Modem Says I Have Upload Speed

How to Fix Your Tedious Internet

Expert tips to banish wearisome internet speeds

January 23, 2022 Share
FAQ, Net Speed Guides

You tin can generally prepare a slow internet connection if the outcome is on your end. A unproblematic restart of your modem and your router (or all-in-1 wireless gateway) tin can sometimes speed up your connection. But your slow speeds may too be the issue of problems on your provider's cease—problems you lot only tin can't set up.

More often than not, your modem or router (or both) will create a speed clogging if not working properly—the aforementioned goes with wireless gateways. If your equipment is too quondam, it may not back up important cyberspace protocols. Equipment damage, such as bad ports or components, can also cause slowdowns.

In that location are a few ways to make sure each step of your network is performing at optimal speed. We'll help you identify and fix your network'due south weakest link starting with the basics—we'll get more than in-depth as nosotros go deeper into our guide.

Want faster internet speeds straight from the source? Enter your zip code beneath to see if a faster programme is bachelor in your area.

Why is your net so slow?

There are many reasons why your internet is boring. Perhaps your net provider is having problems, your home network needs a reboot, or you're only too far away from the router—the possibilities tin can be a scrap overwhelming. Nosotros'll list the most common problems and how yous can fix them to get more speed.

Your internet programme is too slow
You need better network management
Your provider'due south network is congested
Yous exceeded your information cap
You accept weak Wi-Fi signals
You have high latency
You have dull or outdated devices
Your provider is throttling your connection

Trouble: Your internet plan is too slow

If your internet slows down only when as well many other people are online simultaneously, you're probably using more data than your plan allows. Use our net speed test to see if you're getting the speed advertised by your ISP. If your results are shut to your plan speed, consider upgrading.

Your internet package gives you a specific amount of bandwidth, and if there's more than information trying to motion around than at that place is bandwidth, you come across a traffic jam.

Think of your cyberspace connection like a road straight to your house. One car's worth of people (or internet data) can achieve your house at a time. If there are three cars trying to get at that place, they have to line up to go to your house. And if more cars get in as the others are waiting to attain your house, the line and the delays become longer.

The easiest way to become more than bandwidth is past upgrading to a faster internet plan that can proceed upward with your household. Nosotros're online now more than ever, and the net plan yous signed upward for a few years ago might not be sufficient today if your connection slows down every time multiple people use the internet.

We recommend checking out one of the fastest internet providers in the US.

Problem: You lot demand ameliorate network management

If upgrading isn't an option, you need to either deal with the tedious speeds or manage your household's cyberspace apply. Thankfully, in that location are severa 50 easy means of doing the latter that doesn't include yelling at everyone to get off the cyberspace so y'all can nourish a Zoom coming together.

Here are a few tips on how to manage your dwelling house network traffic:

Use QoS settings

Many routers have a quality of service (or QoS) component that allows yous to control how your network prioritizes sure types of data. That way, you tin can make certain your streaming data always gets first access to available bandwidth for shine playback.

Not all routers accept adjustable QoS, just if your router does, you'll detect the controls in your router's spider web interface.

Pro tip: How to log in to a router

Many of our tips and troubleshooting guides tell you to log in to your router'due south web interface . Information technology's really easy if you lot don't know how—merely follow our instructions.

Prune your internet connections

At that place may be some devices connected to your network that you rarely use—if at all. For instance: you bought a new laptop, but the old 1 still idles and connects to the network. Even though it's non in use, it all the same uses bandwidth for updates and other groundwork services. Your router may even have a limited number of devices it can connect to simultaneously, and if you lot have too many connected devices the router may start kicking some of them off the network.

One elementary style to take stock of all the devices using your network is to load your router's web interface and view the network map. You will encounter all connected devices, whether they're agile or non, so you tin can cake the ones yous never use.

Another method is to modify the Wi-Fi password, merely that but applies to wireless devices . One time yous do , you lot must manually reconnect every device that accesses your wireless network .

