How to Fix Your Slow Spectrum Internet

• Spectrum Internet® can slow down due to various factors, including an outdated router, network congestion in your area, or service outages.
• Spectrum’s website offers a user-friendly speed test to ensure you’re getting the speed you need and pay for.
• If you still can’t resolve the issue on your own, submit a support ticket to a customer service representative or a technician.

As someone who relies on the Internet for both work and personal use, I can’t afford to experience slow speeds. Like many users, I’ve run into a slower connection with my Spectrum Internet, so here are some tips that you can try before going to customer support for help, saving you time and stress.

Know Your Speed

First, you should understand what Internet speed you’re paying for so you can determine whether or not it’s underperforming. My Spectrum Internet plan comes with download speeds up to 300 Mbps (wireless speeds may vary). Here’s how to identify your current plan in your Spectrum account:

1. Navigate to https://www.spectrum.net/.
2. Log in to your Spectrum account.
3. Scroll down to Your Services and click View Current Plan.
4. Review your Plan Details, including anything related to your Internet, TV, mobile, or home phone services.
5. Scroll down to see a summary of your plan.

Now that you know what plan you have, you can proceed with testing your current speed to understand if your service and equipment are working properly.

Testing Your Spectrum Internet Speed

Spectrum is the first Internet service provider that gave me a speed test option from the onset — not after I had an issue with customer service. That says something about their commitment to customer satisfaction and transparency. Spectrum makes it very straightforward to test your Internet speed from your account. Here’s how you can test your speed when you’re logged into your account portal:

1. Click Services from the sidebar.
2. Select the Internet tab.
3. From there, you can view your current plan and connected devices, check for security issues, and run a Speed Test.
4. Click Run a Speed Test and then follow the prompted instructions.

I received faster speeds than my active plan. When running this test, I was about 15 feet away from my router, so that probably helped deliver fast speeds to my laptop. If you see lower numbers than expected on your speed test, it’s time to figure out how to maximize your speeds.

Ways to Speed Up Your Slow Spectrum Internet

Before you contact Spectrum, there are several methods you can take to verify if your equipment is working properly and performing at its best.

Restart Your Modem and Router

One of the best ways to speed up your WiFi is to restart your modem and router. Modems and routers sometimes get bogged down with cached information, causing them to slow down over time. Restarting them can clear the queue and speed up your Internet in no time.

I don’t restart my equipment very often unless I’m having an issue with my speed or Internet service. However, it’s best practice to reboot your modem and router routinely — once a month is sufficient. A reboot clears out the memory and refreshes your connection. Don’t opt for the reset, however, as that will restore your equipment to the default factory settings.

Inspect Your Cables

Cables can become loose or unplugged by accident, depending on where you keep your equipment. Make sure your cables are plugged in properly and undamaged. If you have pets or keep your equipment on the ground, your cables might be the cause of your slow connection. You should also verify that your Ethernet cable is connected properly if you have a separate modem and router like I do. It’s recommended to practice cable management, as that will not only prevent damage to your cables but also organize your space, providing a neater appearance.

Review the Location of Your Equipment

The location of your equipment could be the quick fix you’re seeking to speed up your Internet. Keep the following best practices in mind when finding the best location for your modem and router:

• Make sure your router and modem are in a central location.
• Avoid barriers or obstructions, like walls or other electronic devices.
• Place your equipment higher up, such as on a shelf, to optimize your coverage and Internet speed.

Because I live in an apartment, I didn’t have to worry about the location of my equipment as much as someone who has a larger home. I chose to place my equipment on my TV console because I often work from my living room rather than in my bedroom or kitchen.

Clear Your Browser Cache

You should regularly clear your browser cache to prevent slower Internet speeds caused by too many temporary files. Your web browser usually makes it simple to clear your cache — it typically takes one to two clicks in your settings. I personally use Google Chrome, but clearing your browsing data should be a similar process with other web browsers.

Scan for Viruses and Malware

Remember the days when you clicked on an ad or downloaded a song on the Internet and then you accidentally planted viruses or malware on your parents’ computer? Unfortunately, malicious software and viruses are still around and can take up a lot of your Internet bandwidth without your knowledge. It’s important to stay safe when browsing the Internet. You can use reputable antivirus software to regularly scan your device or even catch these threats before they get through your device. Here are a few popular methods and tips to scan for viruses and malware:

• Run an Antivirus Scan with software like Norton, McAfee, Kaspersky, TotalAV, or something comparable.
  • Most of these require a paid monthly subscription, but there are free versions that allow basic protection (but are not guaranteed).
• Set up automated scans so you don’t have to remember to run the updates.
• Always update your operating system because it leverages its own antivirus defenses.
• Use secure or encrypted networks as opposed to public networks.
• Monitor any suspicious downloads before proceeding with them.

Check for a Service Outage

When logging into my Spectrum account, I can see right away if there’s a service outage in my area. Most companies also make it fairly seamless to identify if there’s a local outage affecting your connection. I’ve received emails if the outage is severe. While it’s frustrating, this issue is actually the best-case scenario, because your local technicians will be actively restoring connectivity to every Spectrum customer in the area and you won’t have to navigate the situation alone.

How to Reboot Your Spectrum Router and Modem Through the My Spectrum Mobile App

I don’t want to touch any wires or move equipment around for fear of them not functioning as expected afterward. If you’re like me, then rest assured that Spectrum’s mobile app allows you to reboot your equipment directly from your mobile device. Here’s how I used the app to reboot my equipment:

1. Log in to the My Spectrum mobile app.
2. Tap on the Services tab.
3. Select the equipment you’d like to reboot, such as Modem or Router.

4. Tap Restart Equipment? from the Get Help section.
5. Tap Restart Equipment to proceed and wait for the restart to complete.
6. Keep the window open to see the results of the refresh and receive any additional troubleshooting details as necessary.
   • During the process, I noticed my router’s light status turned red and that my WiFi connection was interrupted.
7. For best results, proceed with a Restart for both your modem and your router. You can either continue troubleshooting or, if your issue is resolved, continue to use your WiFi as expected.

Frequently Asked Questions About Spectrum Internet Speeds

What speed should I be getting with Spectrum Internet?

Spectrum offers several Internet plans with different speed ranges. Depending on your household size and what online activities occur, your speed needs can fall anywhere between 100 Mbps and 1 Gbps (wireless speeds may vary).

Why am I not getting my full speed with my Spectrum Internet plan?

You might experience slower speeds than what your plan promises for a few reasons: your equipment is outdated and you need to update the firmware; there is network congestion in your neighborhood so your speeds aren’t performing optimally; or you placed your router in areas that block the WiFi signals.

How can I make my Spectrum Internet faster?

Maximizing your Spectrum Internet speed is easy. The best way is to ensure you’ve placed your router in an area with minimal obstacles to allow signals to roam freely to your WiFi-enabled devices. Another is to restart your router and see if that improves your speeds. You can also disconnect any devices you and your household aren’t currently using to enhance network performance.