In an age where our daily lives rely on a strong internet connection to work, learn and socialize, having a slow connection can be frustrating.Luckily, there are some common reasons as to why your internet could be slowing down, and there are even some quick fixes you can try that may solve the problem.Why is my internet so slow? Various factors could affect the quality of your internet connection, but we’ll list some of the most common ones below.
CauseSummaryHow to fix it Network congestion Too much traffic passing through your network at onceDecrease the number of devices on your network Outdated equipment Older equipment may not be able to handle heavy internet activityUpdate your equipment Your internet planYour internet plan may be too slow for your activitiesUpgrade your speed Your connection typeSome connection types are faster than othersUpgrade to a faster connection type if possible Your internet activities Your internet activities may require more speed than you haveIncrease internet speed ISP throttlingIf you exceed your data limit, your provider may slow your speedsStay under your data limit LatencyLatency can vary by connection type, plan and even distancesUpgrade connection type or plan Your devices Outdated devices could slow your speedsUpgrade outdated devices Malware and virusesMalware and viruses can infect your devices and slow your connectionInstall security software and update your devices regularly Quick ways you can fix your slow internet Restart your equipment – Restarting your equipment should be the first thing you try whenever you experience internet connection issues.It seems simple, but it works more often than not.Just unplug your modem, router or gateway, wait for about 30 seconds to one minute, and then plug it back in.
Upgrade your internet plan – Sometimes you just might need more speed than you’re currently getting.Upgrading your plan to the next speed tier could be the solution to your slow internet problems.Move your equipment to a new location – If your equipment lives in an obstructed area of your home, like in the basement or in a closet, you could be experiencing a weak signal.
Try moving your equipment to a central area where there are limited obstructions to improve your connection. Upgrade your equipment and devices – Upgrading your internet equipment (if you own your equipment) can ensure you’re getting the most out of your internet plan’s speed.Reduce the amount of devices connected to your network – The more devices you have connected to your network at a time, the more bandwidth you will use.Try reducing the number of devices simultaneously using your connection to free up some of that bandwidth.
Use a Wi-Fi extender or mesh network – Adding a Wi-Fi extender to your home network can extend your Wi-Fi coverage to areas that experience a weaker connection.A mesh system can also increase coverage beyond your general stand-alone router or gateway device.Clear your cache – If you have never cleared your cache or it’s been a while, it could be slowing down your web browser.
Try clearing it to improve your speeds.How to increase your internet speed Before you jump into trying to speed up your connection, you first need to know what internet speed you’re getting.Take a speed test to find out what upload and download speeds you’re getting and compare that to your internet plan’s maximum speeds.
Your speed test results: Download Speeds 888 Mbps Upload Speeds 88 Mbps Take again Need more for the price? Try these helpful hacks to improve your internet speed.Or if you just want more bang for your buck, check out providers near you with more speed for the price.Either way, we’ll help you find what you need.
View providers near me Rather chat? Give us a call: (844) 451-2720 Rather chat? Give us a call: (844) 451-2720 Pro Tip: For best results, use an Ethernet cord to connect your router or modem directly to your device before you run the test.If your results are on par with your plan, then you may just need to upgrade if you want more speed.If you’re getting drastically lower speeds than what you are paying for, there are a few things you can try to improve your connection.
When to contact your internet service provider If none of the quick fixes we’ve mentioned are working and your slow speeds continue, it may be time to contact your internet provider.Call your provider’s customer support line to discuss the issues you’re experiencing.Explore top providers’ customer service information below.
Xfinity customer service AT&T customer service Verizon customer service Spectrum customer service If you are hesitant to upgrade your plan, it could be wise to explore other options available at your home.Check your address to find internet providers near you.Explore more tips to boost your internet connection.
FAQs Why is my internet slow? Your internet could be slow for a number of reasons, including network congestion, outdated equipment or devices, too many devices and high-bandwidth activities or even malware or viruses.Does my router location matter? Yes.Try to place your router in a central location with little to no obstructions to ensure an optimal connection.
What is a Wi-Fi dead zone? A Wi-Fi dead zone is an area of your home where the Wi-Fi signal is weak or nonexistent.This is common in multilevel or bigger homes where the router’s signal can’t reach certain areas like a basement or rooms that are far away from the router.What type of internet is the fastest? Fiber internet is the fastest type of residential internet available.
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