Some routers or wireless gateways as well have a handy companion app that lets you see everything on your network without loading a browser . That way you lot can place and remove devices that no longer need access to your network .

Stagger bandwidth-hogging activities

If your connection tin can't handle everyone online at once, stagger your internet activities so everyone gets a chance at an uninterrupted connectedness.

Likewise, brand certain to schedule large downloads (similar computer and game updates) during times when other people won't exist online.

Put visitors on a invitee network

There's nothing wrong with sharing your internet with guests when they come to visit , merely you don't desire them to secretly download illegal content while they lounge on your burrow . That's where your router's guest network characteristic comes into play .

You tin create a 2nd guest network using your router'southward web interface or mobile app. A guest network allows you to limit how much bandwidth guests can utilize, and what services and websites they can admission . It also prevents guest devices from mingling with your devices, so there's no worry virtually guests spreading malware to everything you utilise.

Problem: Your provider's network is congested

Cable internet subscribers may endure slowdowns during peak times when they and everyone else in the neighborhood are active online at the same time. Information technology'due south a similar situation to traffic on your home network but on a larger calibration. In this example, you and all your neighbors compete for the same bandwidth.

If the congestion gets especially bad, your internet provider may throttle internet speeds in your surface area to reduce traffic for the network.

Unfortunately, you can't control when or how ofttimes people in the aforementioned expanse apply the internet —we certainly don't propose request your neighbors to log off then yous can Zoom in peace. But in that location are a few tricks to circumventing the issue.

Endeavour to schedule game and media downloads during off-peak hours, like in the middle of the dark. Yous could also switch to another provider that doesn't have as many subscribers effectually you, though that could be difficult to determine .

The only blazon of internet that isn't much affected by an area's network congestion is fiber cyberspace . Fiber infrastructure is capable of carrying much more information than other internet types, so having a ton of traffic at the same time doesn't slow downwards individual customers.

Problem: Y'all exceeded your data cap

Many internet providers have data caps, and some slow your speeds to a crawl after you hit that cap. You lot can unremarkably check to see how much data you've used on your online account or through your Internet access provider'south app. Providers like Xfinity give customers very high information caps—ane.2 TB for this example—and shouldn't cause too many bug for most households. Just satellite internet providers including and are less generous with their data allowances.

Satellite internet providers charge for internet apply by information rather than by internet speed. It'southward similar to how cell phone plans commonly piece of work: once you use upwards your information allowance for the month , your internet connexion can slow to a crawl.

HughesNet customers can see speeds drib to 1–iii Mbps. Viasat customers tin expect all their internet traffic to be deprioritized, meaning that their data gets pushed to the dorsum of the line of all Viasat customers' data.

Many DSL, cable, and fiber internet companies are discontinuing data limits , but there are many others that go on to keep them in place . Wait to see if your net service has a information cap in our guide to Internet service provider data caps .

Problem: You take weak Wi-Fi signals

Walls, distance, and even microwaves can interfere with your Wi-Fi signal. Weaker Wi-Fi signals mean slower speeds and frequent disconnects .

You can tell if signal interference and weak Wi-Fi signals are your issues if your connectedness works well near your router but is extremely boring in the side by side room .

To ready weak Wi-Fi, get-go, check your router'due south placement. Y ou want to make sure your router is in a central and elevated location and abroad from things that can affect your Wi-Fi signals (like walls, Bluetooth speakers, etc.).

If that doesn't work, yous might demand to supercede your router with one designed for longer ranges or meliorate coverage—or you can add an extender to your network to stretch Wi-Fi signals into a previously unreachable area .

Cheque out our guide to long-range routers if you lot need better Wi-Fi coverage. Information technology goes over both mesh Wi-Fi systems and standalone routers to aid you effigy out how best to access the internet in every inch of your habitation.

Problem: You have high latency

Latency is the fourth dimension information takes to make a round trip from your device to the destination and back. A high latency creates noticeable lag: an extended duration between your physical actions and the results displayed on your screen. This tin can be particularly frustrating with online gaming or video calls.

