Why Is My Upload and Download Speed So Slow

How to Fix Your Tedious Cyberspace

Expert tips to banish slow cyberspace speeds

Jan 23, 2022 Share
FAQ, Net Speed Guides

You can more often than not set up a dull internet connection if the result is on your finish. A simple restart of your modem and your router (or all-in-1 wireless gateway) can sometimes speed upwards your connection. But your slow speeds may likewise be the upshot of problems on your provider'southward end—problems you just tin can't fix.

Mostly, your modem or router (or both) will create a speed clogging if not working properly—the aforementioned goes with wireless gateways. If your equipment is too old, it may not support important internet protocols. Equipment damage, such every bit bad ports or components, can also cause slowdowns.

At that place are a few means to make sure each pace of your network is performing at optimal speed. We'll assistance y'all identify and fix your network'south weakest link starting with the basics—nosotros'll get more in-depth equally we go deeper into our guide.

Want faster cyberspace speeds straight from the source? Enter your zero code beneath to come across if a faster plan is available in your area.

Why is your internet and so ho-hum?

There are many reasons why your net is tedious. Perhaps your cyberspace provider is having issues, your habitation network needs a reboot, or you're just likewise far away from the router—the possibilities can exist a fleck overwhelming. We'll list the most common problems and how you tin ready them to get more than speed.

Your net plan is too ho-hum
You need better network management
Your provider's network is congested
You exceeded your data cap
You lot take weak Wi-Fi signals
Yous have high latency
You accept slow or outdated devices
Your provider is throttling your connection

Problem: Your internet programme is too slow

If your internet slows down but when too many other people are online simultaneously, you're probably using more information than your program allows. Use our net speed test to see if you're getting the speed advertised past your Internet service provider. If your results are close to your plan speed, consider upgrading.

Your net packet gives y'all a specific amount of bandwidth, and if in that location's more than information trying to movement around than there is bandwidth, you run into a traffic jam.

Think of your net connection like a route directly to your house. One auto'south worth of people (or internet data) can reach your business firm at a time. If there are three cars trying to go at that place, they have to line upwards to go to your house. And if more than cars arrive as the others are waiting to reach your house, the line and the delays get longer.

The easiest way to get more bandwidth is by upgrading to a faster internet plan that tin go along upwards with your household. We're online at present more than than always, and the internet program you signed up for a few years ago might not exist sufficient today if your connectedness slows downward every time multiple people use the internet.

Nosotros recommend checking out one of the fastest net providers in the Usa.

Trouble: You need better network management

If upgrading isn't an option, yous need to either deal with the slow speeds or manage your household's internet employ. Thankfully, in that location are severa fifty easy ways of doing the latter that doesn't include yelling at everyone to get off the internet so you can attend a Zoom meeting.

Here are a few tips on how to manage your dwelling network traffic:

Utilize QoS settings

Many routers have a quality of service (or QoS) component that allows you to command how your network prioritizes certain types of data. That fashion, yous can make sure your streaming data always gets beginning access to available bandwidth for smooth playback.

Non all routers have adjustable QoS, merely if your router does, y'all'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'south spider web interface . It's actually piece of cake if you don't know how—just follow our instructions.

Clip your internet connections

At that place may be some devices connected to your network that you rarely apply—if at all. For example: you bought a new laptop, but the one-time one however idles and connects to the network. Even though information technology'due south not in use, it nonetheless 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 take too many connected devices the router may start kicking some of them off the network.

One simple way to take stock of all the devices using your network is to load your router'south spider web interface and view the network map. You will run across all continued devices, whether they're agile or not, and so you can block the ones you never use.

Another method is to alter the Wi-Fi password, but that only applies to wireless devices . Once you do , you must manually reconnect every device that accesses your wireless network .

Some routers or wireless gateways also take a handy companion app that lets yous come across everything on your network without loading a browser . That way you can identify and remove devices that no longer need admission to your network .

Stagger bandwidth-hogging activities

If your connection can't handle everyone online at once, stagger your internet activities so everyone gets a take chances at an uninterrupted connection.

Also, brand certain to schedule big downloads (like calculator and game updates) during times when other people won't be online.

Put visitors on a invitee network

There'due south nothing wrong with sharing your net with guests when they come up to visit , only y'all don't desire them to secretly download illegal content while they lounge on your couch . That'south where your router's guest network feature comes into play .

Y'all can create a second invitee network using your router'south web interface or mobile app. A guest network allows y'all to limit how much bandwidth guests can employ, and what services and websites they can access . Information technology besides prevents guest devices from mingling with your devices, so there'south no worry almost guests spreading malware to everything you use.

