How to fix slow internet

The Internet has become such an integral part of our lives that many users can’t think of living without it. However, like other technologies, the Internet can be unstable.

If you're having trouble with slow Internet, there are several steps you can take to improve your connection. These options are very easy to do, so let’s begin.

Howly specialists are good at solving technical issues. We are ready to help 24/7. We instantly provide you with the fixes and robust solutions. Read this article to learn how to fix your Internet connection instantly.

Slow Internet: causes and solutions

Nowadays, a stable high-speed Internet connection is a must; slow Internet speed is frustrating.

Nevertheless, numerous reasons can affect your Internet connection and slow its speed. For example, they include outdated equipment, a lack of available bandwidth, interference from other devices., etc.

This guide overlooks various troubleshooting methods that will help you identify and fix the cause of your slow Internet connection.

Measure the speed of your Internet connection

Before moving on to solving the problem, do a test check of your actual Internet connection speed. It will show how effective it is and whether an Internet provider fulfills the terms of the Internet subscription plan.

To do the test, you can use specialized applications or websites. Use whichever is comfortable for you.

Before running the test, stop any data downloads, updates, video streaming, or other demanding Internet activities. It will ensure reliable results.

Then compare your speed results with the expected speed of the Internet connection you are paying for. Look for it in the contract or invoices. Additionally, this information is present when logging in your account on the Internet provider’s website.

However, some speed ​​tests show high rates, while you can’t enter the simplest websites in practice. In happens because the ISPs have servers located very close to you.

In contrast, if the rates are lower than your tariff plan rates, it is a usual situation. Usually, all tariffs indicate the condition “up to” a certain speed, and you do not always get the exact speed due to various reasons, in particular weather conditions, traffic peaks, etc. If your actual Internet speed, in fact, corresponds to the chosen tariff plan, you may contact the Internet provider and ask to upgrade your plan with faster Internet. In other cases, proceed to the troubleshooting section below.

How to fix your slow Internet connection

The first thing you need to do is to narrow down the range of slow Internet connection problems by checking through websites and additional devices.

Navigate your browser to different websites. If as a result, you see that only one website loads slowly, then this is probably a problem with the website itself, and not your Internet connection. In fact, there is nothing you can do about it except wait.

Furthermore, test the Internet on several devices in your home. If slow Internet affects only one computer, concentrate on that computer.  Restart it, and run a full computer scan for malware with your antivirus to eliminate the issue.

If your Internet connection is slowing down on multiple devices – for example, on multiple computers or your personal computer and your phone, then it’s a network issue, and you’ll need to check your router.

Restart your modem and router

Like personal computers, modems and routers can sometimes slow down your Internet connection. This difficulty can be easily fixed with a reboot. If you last rebooted your router or modem a while ago, you should do so now. Press the reset button on it.

Alternatively, unplug the device from the electrical circuit and wait ten seconds (or even five minutes) before plugging it back in. Then check if your speed has improved after the reboot.

Improve your Wi-Fi signal

Your input Internet signal may be fine, but your Wi-Fi network may suffer some problems with the signal. A bad Wi-Fi connection can be an Internet connection issue, since it combines every device in your home into a network. It happens due to various reasons.

Many nearby devices can distort airwaves. This is especially when you are using the 2.4 GHz frequency band rather than 5 GHz with the support of more devices. This is a particularly common issue in dense urban areas. Many neighboring apartments have numerous wireless routers and devices that overload the area.

You may also just have a dead zone, perhaps something is interfering with your Wi-Fi signal, or poor coverage in your home. In both cases, contact your provider to find out how to speed up your Wi-Fi connection and get a stronger signal.

Furthermore, consider setting up a mesh Wi-Fi system, which includes several base stations that greatly expand the Wi-Fi area.

Stop overloading your connection

Nowadays, we have many devices that overload the connection. Therefore, the overall speed slows down. For example, if you are streaming high-definition video on the network online and using another device, each process will slow down. Stop some of them to speed up your Internet connection.

Consider upgrading your Internet plan to a higher-speed package if this problem often occurs. Also, find out if your router has a Quality of Service (QoS) feature, allowing your router to prioritize and throttle the bandwidth of various devices and services.

Check coaxial separators

If you have cable Internet with coaxial cable splitters on the line, make sure they do not reduce the signal strength. Splitters vary in quality, and faulty ones affect the Internet speed. Too many splitters can also cause a problem.

To fix this problem, disable them. Compare now your Internet speed without any splitters on the line. If your Internet connection speed increases significantly, they are the root of the problem.

Try setting up another DNS server

In some cases, changing the DNS Server may increase the connection speed. When you connect to a site, for instance, google, your computer contacts its DNS servers and inquiries its numeric IP address. After a response, it connects to this IP address, for example, 205.58.151.46 and this address.

Typically, DNS servers are provided by your Internet service provider. You can avoid slow or heavy DNS servers by switching to a different set of DNS servers. For example, you can use the Google Public DNS and Open DNS public servers, which are very popular.

For that, do the following:

1. Go to the Google Public DNS website: https://developers.google.com/speed/public-dns/
2. Read the information on the page to learn more about Google Public DNS.
3. Scroll down to the Getting Started section and click on the Configure Your Network Settings link.
4. Follow the instructions to configure your network settings to use Google Public DNS.
5. Once you have configured your network settings, you can begin using Google Public DNS.

Call your provider to report the problem

If you’ve tried all the troubleshooting steps above and didn’t succeed, it’s most likely something severe, including your Internet service provider problems. For example, issues with the cable line from your home to your provider or any other equipment. In this case, you should call your provider and report the problem.

It is their job to ensure that you have that connection. Make sure the problem is on the provider's side rather than with you or your equipment.

Wrapping up

Since the Internet has become an essential part of our everyday life, it is very important to learn how to fix it at night or day. Fortunately, there are some easy steps to diagnose and fix the issue.

The first step to take is to estimate the Internet connection speed. If the connection is weak, restarting the router may help to restore a strong connection. If that doesn't help, the issue may be with the service itself.

In any case, if you face problems with your Internet connection, you may refer to the tech specialists of Howly team. We are here to help, so you will only be bothered by some technical issues.