Most homes today use connections faster than 5 Mbps, with some even going up to Mbps and more! However, even after paying for faster connections, our smartphones or Smart TVs sometimes take time to buffer Netflix and YouTube content. Many of us call our ISP to solve these issues, but they are rarely of much help.
We understand a slow internet connection can be annoying. After all, you should be getting what are you paying for, right? In this feature, we will try to find out the possible causes and how you can fix it.
If you are facing frequent connection slowdown, it might be a problem with your ISP or your Wi-Fi router. You can identify the culprit by testing your internet connection using apps such as Speedtest by Ookla or Fast by Netflix on your mobile, tablet or laptop. We recommend running these tests on a PC or a laptop , connected to your router using a LAN cable too. Compare the results with your opted internet plan. Here are six of the most common speed-slowing culprits—and how to handle them: 1.
Out-of-date devices Is your connection slow—or are your devices? Too many applications As more and more business applications have moved to the cloud, the amount of bandwidth required has increased as well.
Blocked WiFi signals Obstructions between the WiFi router and the connected device—such as elevators, cubicle walls and even metal furniture—will degrade the signal. Browser bottleneck Your browser could have add-ons and plug-in features that are consuming bandwidth.
Host server hangups One of most common causes of slow speed on the internet is the host server, which hosts websites, files, images, games and applications. Bandwidth blues If you implement all these tips and your internet speed has not caught up with the pace of your business, consider upgrading your internet service plan.
After running the speed test, which statement best describes your situation? Click below to see solutions. If your internet is dropping or you are frequently getting slower internet connection speeds than you expect, then there may be a problem with the network connection at your address. There are two things you can do:.
If you're testing close to your plan speed, but still struggle with lag times and other symptoms of low bandwidth, you may simply need faster service. In this case, you have two options:. Upgrade your service. Check to see if you can upgrade to a faster internet plan. Log in to My CenturyLink online or through the app and check My Products to see whether a speed upgrade is available at your address.
Add a second line. A popular option is to double your speed by adding a second internet line to your home. This is a great solution when you've optimized your connection and a higher speed service isn't available in your area. Look into rural internet options. Rural areas often get slower speeds than urban centers. If you live in a rural area, read more about using wireless internet through an antenna to improve performance. Back to top. Related topics from our Discover blog.
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Cancel Continue. Support Center Internet Troubleshoot slow internet. Why is my internet connection slow? Adjust your router position You might be surprised by how much your internet speed can be impacted by where your router sits. Look out for any of these things standing between your router and your connected devices: Brick or concrete walls or floors Thick, heavy doors or windows Large containers of water such as fish tanks Large metal appliances especially refrigerators Do your best to move the router or move other items so that these things are not blocking the path between your router and your devices.
Reboot your router Routers can get bogged down after running for a while. How rebooting your router helps your WiFi. Check for firmware updates Next, check to see if you need to update your modem's firmware.
Are you a Fiber customer? Check the router requirements. First, use the fastest modem you can. The fastest modem you can use will send and receive information at a rate of 56 kilobits per second Kbps. You won't get a full 56 Kbps speed most of the time, but with a good phone line, you should approach at least Kbps.
Second, make sure that your phone line is in good condition. If the telephone wiring in your home or business is old or deteriorating, you might be picking up stray signals or cross talk from other phone lines. These problems will slow your Internet connection because the modem will have to send the same information over and over until it's transmitted without interruption. Check your telephone wires to be sure they aren't damaged, frayed, or twisted around power or other telephone cables.
If you notice crackling in your phones, you might want to contact your phone provider to have them check the lines inside and outside your home to make sure they are in good condition. Wireless networks operate on frequencies that are similar to those used by other devices, such as microwave ovens or cordless phones.
Operating a 2. If you want to make phone calls while surfing the web, either use a wired telephone or a cordless phone that operates at a different frequency than your wireless network.
Proximity to the wireless access point or router, as well as physical obstructions, can affect the quality of your Internet connection. To improve your connection speed, move closer to the access point and make sure that there are no physical obstructions between the access point and your computer.
The health of your computer can affect your Internet connection. Spyware and viruses can definitely cause problems, but your Internet connection speed can also be affected by add-on programs, the amount of memory the computer has, hard disk space and condition, and the programs that are running.
Two of the most frequent causes of poor Internet performance are spyware and viruses. Spyware can slow your system by interfering with your browser and monopolizing your Internet connection.
Spyware monitors your Internet use and keystrokes, which adds delays. The problem is compounded when there are multiple spyware programs running at the same time. If the problem is severe enough, you can lose connectivity altogether. To get your Internet performance back, you should regularly run an antispyware program to clean out any spyware infestation. Computer viruses can also cause poor Internet performance.
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