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.
