How to speed up your internet right now If you’re plagued by slow internet during the day (or night), first try these quick and easy solutions that don’t require a tech visit.Then, keep reading to learn what else could be slowing your internet, along with more tips to improve your speeds.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 Disconnect Wi-Fi devices that are not in use – their extra bandwidth could be slowing your network Put devices on different Wi-Fi bands.Your router is likely dual- or tri-band, so use the separate 2.4 and 5 GHz wavelengths to optimize your home Wi-Fi 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 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 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 Enter your ZIP code to view internet plans available near you What’s causing my internet to slow down during the day? CauseSummaryHow to fix it Network congestionToo much traffic passing through your network at onceDecrease the number of devices on your network Outdated equipmentOlder equipment may not be able to handle heavy internet activityUpdate your equipment Your internet planYour internet plan may be too slow for your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 activitiesYour internet activities may require more speed than you haveIncrease internet speed ISP throttlingIf you exceed your data limit, your provider may slow your speeds by throttlingStay under your data limit LatencyLatency can vary by connection type, plan and even distancesUpgrade connection type or plan Your devicesOutdated devices could slow your speedsUpgrade outdated devices Malware and virusesMalware and viruses can infect your devices and slow your connectionInstall security software and update your devices regularly Enter your ZIP code to view internet plans available near you What’s causing my internet to slow down during the night? Network traffic and congestion The internet rush hour is from 7 to 11 p.m.
daily.The heavier online traffic during this time is the most common answer to “why does my internet get worse at night.” Increased traffic especially affects those with cable or 5G internet, since these connection types rely on shared bandwidth. How to fix it: If you’re frustrated with bouts of buffering in the evening, it might be time to shop around for a new internet connection type.Fiber internet, in particular, is not subject to network traffic jams since it uses a dedicated (not shared) connection. Data caps and internet throttling Some internet service providers (ISPs) will throttle speeds — even on a service that is labeled as ‘unlimited’ — and this clause will be noted in the ISP’s residential internet acceptable use policy.
Check for data caps or ‘thresholds’ in the fine print of your internet plan to discover what data limitations might be affecting your home internet. How to fix it: Determine if your plan has a data limit.If it does have a data cap, you can try shopping for an internet provider in your area that offers unlimited service. If your plan doesn’t have a data limit, it’s still a good idea to carry out routine speed tests at the same time every day (ideally on the same device).This will help you to get a baseline for your average speed, and allow you to identify potential throttling if you notice your speed dramatically dropping in the future. Final thoughts on speeding up your internet during the day or night If you cannot remedy your daytime or nightly internet slowdown issues, it may be time to reevaluate your internet plan, connection type or provider.
It’s possible that your current internet plan doesn’t provide the speed you need in your household.Take our internet speed quiz to see if your internet speeds and your internet activities are compatible.What high-speed internet is available in my area? Call now to see what provider options are available in your area.
If you have access to cable or fiber internet service, consider switching providers.A better, faster and more reliable connection type could be an easy solution to faster internet.Slow internet FAQs Why is my internet so slow? Your internet might be slow due to your plan’s top speed, so check your plan to make sure you have the right one for your needs.
Network congestion or throttling by your provider may also be causing slowdowns.Why is my internet slower at night? Network congestion often happens in the evening hours, when most people are home from work and streaming, gaming and surfing the web.Why do internet providers throttle speed? Some ISPs throttle speed because you’ve reached your plan’s data cap or they are experiencing a heavy volume of traffic.
They will also throttle speeds if businesses pay for extra bandwidth and consideration.What to read next Read more Featured 30% of Americans say their internet is too slow.Here’s how to fix it Joe Supan — 4 min read Featured Understand speed test results and learn to boost your internet speed Robin Layton — 6 min read Featured What is a good internet speed? Camryn Smith — 7 min read Latest Tuesday, September 22, 2026 Why your internet slows down at certain times of the day — and what to do about it Lisa Iscrupe — 3 min read Tuesday, September 22, 2026 What is Wi-Fi? Learn the basics of this service Camryn Smith — 9 min read Tuesday, September 22, 2026 Step-by-step guide on how to set up a VPN Camryn Smith — 4 min read
Read More
