How Can I Make My Internet Faster?

Measured in megabits per second (Mbps), internet speed defines how quickly data is transferred from the web to your device and vice versa. There are several reasons for slow internet, including:

• Internet service provider (ISP). Different ISPs offer various plans with distinct speed tiers, so it is important to select a plan that meets your particular needs.
• Modem and router quality. High-quality modems ensure compatibility with your ISP and support the maximum speeds offered by your plan while a reliable router can efficiently manage multiple devices, reduce interference and extend Wi-Fi coverage throughout your home.
• Type of internet connection you have. Depending on your location and setup, the type of internet connection (DSL, cable, fiber optic) can significantly impact internet speed and performance.
• Number of connected devices. A lot of devices using the same network can slow down your internet speed, especially when they are performing data-intensive tasks.
• Distance and obstacles. Along with physical obstacles like walls and furniture, the distance between your device and the router (or modem and router combo) can weaken Wi-Fi signals.

Improving your internet speed can involve a combination of simple troubleshooting techniques and more technical adjustments. Here are several strategies to help you get faster internet speeds:

• Reboot your modem and router. Sometimes, a simple restart can resolve many connectivity issues and improve Wi-Fi speed.
• Upgrade your equipment. Doublecheck that your modem and router are up-to-date and capable of handling the speeds offered by your ISP and make sure to position them in a central, elevated location for better signal distribution.
• Optimize your Wi-Fi. Keep your router away from other electronic devices and large metal objects, and, use the 6GHz or 5GHz band for less interference and the 2.4GHz band for better range.
• Disconnect devices that aren’t in use. Each device connected to your network, whether it's a smartphone, computer, tablet or smart TV, consumes a portion of your available bandwidth.
• Update firmware and software. Updates can improve performance and security with your router and your connected devices.
• Check for viruses and malware. Run regular antivirus scans to ensure your devices are not infected with malware, which can slow down your internet speed.

Another option is to look into Mesh Wi-Fi vs. Wi-Fi extender. Mesh Wi-Fi systems use multiple interconnected routers to provide strong and consistent coverage throughout your entire home. Wi-Fi extenders, on the other hand, work by receiving the existing Wi-Fi signal from your main router and rebroadcasting it to areas with weak coverage.

If you want to know how to test your internet speed, there are several online tools and techniques you can use to measure your connection’s performance. Here are a few methods for testing Wi-Fi speed:

• Check out an internet speed test website. There are multiple online speed test websites, many of which are offered by ISPs with their own speed testing tools that can check your download speeds and upload speeds.
• Mobile apps. You can download a speed test app on your smartphone to test your Wi-Fi or mobile data speed directly from your device.
• Router’s built-in tools. Some routers and modem-router combos have built-in speed testing features that are accessible through their web interface.

When checking your internet speed, good download and upload speeds depend on how many people are using your network at once and what they are using the internet for. For general use with a low number of users, 100 Mbps download speeds and 10 Mbps upload speeds should suffice. However, for online gaming, 4K streaming and other high-demanding tasks, 300 – 500 Mbps download speeds and 20 – 50 Mbps upload speeds are typically recommended.