Why Is My Internet So Slow? 9 Reasons and Solutions

With all of the internet and Wi-Fi-enabled devices that have become integral to our daily routines, a slow internet connection can evolve from a minor inconvenience to a significant one. Whether you’re experiencing choppy streaming video, lagging online games or disruptions in work-from-home productivity, the culprit could be because your internet is slow. Our guide will help you identify these issues and provide actionable solutions to meet all your home network speed requirements.

How to Fix Slow Internet Quickly

Slow internet issues can often be resolved with simple fixes that don’t require extensive internet troubleshooting. Before diving into more complex solutions, try a few quick fixes that could potentially improve your internet speed.

• Reset Your Modem and Router: Turn off both your modem and router. Wait about 10 to 15 seconds, then power them back on. You can also turn them off and unplug the power cables from both devices. Wait for the same duration, then plug them back in. This simple reset can help clear temporary issues to improve your internet connection.
• Perform a Speed Test: When troubleshooting your slow internet, run an internet speed test to measure your download and upload speeds, so you know what kind of bandwidth you’re working with. Take the speed test twice — once via a Wi-Fi connection and once via an Ethernet cable. That will tell you if your wireless network is the problem or if you aren’t getting the right speed from your modem.
• Switch Frequency Band: Access your router settings via a web browser using its IP address. In the wireless or Wi-Fi configuration section, choose between the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands. Switching to the 5 GHz band may improve internet speed, as it generally offers faster data transfer rates and experiences less interference, especially in densely populated areas.

You’re Experiencing Network Congestion

If your internet is slow once everyone returns home for the day or switches from work calls to personal usage, the number of devices connected to your network could be causing network congestion. A simple factor causes congestion: how much data the network requests and how much of it is transferred to that network. The more connected devices, the more data is requested and sent over your home network.

It’s important to note that not all congestion comes from within your own network. During peak usage hours, the amount of data requested by all of an internet provider’s customers in the area exceeds the amount of data the network can effectively send. As a result, all local customers experience network congestion. Fiber-optic networks are capable of handling a massive amount of network traffic simultaneously and generally experience less congestion than cable or DSL networks.

If your internet speed issues stem from network congestion, try adjusting your router’s quality-of-service (QoS) settings. These settings act like an air traffic controller for your home network — they help your router prioritize your network traffic, meaning the most important data will get where it needs to go before any other data is handled. That means you can stay on your late-afternoon Zoom meeting while your kids watch Disney+ after school without any interruption or slowdown. Not every router offers users access to the QoS settings, however. You may have to upgrade your router if you need to prioritize and organize your network traffic.

You’ve Reached Your Data Cap Limit

If your internet plan comes with a monthly data cap, your service provider might slow your network down as you reach or exceed your allotted data. These overages can come with fees, depending on your plan and provider. If your plan includes a data cap, make sure you’re aware of how much data you use per month so you can stay under your limit. Most routers don’t allow users to check their data usage, so you’ll have to find some third-party router firmware to help you monitor your home network data usage.

Once you’ve determined how to effectively monitor your data usage, work to stay under your data cap. The more members of your household, the more devices that will use data on your network. If your household relies on streaming content — such as Netflix, Hulu or Disney+ —  for living room entertainment, know that streaming can quickly eat up a lot of your allotted data, especially if you’re streaming in HD and 4K. An unlimited data plan, however, removes any consequences from hitting your data cap.

Something Is Blocking Your Wi-Fi Signals

If you’re primarily a Wi-Fi user, your physical location could be to blame for your slow internet. Wi-Fi signals can be blocked by walls, doors, couches and other furniture. If your router is tucked away in a closet or corner of your home, you increase the number of obstacles your Wi-Fi signal has to go through before it reaches you, slowing down your network.

The easiest way to avoid blocked Wi-Fi signals is to avoid Wi-Fi signals altogether. If possible, connect your device to your modem using an Ethernet cable and you’ll never have to worry about a Wi-Fi issue again.

However, connecting devices to your modem with an Ethernet cable isn’t always feasible or convenient. If it’s not, choose an optimal router placement, one that is in a central location high off the ground. If possible, rearrange your furniture to boost your Wi-Fi signal and keep it uninterrupted.

You’re Experiencing High Latency

Latency refers to the amount of time it takes for you to send data over your network to another location and for that data to return to your device. The act of sending a small packet of data from one computer to another is referred to as “pinging” that device, and the ping is the measurement, in milliseconds, of the network’s latency. Latency is caused by the location of the server you’re connecting to, the type of network connection you have and your router. The longer the distance your data has to travel, the higher your latency.

Updating your router and modem’s firmware can help improve latency. Think of this update as taking your car in for service. It should run better, faster and more efficiently after being serviced, just like your router and modem should perform better after you’ve updated their firmware. If you’re already running the current version of your router and modem’s firmware, make sure no user or application is using an unexpectedly large portion of your bandwidth. Reducing extra downloads or streaming can go a long way to curbing excessive latency.

