Since the internet has become one of the most sought-after commodities in the recent past, a bad internet connection is not acceptable. Our lives are dependent on this powerful beast. It takes care of our daily chores.
For example, we buy groceries and essentials by choosing online shopping. Students are attending online classes, and businesses are being run online only because of the Internet.
Whether you are sending emails or uploading/downloading documents, attending Zoom meetings, or staying in touch with friends and family, you need to rely on your ISP.
Now, imagine for a moment that your internet service provider faces some major crisis like a power failure. You can lose important data, and your children can end up missing their assignments and exams.
These are real scenarios, and no one wants to go through something this drastic. That is why ISPs are constantly striving to provide premium services to their customers.
The speed of your internet connection is an important factor in making sure you have a smooth online experience. Whether you’re streaming movies, playing online video games, or browsing the web, slow internet speeds can be incredibly frustrating. Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to test my internet speed.
One of the most popular ways to test your internet speed is to use an online speed test. These tests measure the load time of a webpage or the speed of a download. A number of websites offer free speed tests to check your connection. All you need to do is enter your address, and the test will measure your download and upload speeds.
If you are facing trouble with your existing internet connection, we suggest contacting your ISP customer services.
Many Internet service providers are providing telecommunication services throughout the country. We suggest that you try Spectrum as it is USA’s second-largest ISP with services in almost 43 states. Charter Spectrum customer service is one of the finest among all. Their representatives are diligently working towards providing better solutions to their customers.
If you face a problem with your download speed, you can either give them a call or troubleshoot the connection on your own. We’re going to highlight some of the common reasons behind slow internet connectivity, and if possible, their remedies. It will help you save up on precious time. Some patience is recommended in such cases since a slow network can be most frustrating.
Without further ado, let’s dig into these issues:
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Wrong choice of internet plan
First, it is recommended that you figure out who is the best internet provider in your area. For example, if you are in Atlanta you can check out resources like this list of Atlanta internet providers to help you learn where you will find the best connection. Once you do choose a plan, try to remember the exact speed that was committed to you at the time of subscription before you start complaining about slow speeds so that you can make sure you are not complaining about something that you have signed up for.
For example, imagine that you subscribed to a 100 Mbps connection. However, as time went by, your usage got heavier. It could be because more users were on a single plan, or your internet usage became more high-end.
In both the above cases, you can expect your internet connection to become slow. The speed will not be as it once used to be because the bandwidth you are on is not suitable for your usage anymore. If this is the case, then we recommend shifting to a higher-tier plan.
Another problem that customers can face on the same lines is limited data. If your ISP did not offer unlimited data with the subscribed plan, the download speed might get throttled. Some ISPs give warnings when the monthly data limit is exceeded but do not terminate the service. Others discontinue the service in such a scenario. There is a third situation where the download speed is reduced to a minimum so that it is just enough for browsing and light usage.
Get the right plan. Look for options at your location and select the one that fulfills all your data requirements.
Older internet equipment
Most ISPs offer their equipment with their internet plans. This equipment includes modems, routers, and in case of satellite internet, a satellite dish antenna. Most of these come upgraded to the newest versions. However, some of them may not come with such features. The same thing applies to the devices that are using the internet. If your PC, laptop, or any other smart device is not up to the mark, it will slow down your internet speed.
If you are unsure of where the problem lies, go online, log in to your ISP account and check for any firmware updates that you might have overlooked. If the problem persists, maybe you require new equipment and the old one has become obsolete.
Once you have finished trying out the steps mentioned above, recheck your gadgets and devices to see if they are updated. You may need to invest in better ones if you want your internet connection to work at optimum speeds.
Viruses and malware
A device or equipment is as good as its anti-virus protection. If you don’t have one installed, your internet may be slowing down because of a virus or malware. They attack your system’s software and hardware, causing a lag in productivity. Most internet service providers come with security suites of their own. While most offer them free with the internet plan, some may ask you for a monthly rent.
We suggest not compromising on something as crucial as an anti-virus. Such a threat doesn’t only affect your internet speed. It can also end up stealing your information and sensitive data by hacking into your mainframe. You can lose more than you bargained.
Rush hour or peak hour issues
It is one of the most common problems that people face with their internet connection. You come back home after a long day of work and switch on Netflix, only to find out that it’s not working. It is highly frustrating, and you would want to pick up the phone and straighten your ISP out. However, there is a simple fact that most people forget.
If you connect during peak hours, you will not receive good download speeds regardless of how fast and reliable your connection’s bandwidth is. It is one of the most overlooked issues. If there is network congestion at your location, the internet will remain slow even though you may be paying top dollar for telecom services.
We suggest giving your internet connection a break and trying again after some time. In case the problem remains, you can contact your ISP or ask around to see if anyone else with the same connection is having trouble.
Connection reset issues
Last but not least is another common issue and its remedy. It may just be that your modem or router needs resetting. There’s a button on both these devices for rebooting. You can press down on it and keep pressing until all the lights on the equipment stop blinking. Then wait for a minute and restart the equipment again.
It is quite probable that your connection will come back to its original bandwidth. These were some of the most common slow internet issues that anyone can face with their internet connection. You can either try troubleshooting them or go straight to your ISPs CS department. The choice is entirely yours.