Why is my internet so slow?

In the modern technological landscape, there’s little more frustrating than slow internet. Say you’ve gotten off of a long day at work and want to stream your favorite comfort shows, but the smart TV gives you the little blue wheel of death and says, over and over again, “Buffering.” Or you’re working from home, typing up an important Google Doc, and the internet disconnects and you’re locked out. 

We at Brightspeedplans.com feel your pain. Hopefully, our helpful resource will help you diagnose and troubleshoot your slow internet issues to see if there’s a quick fix or if you need to switch providers or upgrade your plan.

Possible causes of slow internet

If you find yourself asking “Why is my internet slow today?” here are some of the most common causes of a slow internet connection.

• Network congestion. Suppose you have multiple devices connected to the internet running simultaneously (for example, playing a console game online while streaming music from your phone while another family member streams a movie in the other room). In that case, your bandwidth might be stretched thin, slowing the connection. If you experience this issue often with multiple devices connected, you may need faster speeds.
• Distance from your router. The farther you are from your router, the weaker the signal your Wi-Fi-enabled device receives.
• Outdated equipment. Older routers or modems may not support modern tech like dual-band Wi-Fi, resulting in slower internet.
• Interference. Physical obstructions like walls or floors, or electronic devices such as microwaves, can interfere with your Wi-Fi signal.
• ISP issues. Your internet service provider may be experiencing outages or network issues in your area. 
• Background applications. If your device runs software updates or cloud backups, that can consume much of your bandwidth.
• Viruses or malware. Malicious software often consumes bandwidth and slows down your internet connection in addition to its more-publicized dangers.
• Throttling. Some ISPs throttle or limit the speed of certain types of traffic, such as video streaming, during peak hours or after you’ve used a certain amount of data. Check to see if your plan has built-in data caps.
• Browser issues. A slow or outdated browser can lower your device’s browsing speed even if your internet connection from the provider is running smoothly.

How do you fix a slow internet connection?

Before prescribing any direct fixes for how to boost download speed, we recommend testing your internet speed. This will tell you if the problem is with the speed coming from your internet service provider or another of the above-listed issues. 

Once you’ve determined your issue’s cause, there are actions you can take.

• If there is an issue with your Wi-Fi connection … place your router in a different, more central location; purchase Wi-Fi mesh extenders to extend your router’s reach throughout the home; upgrade your equipment; or simply try turning it off and back on again (you’d be surprised how many issues this fixes).
• If there is an issue with your device … update your browser and other relevant software and apps; close background applications; run virus and malware checks (usually found in your device’s Settings menu); or, what the heck, try turning it off and back on again and see if that solves the issue.
• If there is an issue with your ISP … call or chat with their customer service team; check online to find or report outages in your area; upgrade to a plan with higher speeds; or, if necessary, switch to another provider.

How do I know if I need a faster internet plan?

If your speed test results match your provider’s promised speeds, and you’re still experiencing difficulty doing everything your home needs to do online, it’s time to upgrade to a new plan or switch providers.

If you are a current Brightspeed customer or interested in becoming one, visit our customer service page to contact us about upgrades or new plans.