Problem: Your provider's network is congested

Cable internet subscribers may suffer slowdowns during peak times when they and everyone else in the neighborhood are agile online at the same time. It's a similar situation to traffic on your home network merely on a larger scale. In this instance, you and all your neighbors compete for the same bandwidth.

If the congestion gets particularly bad, your internet provider may throttle internet speeds in your expanse to reduce traffic for the network.

Unfortunately, yous can't control when or how often people in the same area use the internet —nosotros certainly don't propose asking your neighbors to log off then you tin Zoom in peace. But there are a few tricks to circumventing the upshot.

Try to schedule game and media downloads during off-peak hours, like in the middle of the dark. Yous could too switch to another provider that doesn't have every bit many subscribers around y'all, though that could be difficult to determine .

The but type of internet that isn't much affected by an surface area's network congestion is fiber internet . Cobweb infrastructure is capable of conveying much more information than other internet types, so having a ton of traffic at the same time doesn't tedious downward individual customers.

Trouble: You exceeded your information cap

Many internet providers have data caps, and some slow your speeds to a crawl later you hit that cap. You tin unremarkably check to see how much data you've used on your online account or through your Internet access provider's app. Providers like Xfinity requite customers very loftier data caps—1.ii TB for this example—and shouldn't crusade too many issues for nigh households. But satellite net providers including and are less generous with their data allowances.

Satellite internet providers accuse for internet use by information rather than by internet speed. It's similar to how cell phone plans unremarkably work: once you lot apply up your data assart for the month , your internet connexion can slow to a clamber.

HughesNet customers can run across speeds driblet to 1–3 Mbps. Viasat customers tin expect all their internet traffic to be deprioritized, meaning that their data gets pushed to the dorsum of the line of all Viasat customers' data.

Many DSL, cable, and fiber internet companies are discontinuing data limits , only there are many others that proceed to proceed them in place . Look to encounter if your internet service has a data cap in our guide to Internet service provider data caps .

Problem: You lot have weak Wi-Fi signals

Walls, altitude, and even microwaves tin interfere with your Wi-Fi point. Weaker Wi-Fi signals mean slower speeds and frequent disconnects .

You can tell if indicate interference and weak Wi-Fi signals are your issues if your connexion works well near your router but is extremely slow in the next room .

To fix weak Wi-Fi, get-go, check your router's placement. Y ou want to make sure your router is in a primal and elevated location and away from things that can bear on your Wi-Fi signals (like walls, Bluetooth speakers, etc.).

If that doesn't work, you might need to replace your router with one designed for longer ranges or ameliorate coverage—or y'all can add an extender to your network to stretch Wi-Fi signals into a previously unreachable area .

Bank check out our guide to long-range routers if yous need better Wi-Fi coverage. It goes over both mesh Wi-Fi systems and standalone routers to assist you figure out how best to access the internet in every inch of your home.

Trouble: You have high latency

Latency is the fourth dimension data takes to make a circular trip from your device to the destination and dorsum. A high latency creates noticeable lag: an extended duration between your concrete deportment and the results displayed on your screen. This can exist particularly frustrating with online gaming or video calls.

High latency is difficult to piece of work effectually. It depends partially on your physical distance from internet servers, network congestion between you lot and the servers , and your internet provider's infrastructure. Internet type can too play into latency as well.

For example, satellite internet has high latency because all your information must travel to space and back, both coming and going to your device. Newer types of net, including fiber and 5G mmWave , take lower latency because they can handle faster signals.

If you're looking to lower your latency for a improve connectedness, cheque out our report on the fastest ISPs . It dives into which net services have the all-time tested speeds and lowest average latency.

Problem: You have slow or outdated devices

The trouble might not be with your internet connection—it might be with the device you apply . Your computer, tablet, telephone, or gaming panel could be outdated and not capable of processing today's Wi-Fi speeds.

For example, the erstwhile (only much loved) PlayStation Vita handheld console supports up to 150 Mbps per second because information technology uses a Wi-Fi four radio. That speed can decrease based on the router information technology connects to and the security protocol it uses. The Vita will never run across speeds beyond that 150 Mbps limit.

If you lot accept speed issues on a desktop or laptop, endeavour power cycling the device. This clears the retention 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 30 seconds—will "articulate its caput."

Other things that tin slow down your devices include the post-obit:

Too many open applications
Too many open up browser tabs
Outdated software
Outdated drivers
The operating system needs to reboot to install updates
Patch downloads
App downloads
Malware

Avoid overwhelming your computer'due south CPU past closing unused applications and browser windows. Keep your device'south operating organisation up to date by allowing car-updates, and keep your antivirus definitions current.

