How to Fix a Slow Internet Connection
Introduction
Having a slow internet connection can be frustrating. We are used to our devices responding quickly and efficiently to most operations. Whether websites you are visiting are loading slowly, downloads are taking forever, or streaming video and video calls keep pausing or buffering, you can perform some basic troubleshooting steps that may help resolve those problems. This guide will show you how.
1 Power cycle
If you haven't already, please try power cycling the device you're working with.
- Turn off your device.
- Wait ten seconds.
- Turn your device on again.
? Is the issue resolved after rebooting the device?
Having a slow internet connection can be frustrating. We are used to our devices responding quickly and efficiently to most operations. Whether websites you are visiting are loading slowly, downloads are taking forever, or streaming video and video calls keep pausing or buffering, you can perform some basic troubleshooting steps that may help resolve those problems. This guide will show you how.
If you haven't already, please try power cycling the device you're working with.
- Turn off your device.
- Wait ten seconds.
- Turn your device on again.
- Remove the power cable from both your modem and router.
- Verify all lights are off on the modem and router.
- After 30 seconds, plug in your modem and then your router.
- It may take a few minutes for the internet to reconnect.
A busy network can affect connectivity. If other people or unattended devices on your network are streaming video or audio, downloading content, heavily using the internet while you are trying to use it at the same time, your device may have trouble establishing a connection, maintaining a stable connection or may just have slow network performance.
To reduce network usage you may want to turn off or disconnect from the network any devices that may be heavily using up the network.
Check if other devices on the same network are having the same connectivity issue. This applies to situations when:
- You are unable to connect to a Wi-Fi network:
- Try connecting to the same Wi-Fi network with other devices.
- You have no internet access or you have slow or intermittent connectivity:
- Try loading webpages, watching online videos, listening to online music or playing an online game with other devices connected to the same network, preferably through an Ethernet connection.
Devices can be connected to a network in two ways:
Wired, using an Ethernet cable.
Wirelessly, using Wi-Fi.
Make sure your device is properly connected to the router with the Ethernet cable by trying the following:
- Unplug it and plug it back in firmly or plug it into another available numbered LAN port on the router.
- Alternatively, you can replace the Ethernet cable, if you have a spare.
The device needs to be within a reasonable range of the router in order to connect and have the best connection speeds.
- In general, in most homes, you can be up to 30 feet from your router for a decent connection.
- From 30' to 50' away, the speeds will be slower, and may drop occasionally, but it should be usable.
- Greater than 50' away, and the signal will most likely be too weak to overcome interference. The speeds will be slow, and the connection may be sporadic.
The above numbers are approximates only. Optimal range may vary based on router make and model.
Wireless signal interference can cause performance issues such as slow or intermittent connections and even complete disconnects. This type of interference can be caused by the presence of:
- Electromagnetic fields created by other electronic devices such as: Wi-Fi or Bluetooth capable devices, cordless phones, baby monitors, remote controlled toys, microwave ovens, seasonal lighting, or even garage door openers.
- Structural materials in walls, floors, furnishings or other large objects. The potential for structural materials in your home to absorb wireless signal and cause signal loss or undesirable behavior is as follows:
Interference Potential Type of Material Low Synthetic material, wood, glass Medium Brick, marble, water High Concrete, plaster Very High Metal
To reduce wireless signal interference caused by other electronic devices:
- Turn off temporarily any of the above devices and check if the issue persists.
- If it does, consider moving the affected device or any of the other devices further from the affected device.
- Alternately, if possible, you can select different wireless channels in the devices' configuration. Consult the devices' manufacturers documentation for details on how to make those changes.
To reduce wireless signal interference caused by other objects or structures:
- Move the affected device or any obstacles if possible and check if the issue persists.
- If the device is in a cabinet or closet, consider taking it out.
An Ethernet cable can come in many colors and lengths. The end is larger than a phone cable; and has eight small contacts on the bottom, with a clip on the top to make sure it stays locked into the port.
An Ethernet port will be on the side or back of your device, and sometimes has lights on the left and right, used to show traffic and link conditions. It is larger than a phone jack.- Acquire an Ethernet cable.
- Take one end of the cable and plug it into your router or modem Ethernet port.
- Plug the other end of the cable into your devices Ethernet port.
Your router may need to be relocated to a more centralized location in order to provide better coverage for all your devices.
Good Placement
Bad Placement
An Ethernet cable can come in many colors and lengths. The end is larger than a phone cable; and has eight small contacts on the bottom, with a clip on the top to make sure it stays locked into the port.An Ethernet port will be on the side or back of your device, and sometimes has lights on the left and right, used to show traffic and link conditions. It is larger than a phone jack.- Acquire an Ethernet cable.
- Take one end of the cable and plug it into your router or modem Ethernet port.
- Plug the other end of the cable into your devices Ethernet port.