Loftier latency is difficult to work around. It depends partially on your physical altitude from net servers, network congestion between y'all and the servers , and your internet provider's infrastructure. Internet blazon can also play into latency equally well.

For example, satellite cyberspace has high latency because all your data must travel to space and back, both coming and going to your device. Newer types of internet, including fiber and 5G mmWave , have lower latency considering they tin can handle faster signals.

If you lot're looking to lower your latency for a improve connection, cheque out our written report on the fastest ISPs . It dives into which net services have the best tested speeds and lowest boilerplate latency.

Problem: You accept ho-hum or outdated devices

The trouble might not be with your cyberspace connection—it might be with the device you use . Your computer, tablet, phone, or gaming console could be outdated and non capable of processing today'south Wi-Fi speeds.

For example, the old (but much loved) PlayStation Vita handheld panel supports upwards to 150 Mbps per second considering it uses a Wi-Fi four radio. That speed can decrease based on the router it connects to and the security protocol it uses. The Vita volition never see speeds beyond that 150 Mbps limit.

If you lot have speed bug on a desktop or laptop, try power cycling the device. This clears the memory of whatever junk, refreshes your connection, and cleans out unnecessary processes and temporary files. Speed issues tend to happen due to an overworked processor, and a quick power cycle—shutting it down completely for 30 seconds—will "articulate its head."

Other things that can slow down your devices include the following:

Too many open applications
Too many open browser tabs
Outdated software
Outdated drivers
The operating system needs to reboot to install updates
Patch downloads
App downloads
Malware

Avoid overwhelming your estimator'south CPU by closing unused applications and browser windows. Keep your device'south operating organization up to engagement by allowing motorcar-updates, and keep your antivirus definitions electric current.

Problem: Your provider is throttling your connection

Internet providers can throttle your speeds, causing a wearisome connection . We'll go over throttling briefly hither, but you tin can get a more in-depth look at the subject in our guide to network throttling .

Nosotros've already discussed a few circumstances where a provider might throttle your speeds—like if you get over your data cap or if at that place'southward too much congestion in the network. But your provider might also irksome you lot down if it flags your internet activity every bit potentially illegal or if information technology generally doesn't want you to practice a specific type of activity (similar torrenting).

To see if your provider is throttling your cyberspace, run a speed test commonly and so run it again using a VPN. If your speeds ameliorate with the VPN, congratulations! You're throttled.

Other factors that affect your speed

Your internet plan's maximum speed

Cyberspace speeds are measured in megabits per 2nd (Mbps) . This refers to your connection'south full bandwidth, not the actual time data uses to make a round trip to a website and back—that's called latency.

Providers usually annunciate their internet speeds as "upwards to" a sure number of megabits per 2d, and there'due south commonly some fine impress that says those speeds are not guaranteed. Internet providers are mostly in the clear legally if your internet doesn't actually perform up to the highest advertised bandwidth.

Realistically, you may pay for 400 Mbps per month, but you likely won't see that maximum due to hardware problems between your internet provider's operator—a device that communicates with multiple modems—and your physical internet connection. Utility pole connections, your buried cable, and and so on all play a major factor in how your connexion performs. In that location'due south nix you tin can practise to get the maximum bandwidth you pay for each calendar month other than hope for the highest speeds possible.

If you lot demand a refresher on cyberspace speeds and what they hateful, check out our guide to internet speeds .

Your upload and download speeds

You upload and download data every day, whether you're on a smartphone or a laptop. For instance, when you access a website, y'all upload a request to that website and then download temporary files from the site to view it in your browser.

If you don't have issues with streaming on Netflix or downloading files but are withal experiencing some symptoms of deadening net speeds, your issue might really exist with your upload speed.

Cable, DSL, and satellite providers requite customers mode less upload bandwidth than download bandwidth considering most people request much more information from the internet than they ship. Upload speed is typically an issue for heavy uploaders—like Twitch streamers , people who work with video or audio , or those who often have to share large files.

