Working from home is a joy but a slow internet connection can bring your productivity to a screeching halt. However, there are some easy steps you can take yourself to fix the most common issues that reduce internet speeds.
Before we begin it’s always good to have a benchmark.
- Check your internet bill to see what your internet speed should be.
- Connect your computer directly to the modem and disable your wireless to help isolate the problem.
- Go to the website fast.com.
- Make sure you click “Show More info” to also get your upload speed.
- Note your Download and Upload speed. These numbers are almost never the speed you are paying but it should be at least 80% of your plan’s internet speed.
- Use priceline.com and cnn.com to test internet webpage load speed. Those two websites tend to always load under 2 to 3 seconds.
If the internet is working fine after connecting your computer directly to the modem.
- Then the problem is your wireless. Try restarting your computer, internet modem, and wireless access points. Then run an internet speed test while the computer is connected to your wireless network only.
If the internet speed is good, but websites still load slowly.
- Try going to a test site using your internet browser’s inPrivate mode to see if the problem persists. If this resolves the issue, disable all your internet browser extensions and enable them one at a time until the slow internet speed issue resurfaces. Also, try another internet browser.
- Try setting a public DNS server on your computer such as Google DNS (8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4). Then try opening some of the test webpages.
If the internet speed is slow.
- Restart your modem and make sure all the lights go off. Some modems have batteries or UPS devices connected to them that will keep them powered on even after you unplug your modem. Check that the cables connected to your internet modem are nice and tight. If you can gentle tug on the cable and it comes out replace the cable. Replace any damaged cables.
- If browsing the test websites is slow on your phone when connected to your home wireless and the computer is slow connected directly to the modem, then problem is likely an issue with your internet service not your devices. Call your Internet Service Provider to check for problems with their service.
- On the other hand, if the internet speed is fine on your phone but slow on your computer, then problem is likely your computer.
This is not an exhaustive list of everything that could possible slow your internet connection down. However, these are common solutions that the typical person should try before contacting support.
If you still need help troubleshooting your slow internet, give us a call at (888) 304-0124.