Problem: Your provider is throttling your connexion

Internet providers can throttle your speeds, causing a slow connection . We'll get over throttling briefly hither, only y'all tin get a more than in-depth look at the subject in our guide to network throttling .

Nosotros've already discussed a few circumstances where a provider might throttle your speeds—like if you go over your data cap or if there's too much congestion in the network. But your provider might besides slow you downwardly if it flags your internet activity as potentially illegal or if information technology generally doesn't want you to do a specific type of activity (like torrenting).

To run across if your provider is throttling your internet, run a speed exam normally and so run it again using a VPN. If your speeds improve with the VPN, congratulations! Yous're throttled.

Other factors that affect your speed

Your net plan'south maximum speed

Internet speeds are measured in megabits per second (Mbps) . This refers to your connection's total bandwidth, not the bodily time information uses to brand a circular trip to a website and back—that's called latency.

Providers usually advertise their internet speeds every bit "up to" a certain number of megabits per second, and there's usually some fine print that says those speeds are not guaranteed. Internet providers are mostly in the clear legally if your net doesn't actually perform up to the highest advertised bandwidth.

Realistically, you may pay for 400 Mbps per month, but you probable won't run across that maximum due to hardware bug betwixt your internet provider's operator—a device that communicates with multiple modems—and your physical internet connection. Utility pole connections, your buried cable, and so on all play a major gene in how your connexion performs. There's nothing y'all tin can do to get the maximum bandwidth yous pay for each calendar month other than hope for the highest speeds possible.

If you need a refresher on internet speeds and what they mean, check out our guide to internet speeds .

Your upload and download speeds

You upload and download data every twenty-four hours, whether you're on a smartphone or a laptop. For instance, when you access a website, you lot upload a request to that website and and so download temporary files from the site to view it in your browser.

If you don't have issues with streaming on Netflix or downloading files but are nonetheless experiencing some symptoms of irksome internet speeds, your issue might actually exist with your upload speed.

Cablevision, DSL, and satellite providers give customers style less upload bandwidth than download bandwidth considering most people request much more information from the net than they send. Upload speed is typically an result for heavy uploaders—like Twitch streamers , people who work with video or audio , or those who oftentimes have to share large files.

The all-time way to improve upload speeds is to switch to a cobweb plan. Fiber-optic internet connections often requite customers upload speeds equal to their download speeds. If you don't know what kind of speeds you really demand , check out our recommendations for upload and download speeds .

Your internet connection type

At that place are a few different technologies cyberspace providers use to deliver your connexion, like cable, fiber, satellite, or DSL. Your net connection type p lays a huge factor in your overall speeds.

Satellite cyberspace transfers net signals from a base station to a satellite to a receiver at your home. Because all your information must travel such a long distance both ways, satellite internet can take very high latency compared to other types of internet, which slows things downwards.

DSL internet uses phone lines to carry data. Considering the infrastructure is usually a fiddling older, it tin can't handle the same amount of bandwidth as a newer connectedness similar fiber. DSL internet tops out at only 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 cable Boob tube. Speeds tin reach up to 1,000 Mbps, but cable is susceptible to network congestion during loftier-traffic times due to the infrastructure'southward overall "shared" design.

Fiber-optic cyberspace is one of the newest types of cyberspace, and information technology's the all-time wired connection you can get. Cobweb uses LED or laser pulses to send your internet data, and so it has lower latency than other net types equally a whole. It tin also carry much more bandwidth than cable or DSL, offer speeds up to 2,000 Mbps. It's less decumbent to network congestion and can offer as loftier download and upload speeds.

Overall, DSL and cablevision are the nearly mutual internet types while fiber is newer but deficient. Satellite is all-time for rural areas where the other three types can't reach.

How to troubleshoot a dull connectedness

First, know your programme speed

You need to know how much speed you lot pay for each calendar month and compare that number against the speed you're actually getting now . Look on your paper bill or log in to your online account to meet your plan's advertised maximum speed.

Next, run a speed test and compare

Running a serial of speed tests while connected to different points in your network can help yous figure out where your speeds are slowing down. We'll break the testing procedure downwards into 2 sections.

Part 1: Test the modem

Your first speed test is to see if you're getting the correct speeds to your home compared with what y'all're supposed to become from your internet provider . To become the most accurate results for your initial speed test, unplug your router from the modem and connect a reckoner to the same port on the modem using an Ethernet cable. If you lot have a wireless gateway, simply plug it into i of the Ethernet ports.