The best fashion to better upload speeds is to switch to a fiber program. Fiber-optic internet connections often requite customers upload speeds equal to their download speeds. If you don't know what kind of speeds you lot actually need , bank check out our recommendations for upload and download speeds .

Your internet connection type

There are a few unlike technologies internet providers utilize to deliver your connexion, like cable, cobweb, satellite, or DSL. Your internet connexion type p lays a huge factor in your overall speeds.

Satellite net transfers internet signals from a base of operations station to a satellite to a receiver at your abode. Considering all your information must travel such a long distance both ways, satellite internet can accept very high latency compared to other types of internet, which slows things down.

DSL net uses telephone lines to carry data. Considering the infrastructure is usually a little older, it can't handle the same amount of bandwidth every bit a newer connection like fiber. DSL internet tops out at just over 100 Mbps, and its electrical signals tend to dethrone in quality over long distances.

Cable internet tin can be faster than DSL considering information technology uses the same coaxial cables that carry cable TV. Speeds can reach up to 1,000 Mbps, simply cable is susceptible to network congestion during loftier-traffic times due to the infrastructure'southward overall "shared" blueprint.

Fiber-optic internet is one of the newest types of internet, and it'south the best wired connection you can get. Fiber uses LED or laser pulses to ship your internet data, so it has lower latency than other net types as a whole. Information technology can also carry much more bandwidth than cable or DSL, offering speeds up to 2,000 Mbps. It's less prone to network congestion and can offer equally high download and upload speeds.

Overall, DSL and cable are the most common internet types while fiber is newer but scarce. Satellite is all-time for rural areas where the other three types tin't reach.

How to troubleshoot a dull connection

First, know your programme speed

You need to know how much speed you pay for each month and compare that number confronting the speed y'all're actually getting at present . Look on your newspaper bill or log in to your online business relationship to see your plan's advertised maximum speed.

Next, run a speed test and compare

Running a series of speed tests while connected to different points in your network can aid you figure out where your speeds are slowing downward. We'll break the testing process downwards into two sections.

Role 1: Test the modem

Your first speed exam is to see if you're getting the right speeds to your abode compared with what you're supposed to get from your internet provider . To get the most accurate results for your initial speed test, unplug your router from the modem and connect a computer to the same port on the modem using an Ethernet cable. If you have a wireless gateway, just plug information technology into one of the Ethernet ports.

Warning: We don't recommend browsing the internet for extended periods of fourth dimension without using a router. Your router has some first-class built-in security features that protect your network from viruses and malware.

This kickoff test should give you results that are close to the speeds promoted with your plan. If non, try to runway this issue over multiple days and times of day to establish a pattern. Contact your net provider to talk about why you're not getting the correct speeds if y'all continue to see lower than expected results .

Run the Speed Test

Function 2: Test the router

If your modem isn't the issue, the next pace is to test the router. Plug the router back into the modem and run multiple speed tests using your wireless devices, and wired devices plugged into the router'south Ethernet ports.

If you encounter a vast difference betwixt the modem and router tests, and so your router is causing your connection slowdowns—or the Ethernet cablevision tethering your router to the modem.

Go on in mind that non all wireless devices experience identical speeds. Their connections depend on the hardware inside no affair what router you use, so a upkeep Samsung phone volition accept slower Wi-Fi speeds than an expensive wireless card plugged into your desktop.

To troubleshoot router bug, follow these steps:

Step 1: Unplug the router's power, wait 30 seconds, and so plug it back in.

Stride two: Make sure all cables are connected securely and that all ports work.

Step 3: Update your router'south firmware. You tin can do this past logging in to your router's spider web interface or mobile app . (Your ISP likely does this automatically, only it'south worth checking.)

Step four: Reposition your router .

Step five: Move wireless connections to the all-time Wi-Fi band .

Step 6: Modify Wi-Fi channels in your router's interface to observe one that'southward less crowded.

Step vii: Attempt a factory reset by pressing the reset push button located on the back of your router.

