Is Your Internet as Fast as It Should Be? Here’s How to Find Out and Fix Lagging Speeds

Accessing high-speed internet can be a significant expense. Research from FASTNET indicates that the typical monthly internet bill averages around $78. This cost can feel particularly burdensome when your actual internet speeds don’t align with advertised rates. While your internet service provider may be delivering the promised bandwidth to your residence, various elements could be impeding your internet performance. Ensuring optimal internet speed is crucial for seamless online activities.

Before considering an upgrade to a faster service plan or purchasing new network hardware, it’s wise to revisit fundamental troubleshooting steps. After confirming that your ISP isn’t intentionally limiting your internet connection, actions like restarting your modem and router or considering wireless range extenders or a mesh network system might prove beneficial.

However, prior to making any long-term decisions, initiate with a straightforward speed test to ascertain your current network capabilities. Continue reading for actionable advice to enhance your internet connection.

Understanding Download and Upload Speeds

Your ISP likely mentions these terms, but their meaning might be unclear. In essence, these measurements quantify the rate at which data is transmitted to and from your devices via the internet. Speeds are measured in megabits per second (Mbps).

Download speed assesses how rapidly you receive data from the internet, also known as “downstream” speed. Activities such as streaming video content, browsing social media, or listening to music online all rely on sufficient download speeds.

ISPs usually emphasize download speeds in their advertisements. Historically, upload speeds were deemed less critical, but both are now recognized as vital for a robust internet connection.

Upload speed, or “upstream” speed, gauges how quickly you transmit data to the internet. Activities like video conferencing, online gaming, uploading media to social platforms, and sending emails all require adequate upload speeds.

Typically, upload speeds are considerably slower than download speeds, though this can vary depending on the type of internet connection. For instance, cable connections often limit upload speeds to 20-30Mbps. Conversely, fiber optic connections almost always provide symmetrical download and upload speeds. A fiber plan offering 1,000Mbps download speed should also provide close to 1,000Mbps upload speed.

The necessary internet speed hinges on the number of devices in your household and your family’s online habits. Households with heavy data users, such as gamers, remote workers, or students, and numerous smart devices might benefit from a high-speed 1-gigabit plan. FASTNET’s guide to internet speed offers detailed recommendations.

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has published guidelines for household broadband speeds based on device count and users on a network, which informs FASTNET’s speed guide. Basic service, ranging from 3 to 8Mbps download/upload, is suitable for basic online tasks like browsing, email, video calls, and standard definition video streaming.

Medium service, categorized as 12-25Mbps, optimally supports up to three users or devices concurrently, with medium to high usage depending on activities. Advanced service, exceeding 25Mbps, is recommended for households with four or more simultaneous users engaged in more than basic online activities. Despite these broadband guidelines, the FCC defines broadband as a minimum of 100Mbps download and 20Mbps upload. A minimum internet connection of 100Mbps is advised for consistent and dependable speeds, even with fluctuating bandwidth demands.

Conducting an Internet Speed Test

To effectively troubleshoot your internet connection, first determine the actual speeds you are receiving at home.

Now that you understand download and upload speeds, perform a free internet speed test to assess your current performance. Several free websites and applications are available for this purpose, including Speedtest.net, Fast.com, and CloudFlare. (Note: FASTNET and Speedtest are under the same parent company, Ziff Davis.)

For a comprehensive evaluation, conduct tests multiple times throughout the day and in different locations within your home. These tests are typically quick, taking less than a minute to complete.

Internet connection speeds can fluctuate based on time of day, the number of connected devices, and other factors. For a more accurate representation of your home’s internet speeds, it’s recommended to run the speed test repeatedly over one to two days and record the outcomes.

For advanced users, a Raspberry Pi can be configured to automatically run internet speed tests on a schedule, saving results to a file in Google Drive.

Ideally, for the most accurate speed test, connect your computer directly to your ISP modem using an Ethernet cable. However, this is not always practical. Alternatively, many modern wireless routers offer speed testing capabilities through their administrative apps.

Running a Speed Test via Your Wireless Router

Certain wireless routers offer integrated speed test functionality through their mobile applications. For example, Google Nest Wi-Fi allows users to conduct speed tests via its app or by using Google Assistant voice commands.

Routers from Eero, Linksys, and Asus ZenWifi also provide similar features, although smart speaker integration may vary. Consult your router’s app as the initial step.

Utilizing your wireless router’s speed test can provide a more precise measurement, in theory, as the router connects directly to your modem.

If speed test results are lower than expected or below your subscribed speeds, a router upgrade isn’t immediately necessary. However, router age can be a factor. Like all technology, router technology advances, potentially leading to performance declines. For cable internet users, most ISPs suggest a DOCSIS 3.1 modem or gateway to support faster speeds.

Addressing Slower Than Expected Internet Speeds

If your internet speeds consistently fall below your plan’s specifications, several simple steps can improve your Wi-Fi performance. Initially, try power cycling your modem and router: turn them off for about a minute, then power them back on. This well-known technique can resolve minor software issues or glitches and refresh device memory.

If the issue persists after restarting and optimizing your Wi-Fi setup, check for ISP outages. For instance, for Comcast Xfinity users experiencing unreliable service, the Xfinity My Account app provides outage information and estimated restoration times. Identifying an external issue eliminates unnecessary personal troubleshooting.

If these solutions are ineffective, your internet connection type might be the limitation. DSL, fixed wireless, and cable connections often offer slower speeds compared to the rapid and reliable nature of fiber optic service. If fiber is accessible in your area, evaluate upgrading. Otherwise, consider increasing your speed tier with your ISP to ensure a consistently fast and reliable internet connection.

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