Alarm: Nosotros don't recommend browsing the internet for extended periods of fourth dimension without using a router. Your router has some fantabulous built-in security features that protect your network from viruses and malware.

This first examination should give you results that are close to the speeds promoted with your plan. If not, try to rails this issue over multiple days and times of solar day to establish a pattern. Contact your internet provider to talk most why you lot're not getting the right speeds if yous proceed to meet lower than expected results .

Run the Speed Test

Part 2: Test the router

If your modem isn't the issue, the adjacent step is to test 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 divergence betwixt the modem and router tests, so your router is causing your connexion 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 inside no matter what router you use, so a budget Samsung phone will accept slower Wi-Fi speeds than an expensive wireless card plugged into your desktop.

To troubleshoot router issues, follow these steps:

Step 1: Unplug the router's power, wait 30 seconds, and and then plug information technology back in.

Pace 2: Make sure all cables are continued securely and that all ports work.

Stride 3: Update your router's firmware. Y'all can do this by logging in to your router'due south spider web interface or mobile app . (Your ISP probable does this automatically, merely information technology'southward worth checking.)

Step 4: Reposition your router .

Step 5: Move wireless connections to the best Wi-Fi band .

Pace 6: Change Wi-Fi channels in your router's interface to find one that'southward less crowded.

Footstep 7: Effort a factory reset past pressing the reset push button located on the back of your router.

If none of these steps work, you may demand to upgrade to a newer or more powerful router. Cyberspace tech advances rather quickly, and if your router is more than a few years quondam, it might be time to get yourself something more modern . If you lot're looking for router-buying guidance, nosotros have recommendations for the best long-range routers , the best modem and router combos , and the best routers for Xfinity .

Bank check for Wi-Fi dead zones

Wi-Fi bug can stem from multiple factors . It could exist your router'south range, a crowded frequency aqueduct or band, or bespeak interference caused by physical obstructions and other electronics.

Yous already know that you should identify your router at a central and elevated location for the best coverage, and then we'll assume that you've already washed that and pointed your antennas in the right direction.

Go to different areas of your firm with a computer or smartphone and watch the Wi-Fi signal strength indicator. If you lot observe a lot of dead zones, yous may need to move your router again (if they happen in areas where you unremarkably need Wi-Fi) or invest in something to boost your Wi-Fi signal to that particular area. You can also make a Wi-Fi heatmap if yous want to get more than precise with it.

If you have more than a couple of issues with Wi-Fi dead zones, we recommend upgrading to a mesh networking kit . They usually ship with at least 2 nodes—one that connects to your modem and another that communicates directly with the first unit of measurement—to create a "blanket" of coverage. There's no centralized point, and y'all can easily add more nodes to extend coverage. Moreover, devices seamlessly switch between nodes as you motion about the home or office.

If you adopt to stick with the traditional router, you could add a Wi-Fi extender or powerline adapter , However, we nonetheless prefer mesh router kits versus the router/extender setup .

Reorganize your Wi-Fi connections

If you've already pruned your Wi-Fi connections of unnecessary devices , it's time to brand sure 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. By default, these are usually labeled with their frequency bands, merely it might be different if y'all've changed your Wi-Fi network's name.

These bands operate on two unlike frequencies: 2.4 GHz and v GHz. The 2.4 GHz frequency ring has a improve range, simply it'southward slower and more susceptible to point interference from other electronics. The 5 GHz band is faster but can't travel as far.

Basically, yous want to use the 5 GHz band for nigh bandwidth-heavy applications similar streaming or gaming. Devices that don't need that much speed—like smart habitation devices— should use the 2.4 GHz band instead .

Typically, you can change the Wi-Fi band each device uses by logging in to the correct Wi-Fi network on each device. Nonetheless, some routers circulate only ane network name and automatically selects the best frequency band for your device. This can be problematic if yous really demand the faster 5 GHz connection, but the router forces your device to use the 2.4 GHz band.

Change your Wi-Fi band's channel

Both the 2.iv GHz and five GHz frequency bands used by your router split into multiple channels, similar to how analog and digital TV works over the air. Like whatever network dealing with lots of data, these Wi-Fi channels can become too crowded, which can cause slowdowns. This is peculiarly true for compacted living situations like flat buildings.

To find the best aqueduct, you can use an app like NetSpot for Windows or use the Network Diagnostics function on a Mac. Changing your Wi-Fi aqueduct involves logging in to your router'due south web interface and manually selecting the platonic channel.

Bank check continued devices

Equally we mentioned before, sometimes the outcome isn't with your internet connection— information technology's with the smartphone, computer, or tablet you're using to admission the internet . It may need a reboot, it may be outdated, or yous have as well many apps and programs open up, bogging down the device's processor.

