Why Is My Internet So Slow

Slow internet is one of the most frustrating things that can happen when you're trying to work from home or you simply want to relax with a good Netflix movie. If your internet being slow seems to be a common reoccurrence, you might be asking yourself; why is my internet so slow? Unfortunately there are so many different things that can make your internet move at a crawl. To help you in your time of need we’ve gathered the most common internet problems people experience, their solutions and what you can do when nothing seems to be working here. No matter your provider, whether it be HughesNet, Version, 4G rural Internet, AT&T, Frontier, or anyone else, the list below will surely help you!
Step 1: Troubleshoot Your Internet
Troubleshooting your internet can be a lengthy process, but it's an essential step in fixing your internet problems. Before picking up the phone to call your internet provider, you should assess your situation on your own first. Your internet provider will want to know things like the following:
● Are other devices in your home experiencing the same problems?
● What steps have you taken to troubleshoot your internet on your own?
● Are you using your own equipment or their provided equipment?
● What times of day do you experience slow internet or none at all?
● How long have you been experiencing these problems?
You can troubleshoot your internet by yourself that doesn’t take a technical expert to figure out. However, if you’re not familiar with how your internet works, it’s okay to seek help.
Common Internet Problems With Possible Fixes
Sometimes the solution to your internet problems are an easy fix you can do on your own. If you’re not really sure where to start, here are the most common internet problems with possible fixes.
Problem |
Diagnosis |
Possible Fix
|
Movies are buffering
|
Your download speeds are too low for continuous video streaming |
Lower your streaming video resolution |
Video games lag
|
You don’t have enough bandwidth to go around |
Upgrade to fiber internet or utilize QoS settings on your router |
Internet is always slow
|
Your download speeds are too low |
Upgrade your internet plan with faster download speeds |
Internet speeds slow to a halt at the end of the month |
You used your data for the current billing cycle early |
Upgrade to an internet plan with higher data caps or no data caps at all
|
Internet speeds slow down at night
|
Your network is congested from primetime traffic |
Upgrade to fiber internet or utilize QoS settings on your router |
Intermittent internet connection |
Electronic or physical interference |
Relocate your router away from microwaves, baby monitors, and home phones
|
No Wi-Fi |
Internet outage or faulty equipment |
Call your internet provider for an update or replace equipment
|
Wi-Fi doesn't work in some rooms
|
Weak Wi-Fi signal or small coverage area |
Relocate your router away from known household Wi-Fi blockers or upgrade to a mesh system |
Part of your troubleshooting process is to conduct an internet speed test. It's the easiest and best way to see if you're getting the internet speeds you're paying for. Sometimes your internet problems can be from a faulty router or they are equipment related. If you suspect your router isn't doing its job properly, run your internet speed test directly from the Ethernet cable to your computer to bypass your router first.
Call Your Internet Provider
If you’re still stumped to why your internet is so slow, the next step is to call your internet provider. They will want to do their own troubleshooting with you while you’re on the phone with them before sending out one of their technicians to assess the situation. Some of the steps they’ll ask you to do, you might have already done on your own, but it is important to be patient If technical support can’t figure out what the problem is or the problem is something that cannot be fixed over the phone, your internet provider will send a technician to your home on the next available convenient date for you both. Technicians usually start troubleshooting from the inside of your home and work their way out to the pole. There can be many things wrong that you won’t be able to fix on your own like faulty cabling and outdoor fixtures. If they’re sending out a technician to your home, it’s very likely that your issue is deeper than anything going on within your home.
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