You Have Outdated Equipment

The internet has been around for over 40 years, and there have been countless iterations of internet equipment. If you don’t remember the last time you upgraded your modem or router, it may be time to do so, since they have a useful lifespan of about seven years. If you rent your modem and router from your internet provider, the odds are you won’t have the latest and greatest equipment (but you won’t have the most obsolete, either).

Many users rent their router and modem from their ISP, but you can purchase your own equipment. Doing so ensures you won’t end up stuck in the past when it comes to internet speed, and it can save you money in the long run. You also won’t have to worry about annoying equipment-return protocols if or when you change ISPs. Make sure the modem and router you plan to buy are supported by your ISP before you spend your money.

If you’re not interested in purchasing your own equipment, you can reach out to your ISP. If you’ve had the equipment for over five years, consider asking them to upgrade your modem and router. Even if they can’t accommodate your request, it doesn’t hurt to ask.

You Have a Slow Internet Plan

Sometimes your equipment is working the best it can, but your internet plan is simply too slow for your needs. What constitutes “slow internet” can be subjective. For example, a heavy gamer who regularly downloads large files might define “slow” much differently than someone who only uses the internet for emailing family and friends. If you frequently stream 4K video and play online games competitively, you’ll likely need download speeds of at least 200 Mbps. If all you’re doing is checking your email and browsing the internet, you can start as low as 5 Mbps.

Regardless of what you consider slow, if your internet plan speeds aren’t matching up with your usage, consider switching to a faster internet provider, plan or connection type. In most cases, upgrading with your current provider is the simplest way to go. However, you could also choose to change your provider or change your connection type, such as going from cable internet to fiber. The latter choices will depend on availability in your area.

You’re Running Too Many Applications

When surfing the internet, it’s not uncommon to accumulate multiple open browsers or applications. Unfortunately, your computer has only so much processing power, so it can only do so much simultaneously. As the computer and your internet work to keep everything running, it can cause the connection to slow down.

The fix for this issue is rather simple. Close extra applications or browser tabs when you’re done using them. Odds are your device can handle at least one or two extra things at a time, but the more you try to do at once, the slower it gets. If you do have large downloads you need to complete, do those when you aren’t actively using your computer.

Your ISP Is Throttling

Throttling is a strategy most commonly used by wireless ISPs. If your ISP needs to limit the amount of bandwidth you’re using (usually if you’re nearing your data cap, or the amount of bandwidth all its users in a particular area are using), it can slow down your internet.

There are two solutions to throttling. If you experience this every month due to nearing your data cap, it’s probably a good idea to opt for an internet plan without one. If you suspect this is happening due to users in your area and not your own activity, consider investing in your own modem and router. ISPs are unable to throttle against your home network.

If you’re unsure if throttling is the issue, there’s a simple check you can perform. Run a speed test as you normally would, and then run another test using a VPN. If your speed improves when using a VPN, it means your network is being throttled.

You Have Malware or Viruses

No one likes finding out malware or viruses exist somewhere in their home internet, but it can be the reason their internet is running slowly. These work similarly to applications, pulling usage that drains your internet speeds. Removing malware and viruses is the first step to fixing the issue, but there are preventative measures you can take as well.

If you don’t currently use antivirus software, consider it, because such tools can be invaluable if you have the misfortune of downloading a virus or other malware. Antivirus software will often catch any bad apples you’ve downloaded before they become a larger problem. When using the internet, you’re connecting to every other computer connected to the internet at that time. So make sure you protect your network by downloading only trusted files or running them through an antivirus tool first.

Frequently Asked Questions About Slow Internet

Why am I not getting my full internet speed?

You could be experiencing network congestion during peak usage hours, which can result in slower speeds, especially in densely populated areas. The age and capabilities of your router and modem can also impact performance, as outdated hardware may not support higher speeds offered by your ISP. Interference from neighboring Wi-Fi networks, electronic devices or physical obstructions like walls can also hinder signal strength and reduce internet speed.

What is a good home internet speed?

A good home internet speed depends on the household’s online activities and the number of connected devices. For general web browsing and streaming for a single user, an upload speed of 25 to 50 Mbps and download speeds of up to 100 Mbps is typically sufficient.

Does resetting your Wi-Fi make it faster?

Resetting your Wi-Fi can potentially improve its speed by addressing temporary glitches and optimizing the network. When you reset your Wi-Fi router, it clears the device’s memory, terminates any ongoing processes and reestablishes connections. This process can help eliminate issues like network congestion, interference or performance slowdowns due to temporary errors.

How long is the lifespan of a router?

Routers generally last three to five years, largely due to evolving technology and increasing demands on internet speeds. Regular firmware updates can extend a router’s functionality, but ultimately, upgrading to a newer model is necessary to keep pace with advancements, ensure optimal performance and address compatibility issues.

How often should you unplug your router?

Unplugging your router once a month can help refresh its connection and prevent potential issues. Power cycling, or briefly disconnecting the router from the power source, can clear temporary glitches, enhance performance and optimize the device’s overall functionality.