If none of these steps work, you may need to upgrade to a newer or more than powerful router. Internet tech advances rather speedily, and if your router is more than a few years quondam, it might be time to become yourself something more than modern . If you're looking for router-buying guidance, nosotros have recommendations for the best long-range routers , the best modem and router combos , and the best routers for Xfinity .

Check for Wi-Fi expressionless zones

Wi-Fi problems can stem from multiple factors . Information technology could be your router's range, a crowded frequency aqueduct or ring, or betoken interference caused past concrete obstructions and other electronics.

You already know that you should place your router at a central and elevated location for the best coverage, so nosotros'll assume that yous've already done that and pointed your antennas in the right management.

Go to different areas of your house with a figurer or smartphone and watch the Wi-Fi betoken strength indicator. If you lot discover a lot of dead zones, yous may demand to move your router again (if they happen in areas where you unremarkably need Wi-Fi) or invest in something to heave your Wi-Fi signal to that particular area. You lot can as well make a Wi-Fi heatmap if you lot want to go more than precise with it.

If you have more than a couple of issues with Wi-Fi dead zones, nosotros recommend upgrading to a mesh networking kit . They unremarkably send with at least two nodes—one that connects to your modem and some other that communicates directly with the first unit of measurement—to create a "coating" of coverage. At that place's no centralized indicate, and you can easily add more nodes to extend coverage. Moreover, devices seamlessly switch between nodes as you move nearly the home or office.

If you lot prefer to stick with the traditional router, you lot could add together a Wi-Fi extender or powerline adapter , However, we still prefer mesh router kits versus the router/extender setup .

Reorganize your Wi-Fi connections

If you've already pruned your Wi-Fi connections of unnecessary devices , information technology's fourth dimension to make sure all agile connections are on the right Wi-Fi band.

Most modern routers offer 2 Wi-Fi bands, which each create their own visible Wi-Fi network. Past default, these are ordinarily labeled with their frequency bands, but it might be different if you've changed your Wi-Fi network'southward proper noun.

These bands operate on two different frequencies: 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz. The 2.4 GHz frequency band has a improve range, but it'south slower and more susceptible to bespeak interference from other electronics. The five GHz band is faster but can't travel as far.

Basically, you lot want to use the 5 GHz band for most bandwidth-heavy applications similar streaming or gaming. Devices that don't need that much speed—like smart dwelling house devices— should utilise the 2.iv GHz ring instead .

Typically, you can change the Wi-Fi ring each device uses by logging in to the correct Wi-Fi network on each device. However, some routers broadcast only one network name and automatically selects the best frequency ring for your device. This can be problematic if you really need the faster five GHz connection, simply the router forces your device to utilize the ii.4 GHz band.

Change your Wi-Fi band's channel

Both the 2.iv GHz and five GHz frequency bands used past your router split into multiple channels, like to how analog and digital Television receiver works over the air. Like any network dealing with lots of data, these Wi-Fi channels can get also crowded, which tin can cause slowdowns. This is especially true for compacted living situations like flat buildings.

To find the all-time aqueduct, you can use an app like NetSpot for Windows or employ the Network Diagnostics function on a Mac. Changing your Wi-Fi channel involves logging in to your router'due south web interface and manually selecting the ideal channel.

Check connected devices

As we mentioned earlier, sometimes the issue isn't with your cyberspace connectedness— it's with the smartphone, computer, or tablet y'all're using to admission the cyberspace . It may need a reboot, it may be outdated, or you lot have also many apps and programs open, bogging downward the device's processor.

Manage your network

If yous've fabricated it this far and you're nevertheless experiencing problems with deadening cyberspace speeds, run through the tips in the home network traffic section of this post if y'all oasis't already.

Your speed issues most probable stem from your internet provider's reliability or the traffic on your own home network. Even if yous've organized and trimmed downwards your number of continued devices, you could still not have enough bandwidth at certain times of day to cover everything your network has to handle. The merely solution to this is to either use the internet less or get a faster internet program.

Check out every provider and program in your area to see if you can go better speeds for a better deal.

