If you’re having internet problems, it can be frustrating to figure out what’s causing the issue. Is it something wrong with your hardware? Your ISP? Your neighbor who always downloads massive files at 3 am?
Fortunately, there’s an easy way to find out: simply look at the factors known to impact internet speed and eliminate them one by one until you find and fix the problem area. Here’s how:
Your internet service provider
Your Internet service provider (ISP) is the company that provides you with your internet. They’re the ones who provide a cable connection, phone line, and wireless hotspot. Your ISP can be a cable company or an internet provider. This means they offer both internet services and connections in one package.
If you’re looking for the best possible speeds when browsing websites and streaming videos online, choosing an ISP with fast service in your area is important. If you have a wired modem and want to change it to a wireless modem, you can talk to your ISP, buy online, or in the nearest tech store.
When choosing an ISP for yourself or your family members who live at home with you, think about how much bandwidth is available from each company to ensure nobody will be left behind during peak hours of usage.
Your wireless signal strength
Your internet speed will be affected by your router’s signal strength. To maximize your wireless signal strength, follow these tips:
- Make sure your router is in the best position. For example, if you’re using a modem-router combo, try placing it higher up and away from other electronics that may interfere with its signal.
- Make sure there are no dead spots in your home.
- Check that there aren’t any obstacles between your computer and router—like walls or large pieces of furniture— that might block the connection between them.
- Keep the distance between devices small enough not to require more than one strong bar on their wifi bars. This will help ensure fast speeds without having an overloaded network due to many users.
Your network hardware and cabling setup
Your router can be a bottleneck if it’s not properly configured. Make sure that:
- You have the right settings. While you can use Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS) to connect new devices, your current configuration may be more secure. If so, try switching back to a manual configuration.
- Your router is not overloaded with traffic, especially if you have multiple devices on the network that are using bandwidth-intensive applications like gaming or video streaming.
- The placement of your router matters: It’s best to put it in an open area free from interference or excessive heat.
Other users
Other users on your network can slow down your internet speed. This is especially true if you have a lot of family members or friends who are all using the internet at once. If this is the problem, try changing the wifi channel on your router to get better wireless performance.
How often you restart your router
You should know that it is important to restart your router regularly. Like with any other device, when you leave your router on for a long time without turning it off or restarting it, the memory can become corrupted or slow down your internet speed. So to be safe, we recommend restarting your router every 2-3 months.
Conclusion
All in all, try to ensure your internet is working as best as possible. Then, after analyzing the unique factors that affect your internet speed, you can optimize them and increase them if needed.
Author’s Bio:
Rosette has a knack for anything DIY, but not only that, she also knows a lot about manly chores and tech stuff as she spent her younger years immersed in books about tools and technology. She makes it a point to write about the things she’s most passionate about during her free days.
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