For example, there may be a problem with the cable line running from your house to your ISP, or with some other equipment they have.

Install an extension like AdBlock Plus to stop the bandwidth-sucking ads that interfere with your connection. Unlike worms, these applications are designed to do useful work and should not be removed from the device. Speed tests may sometimes appear rather high, as some Internet service providers may prioritize them and they may have servers very close to you. Here are the instructions how to enable JavaScript in your web browser. Your modem has to be built to handle the Internet plan you want. When routers, modems , or cables malfunction, they don't properly support network traffic at full speeds. Street Address. Like computers, modems and routers sometimes get stuck in a bad, slow, overloaded state. In general, the closer your device is to the router, the better the Wi-Fi connection. Instead, that amount will be shared between those devices.

I should have mentioned that in the post about SpeedTest. Unlike worms, these applications are designed to do useful work and should not be removed from the device. Post Review. You could also just have a dead zone, something interfering with your Wi-Fi signal, or poor converage throughout your home. By using Lifewire, you accept our. But don't forget other network activity that could be impacting overall bandwidth. For example, there may be a problem with the cable line running from your house to your ISP, or with some other equipment they have. Good luck! Just like cellphone reception can be spotty, Wi-Fi reception can be spotty, too. These tests reveal whether your local computer's outbound connection is impaired.

Leave a review. Check your computer for background network activity as you troubleshoot the slow network. Sep 23, Question from Kellie L. Sep 2, Here are the instructions how to enable JavaScript in your web browser. Latency and ping rate can be affected by a number of factors — from network throttling to congestion. How-To Geek is where you turn when you want experts to explain technology. Author - HSI Staff.

Your hardware needs replacing. You can measure your latency by entering a ping command into your command prompt. Windows Mac iPhone Android. Even if they're not communicating directly with each other, things like a smart TV streaming movies, a camera constantly relaying HD video, and smart speakers playing music, can make everything on the network slow. Question from Kellie L. Test the Internet with another device, like a smartphone or tablet. One of the biggest causes of slow Internet is a bad modem. The Wi-Fi signal is bad.

Modem age plays a big factor in this. But don't forget other network activity that could be impacting overall bandwidth. Your computer is slow. Would you like to ask Rick a tech question? Just click one of the handy social media sharing buttons below. Post Review. Join , subscribers and get a daily digest of news, geek trivia, and our feature articles. To reboot them, unplug each from their respective power outlets for ten seconds before plugging them back in.

There are some caveats here. Internet speed ultimately depends on the service provider. As the centerpiece of a network, a broadband router can be responsible for slow internet connections if it is configured improperly. If you want a surefire way to improve your connection, surpass Wi-Fi altogether and plug your computer directly into your modem. Click here to check out the Newsletter archives. Join , subscribers and get a daily digest of news, geek trivia, and our feature articles. Speeds may also be slower at busier times of the day, when everyone in your neighborhood is using the Internet connection, than at off hours when many people are sleeping or at work. Click here to be notified of new tips by email!

Systematically try bypassing the router, swapping cables, and testing with multiple devices to isolate the slow performance to a specific component of the system. Then, decide if it can be upgraded, repaired, or replaced. If you do have splitters on your cable line, try disconnecting them to troubleshoot your Internet connection. Bonus tip 2: Want to make sure you never miss one of my tips? Accept Cookies Read our Privacy Policy. It could be a problem with your modem or router, Wi-Fi signal, signal strength on your cable line, devices on your network saturating your bandwidth, or even a slow DNS server. You can do that by either turning the other devices off, temporarily disconnecting them from the network or placing them in Airplane Mode. For full functionality of this site it is necessary to enable JavaScript.

Instead, that amount will be shared between those devices. Then, decide if it can be upgraded, repaired, or replaced. For example, it can automatically throttle BitTorrent bandwidth to avoid slowing down Netflix streams. Test the Internet with another device, like a smartphone or tablet. This blog uses cookies to ensure that you receive the best experience on my website. Your modem has to be built to handle the Internet plan you want. Lifewire uses cookies to provide you with a great user experience. Unlike worms, these applications are designed to do useful work and should not be removed from the device. The router connects to the modem, which is connected to the cable coming out of the wall.

