The internet has become as essential as electricity and water in today’s digital world. However, it can be much more unpredictable than the other utilities. The internet speeds that you get are responsible for all of your online activities and while you might be getting the best bandwidth capacity one day, you might not be getting enough the next day.
It is also probable that your internet provider might not supply the right amount of bandwidth altogether and so you should make sure to understand the key points of your internet connection. As such, I have put together this article to share ways through which you can boost your internet connection at home without any professional assistance.
First things first, make sure that you are connected with a good and reliable internet provider. If you are worried about the expense, just know that it is not a rule that excellent internet providers would charge extraordinarily as well.
With Cox Internet, you can find the best internet plans and packages offering super-fast internet speeds at nominal rates.
Here are some of the best ways to boost your home connection:
1. Run a Speed Test
Slow internet speed can be a result of a lot of reasons so in order to pinpoint the exact one might take some time. However, you should always start from the top and take an internet speed test.
You can use websites like Speedtest by Ookla or you can just google internet speed tests for that matter. This is how you will be able to find out about the internet speeds that you are getting in contrast to the ones you are paying for.
It is fine if you experience occasional speed fluctuations and even if there is a slight difference between the expected and actual speeds. However, if there is a huge difference, you should immediately contact your internet provider and discuss the matter.
In the event that your ISP is unable to fix the issue or you face the issue quite frequently, you might want to just change your provider. On the other hand, if the internet speed test shows comparable speeds, there might be some other reasons behind slower speeds.
2. Check the Number of Connected Devices
Many people do not understand that each internet enable device takes a portion of bandwidth and so if the number of connected devices is a lot, you might experience slower speeds.
Another important thing to understand is that even if a device is sitting idle, it still consumes some amount of bandwidth. As such, you should always disconnect all the devices that are not being utilized to free up bandwidth.
3. Check the Security of Your Network
In the event that your internet connection is not secured by a password, you cannot control the number of people using it. In other words, the more the number of internet users, the slower the internet speed. This is because every device takes up bandwidth space and so if a large number of devices are connected to the network, the average bandwidth capacity decreases.
In order to deal with this problem, your first action should be to password-protect your internet connection. Mostly, ISPs have already installed passwords over the routers; however, if yours does not have it yet, follow these steps:
- Open your internet browser and enter your router’s IP address.
- Once your router settings pop up, log in using your username and password. This info is provided on your router. If you cannot find it, you can contact your internet provider.
- From the settings menu, change or add the password.
4. Position Your Router Correctly
Positioning your router in the right manner is much more significant than we think it is. Ideally, you should put it in the middle of the house so all the rooms can get the right and equal amount of bandwidth. Furthermore, if you live in a multistory house, make sure to place it on the floor that you hang out most on.
Moreover, putting it on an elevated surface like the top of a staircase or a bookshelf can be an additionally better option. Another important practice here is to correctly position the antennas of the router so that all areas of the house get the best speed transmission.
5. Try Changing the Router’s Channel
If you did not know before, be aware that your router is able to transmit data through different channels and each channel comes with its own bandwidth capacity. Whenever you have any internet-related issues, you should simply open the router settings and change the channel. You might have to go through multiple channels before landing the best and less crowded one but trust me it will be worth it.
6. Clean Your Computer
Applications like media player, Skype, Windows updates, and security updates take up your bandwidth without you even realizing it. These background apps can be a hassle and might just be the reason for slower internet speeds. The moment you suffer from slow speeds, follow these steps:
- Hold down Ctrl, Del, and Alt keys together. From the menu, click on Task Manager.
- Shut down all the apps and programs that are not being used.
- Use a wired connection
Although a wireless connection comes with a certain flexibility, it is not always the best connection. A wired connection is ten times more faster and secure than its wireless counterpart. If you have the cables in place, it is advisable that you switch to Ethernet before starting any important online task.
7. Check Your Computer for Viruses and Malware
Viruses and malware can be using your internet bandwidth without your knowledge. this not only is a security concern but also slows down your internet speeds. That being the case, you should have a decent antivirus program installed on your PC.
With a good antivirus program, you can not only dodge viruses but also prevent your device from slow internet speeds.
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