenna horizontally so the Wi-Fi signals reach the additional floors.
Set up #iii: Utilize the internet during off-meridian hours
If yous know there's a big download in your futurity— the latest version of macOS or a 100 GB update for an Xbox Series X game—you might want to schedule a time when yous don't need to practice anything else online. The early morning hours are platonic when anybody is comatose and no other downloads currently grunter your bandwidth.
Operating systems tend to wait until the early morning hours when you lot're fast asleep. Game updates, meanwhile, typically require you to manually outset the download. Other updates aren't quite so all-around with your schedule.
If your internet gets too slow to stream during certain peak hours, download the content earlier in the twenty-four hours (or once again, in the middle of the night) then y'all'll be set up to binge sentry all of Avatar: The Last Airbender without buffering -related interruptions.
Gear up #iv: Upgrade your internet programme
You may need a faster plan if more people live with yous at present, if yous transitioned to working from dwelling, or if you mostly utilise the internet more than y'all did earlier. Enter your zip code below to observe a speedier programme that's available in your area .
Author - Rebecca Lee Armstrong
Rebecca Lee Armstrong has more than six years of experience writing near tech and the net, with a specialty in hands-on testing. She started writing tech product and service reviews while finishing her BFA in creative writing at the University of Evansville and has found her niche writing about home networking, routers, and net admission at HighSpeedInternet.com. Her work has also been featured on Top Ten Reviews, MacSources, Windows Primal, Android Key, Best Company, TechnoFAQ, and iMore.
Editor - Cara Haynes
Cara Haynes has been editing and writing in the digital infinite for seven years, and she'south edited all things internet for HighSpeedInternet.com for five years. She graduated with a BA in English and a small-scale in editing from Brigham Immature University. When she's not editing, she makes tech accessible through her freelance writing for brands like Pluralsight. She believes no 1 should feel lost in net country and that a adept internet connection significantly extends your life span.
Source: https://www.highspeedinternet.com/resources/why-is-my-internet-so-slow
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