Manage your network

If y'all've made it this far and you're notwithstanding experiencing issues with slow cyberspace speeds, run through the tips in the dwelling house network traffic section of this postal service if you haven't already.

Your speed issues most likely stem from your internet provider's reliability or the traffic on your ain domicile network. Even if you've organized and trimmed down your number of connected devices, you could still non have enough bandwidth at certain times of solar day to cover everything your network has to handle. The only solution to this is to either utilise the internet less or get a faster cyberspace plan.

Check out every provider and plan in your surface area to come across if you tin go improve speeds for a better bargain.

Quick fixes for slow cyberspace speeds (and why they work)

Before we dive in, take an net speed test. Measuring your internet speed and knowing how it compares to the speeds you lot pay for is an of import part of diagnosing a slow connection.

Run the Speed Exam

Fix #1: Power wheel your modem and router (or wireless gateway)

Your modem and router piece of work hard , and sometimes they need to refresh with a quick power bicycle. Simply pull the plug on both units, await thirty seconds, so plug the modem back into the wall outlet. One time information technology properly boots, practise the aforementioned with the router.

In the instance of a wireless gateway, pull the plug, wait, and plug it dorsum in.

Draining both units of power allows them to articulate the system memory, clear up any local communication issues, and reestablish fresh connections. Moreover, a ability bicycle allows the modem to resync with your internet provider's operator—a device that communicates with multiple modems. Information technology also refreshes your router'due south public IP address.

Overall, a power cycle can really give your internet speeds a boost on your side of the modem.

Ready #2: Motion your router to another location

Many people hide their routers or wireless gateways in closets, behind furniture , or down in basement southward . Don't be i of those people unless you lot want excessively bad Wi-Fi.

Instead , put as few physical barriers between your router and your devices every bit possible. Walls, floors, ceilings , doors, large furniture, and like obstructions can barricade your Wi-Fi signals and reduce connection speeds , especially over longer distances.

Certain signals from other devices can also interfere with your wireless speeds. These include microwaves, Bluetooth speakers, baby monitors, and cordless phones.

For the best Wi-Fi coverage, identify your router in a key, elevated location, or at a location where y'all employ Wi-Fi the about, like in a home office .

Be sure to employ your router's external antennas ( if present ) to get better Wi-Fi coverage. About router antennas broadcast Wi-Fi signals in an outward circumvolve perpendicular to the antenna's position . For case, if the antennas are positioned vertically, the Wi-Fi signals broadcast horizontally in all directions.

That said, if you live in a ane-story business firm, keep the antennas vertical. If you live in a multistory house, positional at least 1 antenna horizontally and then the Wi-Fi signals reach the boosted floors.

Gear up #3: Use the internet during off-meridian hours

If you know there'south a big download in your future— the latest version of macOS or a 100 GB update for an Xbox Series X game—you might want to schedule a time when you don't need to practice annihilation else online. The early forenoon hours are platonic when everyone is comatose and no other downloads currently hog your bandwidth.

Operating systems tend to await until the early on morning hours when you lot're fast asleep. Game updates, meanwhile, typically require yous to manually beginning the download. Other updates aren't quite so accommodating with your schedule.

If your cyberspace gets too wearisome to stream during certain peak hours, download the content earlier in the day (or again, in the middle of the night) so you lot'll be set up to binge lookout all of Avatar: The Last Airbender without buffering -related interruptions.

Fix #iv: Upgrade your cyberspace program

You may need a faster programme if more people live with y'all now, if y'all transitioned to working from home, or if you generally use the internet more than than you did before. Enter your zip code below to find a speedier programme that'due south available in your expanse .

Author - Rebecca Lee Armstrong

Rebecca Lee Armstrong has more than vi years of experience writing well-nigh 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 Academy of Evansville and has found her niche writing well-nigh home networking, routers, and cyberspace admission at HighSpeedInternet.com. Her work has likewise been featured on Summit Ten Reviews, MacSources, Windows Primal, Android Cardinal, All-time Company, TechnoFAQ, and iMore.

Editor - Cara Haynes

Cara Haynes has been editing and writing in the digital space for vii years, and she'due south edited all things internet for HighSpeedInternet.com for five years. She graduated with a BA in English and a modest in editing from Brigham Young University. When she'due south not editing, she makes tech accessible through her freelance writing for brands like Pluralsight. She believes no i should feel lost in internet land and that a good internet connectedness significantly extends your life bridge.

jacksonawallaid.blogspot.com

Source: https://www.highspeedinternet.com/resources/why-is-my-internet-so-slow