You can do that by either turning the other devices off, temporarily disconnecting them from the network or placing them in Airplane Mode. If your modem is properly outfitted for your Internet capacity, the issue may be the router. Tweet Share Email. Click here to be notified of new tips by email! Enter your email address. If you have cable Internet and you have coaxial cable splitters on the line going to your cable modem, these could be degrading your signal strength and leading to slower Internet connection. Thanks for your help! Jan 12, Share Brand Guides. On a Linux computer, use the top command. Just like cellphone reception can be spotty, Wi-Fi reception can be spotty, too.

The router connects to the modem, which is connected to the cable coming out of the wall. By using Lifewire, you accept our. How-To Geek is where you turn when you want experts to explain technology. To reboot them, unplug each from their respective power outlets for ten seconds before plugging them back in. A virus is draining your resources. A device that is close to a router, but blocked by a barrier, may not successfully connect. Your hardware needs replacing. Test the Internet with another device, like a smartphone or tablet.

Your other option? The Best Tech Newsletter Anywhere. Lifewire uses cookies to provide you with a great user experience. Click here to be notified of new tips by email! This problem can be fixed with a reboot. Your Internet connection is shared by all the devices in your home, so other devices on your network could be saturating your Internet connection, slowing things down for everyone else. For full functionality of this site it is necessary to enable JavaScript. Like computers, modems and routers sometimes get stuck in a bad, slow, overloaded state.

Even if they're not communicating directly with each other, things like a smart TV streaming movies, a camera constantly relaying HD video, and smart speakers playing music, can make everything on the network slow. Freeing up hard drive space can help restore some of your connection speed. In general, the closer your device is to the router, the better the Wi-Fi connection. Question from Kellie L. Leave a review. Author - HSI Staff. Related Posts. A virus is draining your resources. Your computer is slow.

Some software applications, like Windows Update and other software updaters, run background processes that are hidden behind other apps or minimized to the system tray, where they quietly consume network resources. Enter your email address. It could be a problem with your modem or router, Wi-Fi signal, signal strength on your cable line, devices on your network saturating your bandwidth, or even a slow DNS server. Accept Cookies Read our Privacy Policy. Smarthome Office Security Linux. Systematically try bypassing the router, swapping cables, and testing with multiple devices to isolate the slow performance to a specific component of the system. Diagnose and fix the causes of your slow internet connection on your own, before you reach out for potentially expensive tech support. Many games automatically run downloaders that patch the game without additional intervention or approval by you. Narrowing down where the problem lies will help you fix it.

On a Linux computer, use the top command. Good luck! Email me occasional updates on speed and pricing in my area. If you have a DSL connection and experience slowdowns during peak evening-and-weekend periods, it may be that many connected households are using the same access point in your neighborhood. Household appliances and your neighbors' wireless networks can interfere with your computers. If your download speed suddenly seems slow, find out if your favorite game is downloading a few gigabytes of patch files. See how your Internet connection performs without any splitters on the line. Sep 23, By submitting your email, you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

Diagnose and fix the causes of your slow internet connection on your own, before you reach out for potentially expensive tech support. To reboot them, unplug each from their respective power outlets for ten seconds before plugging them back in. Household appliances and your neighbors' wireless networks can interfere with your computers. A bad Wi-Fi connection can seem like an Internet connection problem, especially since it can affect all the devices in your home. However, you can also see if your router has a Quality of Service QoS feature , which will allow your router to automatically manage and assign how much bandwidth different devices and services receive. By using Lifewire, you accept our. The former gets a lot of coverage, but you may not have heard of the latter. Your other option? Internet speed ultimately depends on the service provider. There are many reasons your Internet connection might appear slow.

If you want a surefire way to improve your connection, surpass Wi-Fi altogether and plug your computer directly into your modem. Street Address. These troubleshooting steps will help you pin down the cause. If you found this post useful, would you mind helping me out by sharing it? If your modem is properly outfitted for your Internet capacity, the issue may be the router. It's easy to forget that things like these are running. Would you like to ask Rick a tech question? A virus is draining your resources. Good luck!

If you do have splitters on your cable line, try disconnecting them to troubleshoot your Internet connection. Does the slowness just happen on one computer, or all your devices? ISPs may also intentionally install filters or controls on the network that lower your network performance. The Best Tech Newsletter Anywhere Join , subscribers and get a daily digest of news, geek trivia, and our feature articles. If your speed test confirms your internet is slow, you should try connecting to multiple websites and using multiple devices in your home if your Internet connection is slow. Would you like to ask Rick a tech question? This blog uses cookies to ensure that you receive the best experience on my website. If you want a surefire way to improve your connection, surpass Wi-Fi altogether and plug your computer directly into your modem. How-To Geek is where you turn when you want experts to explain technology. Post Review.

