Improve Internet Connection Speed

Ways to Increase Internet Connection Speed

Some problems with slow broadband Internet speed can't be helped because they're caused by something on your Internet Service Provider's end. However, there are some things you can do at home to improve the reliability and speed of your internet connection. Let's take a look at what you can do to speed up your broadband Internet service.

 Delete Your Temporary Internet Files

Although temporary Internet files exist to speed up your browsing experience, there are times when they can actually be detrimental. If you accumulate too many temporary Internet files, your browsing experience will become drastically slower. Most Internet browsers allow you to clear cookies and temporary Internet files from their settings or preferences sections. Deleting these files might improve the speed of your broadband connection.

Power Cycle

Sometimes there are glitches on a broadband network that cause your modem or router to function improperly. These problems can sometimes be fixed by power cycling or resetting your hardware. Disconnect every cable as well as the power adapter from your modem and router. Leave them alone for five to ten minutes. After this time period elapses, replace the cables and turn the devices back on. Give them a few minutes to boot up, and then check to see if your connection has improved.

Secure Your Network

If you have a wireless broadband network, it is possible for your neighbors to use it without your knowledge. If several people are connecting to your network, it becomes very slow. The key to preventing the theft of your broadband connection is to secure your router with a strong password. Use a password that is hard to guess. Your password should contain at least one number and one capital letter. If you suspect that someone has figured out your Wi-Fi password, change it immediately.

Check for Viruses, Spyware or Malware

Computer viruses and malware are common causes of slow broadband Internet connections. These programs usually send signals to computers that belong to hackers and identity thieves. In addition to putting your personal data at risk, these programs slow down your broadband speed. Install a reliable security program and run a full scan. Once your computer is clean, you should enable your security software's active scanning feature in order to prevent any future infections.
Diagnosing the cause of a slow Internet connection can be frustrating. It is rarely your fault. However, if the problem is on your end, following these steps should help bring your connection back up to speed.

Switch to a Wired Connection

Although wireless broadband networks are convenient, they are less reliable than wired connections. If you're noticing slow or inconsistent speeds when using devices on your wireless network, there might be interference that is disrupting your connection. Try connecting to your modem or router using an Ethernet cable. Also, a recent study concluded that wireless connections are, on average, 30% slower than wired connections. So to get faster speed, plug in!

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Other Non tech  Options

Change Internet Service Providers

In some areas of the country, especially in rural areas, there may be only one choice of internet service providers. But in other areas, especially large urban cities, there are several choices. So research each option available in your area. Some internet service providers offer higher broadband speeds than others. You may have to pay more for a faster internet connection, but many times the additional cost is worth it. Especially if you work from home or stream a lot of large content such as movies.

Upgrade your Internet Speed Package

As with researching the different internet service providers available, you should also look at the different internet speed packages your current internet service provider offers. Most of the larger providers offer different plans at different prices. For instance, a provider may offer a basic plan with download speeds of only 2Mpbs. However, they also may offer upgrades that allow speeds of 10Mpbs, 20Mpbs and even 50Mpbs. As you can image though, the higher the download speeds offered, the more the monthly cost. So you must weigh the value of the increased speed with the increased monthly cost.

Invest in New Equipment

With computing technology increasingly rapidly each year, computers as new as only two years old can be much slower than newer computers. New computers have faster processors and therefore can process data more quickly speeding up your connection. In addition, old routers with older technology are in many cases much slower than their newer counterparts. And finally, if the cables that you use for your broadband network are old, it might be time to replace them as well. A new Ethernet cable could solve problems that you are having with the speed and reliability of your connection. If you have a fiber optic broadband Internet connection, you might need a new coaxial cable. There is also a chance that any splitters involved in your network need to be replaced.