Slow internet is a pain, but you don’t have to put up with slow WiFi forever. Here are six reasons why your internet is so slow and how to speed it up.
The average internet speed in the United States is 75.94 Mbps
Every online user wishes to connect the WiFi easily, download Apps quickly, and even stream live videos without waiting for it to load. Sadly, this is not always the case, as many users have to deal to slow WiFi connections.
A sluggish network brings forth many frustrations, with the main one being time wastage. The slow network may also affect your productivity, mainly if you rely on the WiFi for your daily work.
So, how do you solve this?
The initial step to solving a slow net issue is to understand the cause. After that, you can implement a great strategy for a lasting solution.
This guide will discuss the six top possible reasons for slow internet connections, as well as their possible solutions.
1. Your Router Is Old
The age of a router has a significant impact on internet speed. Typically, newer routers are quite fast and efficient. Conversely, the older ones might have slow connections, due to their low handling speeds.
If your router is over a decade old, then the chances are high that it is not compatible with modern smartphones and computers. Phones and computers released after 2015 can handle a high speed of up to 250mps, meaning that they require a better router.
To solve the slow net issues, you should probably install the latest firmware on the router. And if it fails to accept the “N” standard wireless net, consider replacing it with a newer version.
The newer routers are dual, and they can support more than 5 GHz WiFi frequency. The 5GHZ is enough for regular live video streaming and internet browsing.
For excellent results, it’s advisable to work with experienced personnel. The ideal person should first test the current speed of your router and then update it accordingly.
2. Your Network Drivers Are Faulty
Your computer uses network drivers to connect to WiFi. However, these drivers sometimes get technical problems which affect their efficiency. The drivers might also become old and outdated, meaning that they can no longer connect well.
Some drivers update themselves automatically on the computer, although this is not always the case. For instance, the drivers may not have an automatic upgrade if you change the windows version you use.
Luckily, you can quickly solve the issue with ease, depending on the device you are using. If you use a Mac device, click here https://setapp.com/how-to/improve-wifi-speed-on-mac to learn more.
There are no automatic options for windows 10, 8, and 7 users, and thus, you should carry out the manual updates.
3. WiFi Congestion
People living in densely populated areas tend to have slower WiFi connections. This is because WiFi gets congested, which causes the interface of the multiple modes or routers to slow down.
Even if you are not sharing the same router, the fact is that you are using the same signals. Therefore, the different modems will be fighting for the signals available, which will translate to slower loading speed.
To solve the issue, confirm the WiFi channel of your router or modem. You can get this information from your manufacturer’s site or from the user manual. After that, select a unique frequency channel that your neighbors are not using.
You may also purchase the 5GHZ band because it tends to have less congestion than the regular 2.4 GHz. If that fails to work too, find an excellent wireless repeater, and try a new channel. Involve a network expert if you are not sure what to do next.
4. Your Device Is Far From the Modem/Router
The distance between your device and the WiFi source matters.
The internet signals come from the router, and so, they tend to become weaker with distance.
The effect, however, depends on the specific device you are using. The newer devices have the most reliable network devices, meaning that they can excellently detect the WiFi signals, even a distance.
Nevertheless, the connections are always more reliable and regular when you are near the internet source.
If the distance is the issue, then move your device closer to the internet source. Alternatively, you may relocate the WiFi sources to a nearby place.
Ensure that you don’t have running programs in the background, too, for the best possible connection.
5. Unprotected WiFi
A personal router does not guarantee you maximum internet connection and privacy. This is because your neighbors or third parties might readily connect it anytime.
When the number of connected devices increases, internet speed reduces significantly. Besides, many connections might increase your vulnerability to ransomware; a costly cyber risk whose global cost might rise up to $20 billion by 2021.
If you have not encrypted your network, then do so by following the right procedures. You can follow these measures to provide maximum protection to your system.
Change the Name of Your Network Name: Your network name is also known as the service set identifier. Make it unique without necessarily including your name or personal details.
Set a Unique Password: Encrypt your network with a strong password. The password should have more than eight characters to make it a hard guess for hackers.
Encrypt the Network: Use the various encryption measures such as WPA, WP2, and WEP to protect your WiFi. Encrypting all the data you send over the network will stop hackers from eavesdropping on your information. Encryption works by scrambling the information into a code that hackers cannot understand.
Turn Off: Learn to turn off the router when you are not at home.
Change the Default Address: Change the current default address of your router, and then disable the remote access. In this way, you will block other people from using your WiFi.
6. Running programs
The last possible reason for the slow network is running background programs. When you open many tabs and applications simultaneously, the loading speed for the device becomes slower.
The problem might even be severe if your device storage and network drives are poor. To solve the issue, avoid running many programs at once. Also, avoid downloading many applications or videos at a go.
Troubleshoot your device too to remove the unnecessary files and programs which might be interfering with the WiFi speed.
Avoid Slow WiFi Connections Today
Slow WiFi can result in massive losses if not solved early. Luckily, you can solve the issue in many ways. Most of the solutions are DIY, although you may call a network connection expert for better results. Identify the problems first, and then find an ideal way of putting it to an end.
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