Lifewire uses cookies to provide you with a great user experience. To reboot them, unplug each from their respective power outlets for ten seconds before plugging them back in. Thanks a bunch! Jan 12, Share Brand Guides. By using Lifewire, you accept our. Test the Internet with another device, like a smartphone or tablet. Bonus tip 2: Want to make sure you never miss one of my tips? Instead, that amount will be shared between those devices. Broadband router configuration errors, wireless interference, or any of several other technical problems adversely affect the speed and stability of your internet connection.

Author - HSI Staff. A large number of splitters could cause a problem, too. Many games automatically run downloaders that patch the game without additional intervention or approval by you. It could be a problem with your modem or router, Wi-Fi signal, signal strength on your cable line, devices on your network saturating your bandwidth, or even a slow DNS server. Then, connect the same computer to the wired network and note any changes in performance. Check if your speed improves after the reboots. Here are the instructions how to enable JavaScript in your web browser. Tweet Share Email. Close down any video streaming sites and stop any downloads that could be slowing your Internet speed.

In general, the closer your device is to the router, the better the Wi-Fi connection. A bad Wi-Fi connection can seem like an Internet connection problem, especially since it can affect all the devices in your home. By submitting your email, you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. If you do have splitters on your cable line, try disconnecting them to troubleshoot your Internet connection. Latency and ping rate can be affected by a number of factors — from network throttling to congestion. If the cable allows for a better connection, then the problem could lie in the wireless connection. This is a particularly common problem in denser urban areas—for example, if you live in an apartment complex with neighbors who have a bunch of wireless routers and other devices. Your Internet connection is shared by all the devices in your home, so other devices on your network could be saturating your Internet connection, slowing things down for everyone else. Then, decide if it can be upgraded, repaired, or replaced.

It may take a few minutes for your modem to reconnect to your Internet service provider and bring your Internet connection online, so be patient. Install an extension like AdBlock Plus to stop the bandwidth-sucking ads that interfere with your connection. The Best Tech Newsletter Anywhere Join , subscribers and get a daily digest of news, geek trivia, and our feature articles. Stop or slow down some of those other downloads to speed things up. Your other option? Diagnose and fix the causes of your slow internet connection on your own, before you reach out for potentially expensive tech support. If you have cable Internet and you have coaxial cable splitters on the line going to your cable modem, these could be degrading your signal strength and leading to slower Internet connection. Here are the instructions how to enable JavaScript in your web browser.

For example, it can automatically throttle BitTorrent bandwidth to avoid slowing down Netflix streams. In some cases, switching DNS servers can help speed up your apparent connection speed if your default Internet service provider DNS servers are slow. You can measure your latency by entering a ping command into your command prompt. If your download speed suddenly seems slow, find out if your favorite game is downloading a few gigabytes of patch files. Windows Mac iPhone Android. Don't worry, this sounds complicated but it's just a simple browser setting. If you get decent throughput on a speed test but your computer's connection still seems slow, the problem may reside in your computer e. Thanks for your help!

Then, connect the same computer to the wired network and note any changes in performance. Skip to content. Thanks for your help! Many games automatically run downloaders that patch the game without additional intervention or approval by you. Enter your email address. If your speed test confirms your internet is slow, you should try connecting to multiple websites and using multiple devices in your home if your Internet connection is slow. There are some caveats here. You can measure your latency by entering a ping command into your command prompt. Click here to be notified of new tips by email! Household appliances and your neighbors' wireless networks can interfere with your computers.

A device that is close to a router, but blocked by a barrier, may not successfully connect. Enter a provider. If your speed test confirms your internet is slow, you should try connecting to multiple websites and using multiple devices in your home if your Internet connection is slow. Check if your speed improves after the reboots. If you do have splitters on your cable line, try disconnecting them to troubleshoot your Internet connection. In general, the closer your device is to the router, the better the Wi-Fi connection. You can measure your latency by entering a ping command into your command prompt. These troubleshooting steps will help you pin down the cause. When routers, modems , or cables malfunction, they don't properly support network traffic at full speeds.