Quick fixes for slow internet speeds (and why they work)

Before we dive in, accept an internet speed test. Measuring your net speed and knowing how it compares to the speeds you pay for is an important office of diagnosing a slow connection.

Run the Speed Examination

Fix #1: Power wheel your modem and router (or wireless gateway)

Your modem and router work hard , and sometimes they need to refresh with a quick ability wheel. Only pull the plug on both units, look thirty seconds, and so plug the modem dorsum into the wall outlet. Once it properly boots, exercise the aforementioned with the router.

In the case of a wireless gateway, pull the plug, await, and plug it dorsum in.

Draining both units of ability allows them to clear the system retentivity, clear upwards any local communication issues, and reestablish fresh connections. Moreover, a ability bicycle allows the modem to resync with your cyberspace provider'south operator—a device that communicates with multiple modems. Information technology also refreshes your router's public IP address.

Overall, a power cycle can really give your internet speeds a heave on your side of the modem.

Gear up #2: Motion your router to another location

Many people hide their routers or wireless gateways in closets, behind piece of furniture , or down in basement south . Don't exist one of those people unless you want excessively bad Wi-Fi.

Instead , put as few concrete barriers between your router and your devices as possible. Walls, floors, ceilings , doors, large furniture, and like obstructions can barricade your Wi-Fi signals and reduce connection speeds , peculiarly over longer distances.

Certain signals from other devices can also interfere with your wireless speeds. These include microwaves, Bluetooth speakers, baby monitors, and cordless phones.

For the best Wi-Fi coverage, place your router in a fundamental, elevated location, or at a location where you lot utilise Wi-Fi the most, like in a dwelling part .

Be sure to utilise your router'southward external antennas ( if present ) to get better Wi-Fi coverage. Most router antennas circulate Wi-Fi signals in an outward circle perpendicular to the antenna's position . For instance, if the antennas are positioned vertically, the Wi-Fi signals broadcast horizontally in all directions.

That said, if you live in a one-story house, keep the antennas vertical. If you alive in a multistory house, positional at to the lowest degree one antenna horizontally then the Wi-Fi signals accomplish the additional floors.

Set #3: Apply the internet during off-peak hours

If you know there'southward a large download in your time to come— the latest version of macOS or a 100 GB update for an Xbox Serial Ten game—you might desire to schedule a fourth dimension when you don't need to do anything else online. The early morning hours are ideal when everyone is asleep and no other downloads currently sus scrofa your bandwidth.

Operating systems tend to await until the early morn hours when you're fast comatose. Game updates, meanwhile, typically require y'all to manually first the download. Other updates aren't quite so accommodating with your schedule.

If your internet gets besides slow to stream during sure peak hours, download the content earlier in the twenty-four hour period (or over again, in the middle of the night) and so you'll be set to binge watch all of Avatar: The Last Airbender without buffering -related interruptions.

Gear up #4: Upgrade your internet plan

You may need a faster plan if more than people live with you now, if yous transitioned to working from dwelling, or if you generally use the net more than you did earlier. Enter your zip code beneath to detect a speedier programme that's bachelor in your expanse .

Author - Rebecca Lee Armstrong

Rebecca Lee Armstrong has more than six years of experience writing about tech and the net, with a specialty in hands-on testing. She started writing tech product and service reviews while finishing her BFA in artistic writing at the Academy of Evansville and has constitute her niche writing about home networking, routers, and internet access at HighSpeedInternet.com. Her work has also been featured on Top Ten Reviews, MacSources, Windows Central, Android Fundamental, Best Company, TechnoFAQ, and iMore.

Editor - Cara Haynes

Cara Haynes has been editing and writing in the digital space for 7 years, and she's edited all things internet for HighSpeedInternet.com for 5 years. She graduated with a BA in English and a minor in editing from Brigham Immature Academy. When she's non editing, she makes tech accessible through her freelance writing for brands like Pluralsight. She believes no one should feel lost in internet land and that a good net connectedness significantly extends your life span.

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Source: https://www.highspeedinternet.com/resources/why-is-my-internet-so-slow