Does your YouTube video keep rebuffering or will your selfie not upload to your favorite social media network? If this is usual, these are signs that something is affecting your internet speeds. Here are five possible reasons why your internet is slow and how to fix them.
1. Your Router is on Its Way Out
Slow internet speeds and an intermittent connection are some of the first signs that your router is on its way out. Like many other household devices, routers have a shelf life. You can reasonably expect about three to four years out of your router. Even if your router still appears to be working past that, it may not be working up to its optimal performance for a myriad of reasons like your router is just too old or you haven’t updated your firmware in a long time. You can try resetting your router and updating its firmware.
If the slow speeds or intermittent connection problem still persists, it may be time to update your router. Before purchasing a new one, we recommend you contact your internet service provider, they may offer a good deal on one or can steer you in the best direction for the best one for your setup.
2. You’re Too Far Away From Your Router
If your Wi-Fi works great when you are nearby your router, but not in other areas of your home; you could be out of range. Think of it this way: the further you are from your router, the weaker the Wi-Fi signal gets, therefore the slower your Wi-Fi speeds will be.
This is why serious gamers and streamers prefer to keep their computers and gaming consoles hardwired into their network. This way, there’s no speed loss. If your device has an Ethernet port, plugging your internet directly into your device is the easiest and best way to get the full internet speeds you pay for.
If you’re using a mobile device, then this won’t be an option and therefore the best option will be to move your router to a more centralized location. Even just moving your router out of a closet or off your floor can make a difference with less interference from your walls and floor.
3. You Need A Faster Internet Plan
If slow internet isn’t a new problem, it could be that you’re simply paying for slow internet and need a high-speed internet plan. First, run a speed test from a hardwired connection. If the results of the test match what you’ve been paying for, you need faster internet. It’s easy to upgrade to a better plan, just call your internet provider and ask for the next step up. If there isn’t one, search for all the internet providers available at your address and look for one with faster internet plans.
4. Your Router Is Too Close To Known Devices That Cause Interference
Household items like cordless phones (if you still have them), microwaves, baby monitors, wireless controllers and even older Bluetooth devices can cause interference and noticeably slow your Wi-Fi speeds. Devices like these run on the same frequency as your standard 2.4 GHz WiFi band. Having many devices running on the same frequency simultaneously can cause your internet speeds for your whole network to slow down.
To remedy this, you can start by unplugging each one individually and test your internet. If your internet speeds vastly improve with a particular device unplugged, it’s likely that is the culprit to your slow internet. You have two options from there; move the device further away from your router or if that is not possible, you can move your internet enabled devices to your 5 GHz band.
5. Your Wireless Network Isn’t Password Protected
Leaving your Wi-Fi password free is like leaving your Wi-Fi open for your whole neighborhood to use. It doesn’t sound like a very big deal, but can be like the equivalent of keeping your home unlocked with a sign in your yard saying come on in. Sure some freeloaders could be harmless, but all it takes is one power user to slow down your network for the whole house.
While keeping a password on your Wi-Fi seems like a pain, it’s best to have one to protect your network from unknown users.