Speeds may also be slower at busier times of the day, when everyone in your neighborhood is using the Internet connection, than at off hours when many people are sleeping or at work. Internet speed ultimately depends on the service provider. It's easy to forget that things like these are running. You can do that by either turning the other devices off, temporarily disconnecting them from the network or placing them in Airplane Mode. Record any changes you make to the router's configuration so you can undo them later if necessary. This blog uses cookies to ensure that you receive the best experience on my website. Then, connect the same computer to the wired network and note any changes in performance. If the cable allows for a better connection, then the problem could lie in the wireless connection. Question from Kellie L.

Related Posts. Some software applications, like Windows Update and other software updaters, run background processes that are hidden behind other apps or minimized to the system tray, where they quietly consume network resources. Smarthome Office Security Linux. A device that is close to a router, but blocked by a barrier, may not successfully connect. Accept Cookies Read our Privacy Policy. Post Review. If you do have splitters on your cable line, try disconnecting them to troubleshoot your Internet connection. In this case, you should call your Internet service provider and report the problem. There are quite a few reasons you may have a bad Wi-Fi signal.

Then, decide if it can be upgraded, repaired, or replaced. If your download speed suddenly seems slow, find out if your favorite game is downloading a few gigabytes of patch files. The router connects to the modem, which is connected to the cable coming out of the wall. Just like cellphone reception can be spotty, Wi-Fi reception can be spotty, too. This problem can be fixed with a reboot. There are quite a few reasons you may have a bad Wi-Fi signal. Click here to check out the Newsletter archives. The Best Tech Newsletter Anywhere Join , subscribers and get a daily digest of news, geek trivia, and our feature articles.

Latency and ping rate can be affected by a number of factors — from network throttling to congestion. Your computer is slow. You can measure your latency by entering a ping command into your command prompt. Author - HSI Staff. These troubleshooting steps will help you pin down the cause. This problem can be fixed with a reboot. These tests reveal whether your local computer's outbound connection is impaired. See how your Internet connection performs without any splitters on the line.

These tests reveal whether your local computer's outbound connection is impaired. Certain technical glitches in network equipment negatively affect performance even though connections can still be made. Network latency is high. The Best Tech Newsletter Anywhere. In some cases, switching DNS servers can help speed up your apparent connection speed if your default Internet service provider DNS servers are slow. Windows Mac iPhone Android. Your modem has to be built to handle the Internet plan you want. A virus is draining your resources. Many games automatically run downloaders that patch the game without additional intervention or approval by you. A bad Wi-Fi connection can seem like an Internet connection problem, especially since it can affect all the devices in your home.

Thanks a bunch! If you have a larger home or yard and need better Wi-FI coverage, consider getting a mesh Wi-Fi system that provides multiple base stations you can place around your home or property. Your modem has to be built to handle the Internet plan you want. Test the Internet with another device, like a smartphone or tablet. Picking the Cheapest Internet Package from Xfinity. In this case, you should call your Internet service provider and report the problem. For example, improperly setting the MTU of a router leads to performance problems if it's set too high or too low. Instead, that amount will be shared between those devices. For example, it can automatically throttle BitTorrent bandwidth to avoid slowing down Netflix streams.

A bad Wi-Fi connection can seem like an Internet connection problem, especially since it can affect all the devices in your home. On a Mac, open the Activity Monitor. Leave a review. As the centerpiece of a network, a broadband router can be responsible for slow internet connections if it is configured improperly. Speeds may also be slower at busier times of the day, when everyone in your neighborhood is using the Internet connection, than at off hours when many people are sleeping or at work. To check relative resource utilization to determine whether another component is affecting network performance in Windows 10, right-click the Start button, select Task Manager , and choose Performance. Speed tests may sometimes appear rather high, as some Internet service providers may prioritize them and they may have servers very close to you. However, you can also see if your router has a Quality of Service QoS feature , which will allow your router to automatically manage and assign how much bandwidth different devices and services receive. By using Lifewire, you accept our. Record any changes you make to the router's configuration so you can undo them later if necessary.

Don't worry, this sounds complicated but it's just a simple browser setting. To check relative resource utilization to determine whether another component is affecting network performance in Windows 10, right-click the Start button, select Task Manager , and choose Performance. A large number of splitters could cause a problem, too. Test the Internet with another device, like a smartphone or tablet. Please click 'Accept Cookies' to continue. It may take a few minutes for your modem to reconnect to your Internet service provider and bring your Internet connection online, so be patient. Author - HSI Staff. Unlike worms, these applications are designed to do useful work and should not be removed from the device. If you do have splitters on your cable line, try disconnecting them to troubleshoot your Internet connection. Stop or slow down some of those other downloads to speed things up.

