The buffering hell loop is real. Lag is real. A website page taking more than 5 seconds to load is real.
If these issues prolong then they can ruin many things for you. You cannot complete one Netflix episode in peace nor can you game with your friends on a weekend gaming marathon night.
Your internet speeds keep declining and you just don’t know what to do. Some of you would rather learn to live with it than do something about it as none of the fixes in your mind are as quick enough.
We understand that when you’re subscribed to a tempting cable TV plan like Spectrum, you would find yourself busy watching your favorite reality TV show when the wrath of slow internet speed hits. But you cannot ignore this abomination for long or can you?
There should be a permanent fix to this dilemma and for that reason, we have compiled some causes of slow internet speed. Knowing these causes will also help you lead yourself to a sound and permanent solution. So keep reading!
Run a speed test
Before you jump on a bandwagon of deciding to change your internet service provider or paying double for higher internet speeds, pick any reliable free speed test website and test out your internet connection speed. This is one of the easiest and quickest forms of speed troubleshooting.
The speed test tool will then give you a detailed overview on your current download speed, your upload speed and the ping that you are getting on your server. That way you will get a look on your internet performance, where it lacks, are you getting the promised download/upload speeds and that’s about it.
If the speed is lower than what you’re paying for, supposedly you are subscribed to a 40 Mbps internet plan and you are getting speeds throttled to 35 Mbps then it’s time to reconsider getting a new connection or an upgrade.
Run a malware detection program
One primary culprit of slow internet is malware. Computer worms and Trojans can infiltrate your system with you barely realizing it. The reasons?
It could be some random pop-up message you clicked, some free software you downloaded or some phishing attack email that you clicked on. There are other reasons, as well but we are going to work on the solution instead. So worst-case scenario, your system is infected by a malware and your internet speed and performance is deteriorating.
What you can do is install a reliable anti-virus program and run it to scan for any malicious findings. If malware or internet worms are detected, the anti-virus will simply delete the malware for you.
Seek customer support
Well if none of the troubleshooting tips we have accumulated work for you then you know what your last resort is. Before you make a random decision to change your connection and pay hefty installation and subscription fees from scratch, you can go about another route.
Dial in a call to your internet service provider and report the speed issue you have. The chances are that there could be issues with your hardware equipment or the cable/fiber line your internet network is connected to.
It’s likely for such issues to go overlooked by your service provider and are only fixed once the consumer reports it.
You have outdated equipment
What powers your internet connection to your whole household is your router/modem and if these two devices malfunction or become outdated then it becomes a real bummer.
Most router firmware don’t come with an auto-update option so you have to keep all updates in check and run updates whenever needed. Another grave issue is faulty hardware. It’s recommended to get your router and modem from your internet provider directly but if you are looking to buy a set yourself then ensure you don’t go for extra cheap options.
Find a middle ground and rent the equipment initially. Connect your wireless devices to the router and see if the devices are performing as required. If not then the main culprit here is your faulty equipment.
To conclude
There you have it. All the solid reasons that can induce a slow internet connection. It can be your hardware, it can be an outdated router, a malware program or an issue from your internet service provider’s end. No matter the issue it’s better to detect it early on instead of waiting on it.
If the issue goes unaddressed and fixed for a long time then it can brew up more issues for you.
