Edit this Article. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. By using our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Cookie Settings. Learn why people trust wikiHow. Download Article Explore this Article parts. Tips and Warnings. Related Articles. Article Summary. Part 1. Run a speed test. Before you get down and dirty with your hardware and computer settings, check to see what kind of speeds you are getting and compare that to the advertised speeds for your service.
There are a variety of speed test sites on the net, just search for "speed test" in Google and pick the top few results. Different tests will give you different results. Even the same test may give you different results between tests.
This is due to the location of test servers and the number of people sharing your connection. Take multiple tests and find the average speed you are getting.
You may need to have Flash installed to run the test. If given the option, pick the test server closest to your physical location. This will help get you the most accurate results on speedtest. Compare your results against what you're paying for.
Check with your service provider to see what speeds you should be getting. Keep in mind that speeds advertised by your provider are "best case" speeds, and you may not be able to actually get that number on a regular basis, especially if using WiFi.
If you haven't upgraded your internet in a long time, you may be able to get better speeds for less money. Companies aren't usually keen to inform you of better deals, so check to see if new services are available that weren't when you signed up. Check with all the providers in your area. There are 8 megabits Mb in a megabyte MB , so if you are paying for 25 megabits per second Mbps , then that's just over 3 megabytes per second MBps of actual maximum transfer speed.
If your test result was measured in Kbps, then you divide that number by to attain your measurement in Mbps. Reset your modem. Restarting your modem and router can help alleviate some network issues by cleaning up old data and re-provisioning your modem configuration from your internet service provider.
If necessary, your modem will automatically download firmware updates from the ISP. See this guide for details on resetting your network. Check for sources of interference. If you are using a wireless router, some devices can affect your connection due to interference.
Wireless routers come in multiple varieties; Common devices that can interfere with your wireless connection are microwaves and cell phones, many of which operate in the 2. In order to minimize interference, turn off data on your phone and move your microwave oven away from wireless devices and your router when you're using the connection. Your Internet signal will get weaker when you have multiple walls in between your device and the router.
Check to see if you've reached a data cap. Some internet providers enforce a data cap on their customers' internet usage. A data cap limits the amount of information you can download and upload over the internet in the course of a month. Occasionally, they may call this a "data usage plan". Log in to your account page, or contact the customer service department to see if you have gone over your monthly allowance.
Often, the penalty for going over the cap is decreased speed for the rest of the billing period or extra charges on your bill. Call your internet service provider. Sometimes you just have a bad connection that can only be fixed on your provider's end. They can usually tell if your connection is substandard without having a technician come to your home by reading signal levels off of your modem.
If necessary, they will send a line technician out to your house or neighborhood to check their infrastructure. If the problem is on your end, you might be charged a fee for the visit, so it's important to try troubleshooting over the phone or internet first.
Check all of the devices on your network. If someone else on your network is downloading a lot of media from the internet, such as watching streaming videos or downloading large files, it is probably using a significant percentage of your bandwidth. If you're familiar with your router's web interface, you may be able to find QoS Quality of Service settings to prioritize traffic from certain IPs or service and limit the throughput for others.
Otherwise, ask them to keep their downloading habits to a minimum. Relocate your wireless router or computer. If you are connected to the internet via a Wi-Fi router, poor signal can lead to lower speeds and dropped connections. On Windows, you can use a command in Windows PowerShell to see all the available channels or install an app like NetSpot.
Once logged in, look for your Wi-Fi settings. The option to change your band channel should be there. Your router is a small computer dedicated to network management and traffic routing. Like any computing device, it requires an operating system—in this case, firmware.
Since no software is entirely perfect, developers release updates that optimize the code, stomp out pesky bugs, and fill security gaps. Keeping the firmware current is a major priority for performance and security. Many newer routers have automatic firmware updates toggled on, but checking the firmware version can give you better peace of mind.
Log in to your router and verify that automatic updates are toggled on. Internet providers supply either a single wireless gateway or pair a standalone modem with a router. A store-bought router, for instance, gives you more control over the features, speeds, and security of your home network.
It sets you up for 10 Gbps cable internet when the connection becomes available. If you want more recommendations for a new modem or router, check out some of our favorites:.
If you have just one stubborn dead zone, a booster would probably be a good fit. Mesh systems are better for full-house coverage if your home is particularly large or has a complicated layout. And using an access point would be ideal if your house is wired with Ethernet. While we hope these tips will do the trick for you, sometimes your internet connection is simply too slow to sustain your internet consumption.
Unsure what internet speeds you need to support your online habits? Check out our guides to internet speed for online gaming and video streaming requirements. So even if you have a Mbps plan, you might not always get that much bandwidth.
You can find every internet provider in your area and compare internet speeds and prices by entering your zip in the box below. See Your Providers. Wi-Fi is great, but wired connections are faster and more reliable. If you have high-priority devices like a desktop, gaming console, or smart TV, it might be worth your while to plug them in to your router with an Ethernet cable instead of relying on Wi-Fi.
Your Ultimate Guide to Speeding Up. Routers vary significantly in functionality and price, but in this case, the upgrade to make is generally in terms of how far your Wi-Fi is broadcast.
If you have a large house, you're likely better off with a router that can pair with "repeaters" that broadcast signals into the farthest reaches of your home.
Smaller homes and apartments can generally get by with a simpler system. Read our router buying guide for more details. For larger homes, we recommend a mesh network, where you install multiple router nodes around your house. The downside is there's no support for Wi-Fi 6. If you have a lot of brand-new devices that support Wi-Fi 6, that might be a deal breaker. We also found that some devices needed to be closer to the Vilo routers than on other systems.
Still, if you're on a tight budget, the Vilo might be the answer. If messing around with your router settings seems too daunting, and you have a few dollars to spare, invest in a Wi-Fi extender or repeater.
These devices plug into a spare wall socket, connect to the wireless internet getting beamed out by your router, and then extend it. They're usually simple to set up, easy to use, and can instantly get rid of Wi-Fi dead zones in your house. The extended or repeated wireless signals won't be as strong as the ones coming straight from your router, so again, positioning is important.
Try to use these devices to connect gadgets that don't need a huge amount of bandwidth. Make sure the maximum supported Wi-Fi standard e.
An alternative to extenders is a powerline kit. Digital signals can pass through electrical wiring, and powerline devices are designed to take advantage of this. It works like this: You connect a powerline plug to your router, then put the plug into a wall socket. Add another powerline plug in any other room in your house, and it can provide a wired or wireless connection to that room. There will be some drop in speed, but it's a simple and effective option. Unless your home is particularly old, it should have electrical wiring that supports this, but it's best to buy your kit from a retailer with a robust return policy just in case.
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Mbps Megabits per second. A unit of measurement used to indicate download and upload speeds. Upload speeds. Transfer data from your home for activities like video calls, uploading large files, working on online documents and live gaming. Get the latest internet, streaming, wireless, TV and home security news directly to your inbox. On this page 12 ways to improve your internet speed Update your security Optimize your router settings Choose a new Wi-Fi channel Purchase a newer, high-end router Reset your router Angle one Wi-Fi antenna up and one to the side Antenna upgrades and omnidirectional antennas Move your wireless router to an elevated, clear spot Move your wireless router to a central part of your home Configure or purchase a Wi-Fi repeater Add an internet extender Take a speed test.
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