Thanks for your help! To reboot them, unplug each from their respective power outlets for ten seconds before plugging them back in. Just like cellphone reception can be spotty, Wi-Fi reception can be spotty, too. Your modem has to be built to handle the Internet plan you want. Enter a provider. Good luck! Instead of moving the router, you could opt for a mesh network setup or a signal repeater. Certain technical glitches in network equipment negatively affect performance even though connections can still be made. A large number of splitters could cause a problem, too.

Then, decide if it can be upgraded, repaired, or replaced. Reposition your router for better performance and change your Wi-Fi channel number. It's easy to forget that things like these are running. You may just have to reboot the computer, or you may need to perform a malware scan with your preferred antivirus to check that everything is fine. By submitting your email, you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. That Mbps is then divided up among all the computers and devices that happen to be using your Internet connection at any given time. Many games automatically run downloaders that patch the game without additional intervention or approval by you. By using Lifewire, you accept our.

Good luck! Stop or slow down some of those other downloads to speed things up. To reboot them, unplug each from their respective power outlets for ten seconds before plugging them back in. However, you can also see if your router has a Quality of Service QoS feature , which will allow your router to automatically manage and assign how much bandwidth different devices and services receive. Close down any video streaming sites and stop any downloads that could be slowing your Internet speed. There are many reasons your Internet connection might appear slow. There are quite a few reasons you may have a bad Wi-Fi signal. This is a particularly common problem in denser urban areas—for example, if you live in an apartment complex with neighbors who have a bunch of wireless routers and other devices. If this is a particularly frequent problem, you may have to upgrade your internet package.

If you have cable Internet and you have coaxial cable splitters on the line going to your cable modem, these could be degrading your signal strength and leading to slower Internet connection. These troubleshooting steps will help you pin down the cause. The router connects to the modem, which is connected to the cable coming out of the wall. Like computers, modems and routers sometimes get stuck in a bad, slow, overloaded state. How-To Geek is where you turn when you want experts to explain technology. On a Linux computer, use the top command. Your modem has to be built to handle the Internet plan you want. Instead of moving the router, you could opt for a mesh network setup or a signal repeater.

Instead, that amount will be shared between those devices. Question from Kellie L. Then, connect the same computer to the wired network and note any changes in performance. Latency and ping rate can be affected by a number of factors — from network throttling to congestion. However, you can also see if your router has a Quality of Service QoS feature , which will allow your router to automatically manage and assign how much bandwidth different devices and services receive. If your modem is properly outfitted for your Internet capacity, the issue may be the router. A large number of splitters could cause a problem, too. The router connects to the modem, which is connected to the cable coming out of the wall. Diagnose and fix the causes of your slow internet connection on your own, before you reach out for potentially expensive tech support.

This blog uses cookies to ensure that you receive the best experience on my website. ISPs may also intentionally install filters or controls on the network that lower your network performance. If your speed test confirms your internet is slow, you should try connecting to multiple websites and using multiple devices in your home if your Internet connection is slow. Your other option? Click here to check out the Newsletter archives. I should have mentioned that in the post about SpeedTest. Join , subscribers and get a daily digest of news, geek trivia, and our feature articles. You can do that by either turning the other devices off, temporarily disconnecting them from the network or placing them in Airplane Mode.

Your Internet connection is shared by all the devices in your home, so other devices on your network could be saturating your Internet connection, slowing things down for everyone else. Record any changes you make to the router's configuration so you can undo them later if necessary. If you found this post useful, would you mind helping me out by sharing it? A large number of splitters could cause a problem, too. There are some caveats here. There are quite a few reasons you may have a bad Wi-Fi signal. Does the slowness just happen on one computer, or all your devices? Picking the Cheapest Internet Package from Xfinity. The former gets a lot of coverage, but you may not have heard of the latter.

Freeing up hard drive space can help restore some of your connection speed. Accept Cookies Read our Privacy Policy. Diagnose and fix the causes of your slow internet connection on your own, before you reach out for potentially expensive tech support. Certain technical glitches in network equipment negatively affect performance even though connections can still be made. Internet performance is based on two things: bandwidth and latency. Your modem has to be built to handle the Internet plan you want. It's easy to forget that things like these are running. There are many reasons your Internet connection might appear slow.