Are you frustrated with your slow broadband? Then you’re not alone. Many people struggle with sluggish internet speeds. Luckily, there are a few things you can do to speed things up.
Most of us will experience a slowdown in broadband speeds from time to time. This can be frustrating, especially if you rely on the internet for work or school. In this article, we provide a few simple tips that could help you get things running smoothly again.
Why is my Broadband So Slow?
There are many reasons why your broadband could be slow. It could be due to your internet service provider, your router, or even your device/computer. Identifying and eliminating the underlying broadband speed issues can make a significant difference in improving your broadband speed.
So what are some of the common issues that could be causing your slow broadband?
Other software and devices
If you’re using an older computer or device, it might not be able to keep up with a modern broadband connection. This can result in slow speeds, even if your broadband itself is fast. Multiple devices using the same connection can also have a negative impact on your speed as you are sharing bandwidth across these.
Applications and updates:
Large applications and updates can hog your bandwidth and slow down your connection. To speed things up, try pausing or stopping any large downloads or updates until you’re finished using the internet for the day.
Traffic management
Most broadband providers use traffic management or ‘traffic shaping’ to help manage the amount of data flowing over their network. This means that they can give priority to certain types of traffic, like video streaming or gaming, during busy periods. While this helps to keep speeds high for the most popular activities, it can mean that other types of traffic, like file downloads or web browsing, are slower at these times.
To find out if your provider is traffic shaping and what they’re prioritising, check their website or give them a call.
Broadband providers are required to give you information about their traffic management policies before you sign up for a contract with them.
Broadband line faults
One of the most common reasons for a slow broadband connection is a fault on the line. This can be caused by a variety of things, from bad weather to damage to the physical line itself. If you suspect there may be a fault on your line, the best thing to do is to contact your service provider who will be able to run some tests on the line or if necessary send out an engineer.
One of the most common reasons for slow broadband is peak time traffic. This is when the majority of people are online at the same time, typically in the evening after work or school. The demand on the network is higher and so it can result in slower speeds for everyone.
Slow Wi-Fi
One of the most common reasons for slow broadband is a poor Wi-Fi connection. If you’re experiencing slow speeds, the first thing you should do is check your Wi-Fi signal strength. If you’re not getting a strong signal, try moving closer to your router or connecting directly via Ethernet cable.
Web browser problems
If your web browser is slow, it can drag down your whole broadband speed. Make sure you’re using the latest version of your browser, and clear out your cache and cookies regularly. You can also try using a different browser altogether – sometimes one works better than another depending on your set-up.
Malware
Malware can be one of the main reasons for a slow broadband connection. This is because malware can take up a lot of bandwidth and resources, making it difficult for other tasks to be completed. To remove malware, you will need to use an anti-malware program and scan your computer, there are many free and paid options out there that help keep your device malware-free.
Router Security
One common reason for slow speeds is router security. If your router isn’t properly secured, it can slow down your connection. Make sure you have a strong password and that your router’s firewall is enabled.
Problems with sites and services
One of the most common reasons for slow broadband is problems with sites and services. If a website or service is down, it can cause your broadband to slow down. To check if this is the case, you can visit websites like DownDetector or Outage.Report.
Tips On Improving Your Broadband Speed.
1. Run a broadband speed test.
One of the best ways to determine what’s causing your slow broadband is to run a broadband speed test. This will give you an accurate reading of your current download and upload speeds. Armed with this information, you can then take steps to improve them.
2. Check your devices.
One common reason for slow broadband speeds is due to the number of devices using the connection at once. If several people in your household are streaming Netflix or gaming online, for example, this can slow down the connection for everyone. If you’re using a lot of data, your broadband may be running slowly because it’s struggling to keep up. Try reducing your usage or upgrading to a higher-bandwidth plan.
3. Check your router position.
Having your router in the correct position can be vitally important. To start with, you’ll want to make sure that your wifi router is in the right place. Usually, the closer it is to where you’re sitting or working, the better your signal will be. If you have a large house, you may need more than one router to get good coverage throughout the entire space. You can also try optimizing your wifi signal by changing the channel on which your router broadcasts.
If it’s not in an optimal spot, you might not be getting the most out of your broadband. You can test different spots in your home to see which gives you the best signal.
4. Boost your Wifi.
Wi-Fi extenders are devices that help improve the signal strength of your home’s Wi-Fi network. They do this by picking up the signal from your router and then amplifying it so that it can reach further into your home. This is a great solution for homes that have weak or spotty Wi-Fi signals.
There are a few different types of Wi-Fi extenders available on the market. One popular type is the plug-in extender. These devices simply need to be plugged into an outlet in your home, and they will start boosting the Wi-Fi signal. Another type of Wi-Fi extender is called a range extender.
5. Use a wired connection.
Connecting your computer directly to your broadband router is one of the easiest ways to improve your broadband speed. Broadband Ethernet cables are a common way of connecting to the internet. They are simple to use and provide a high-speed, reliable connection. Most broadband routers allow you to connect an ethernet cable directly, with the other end connecting to your PC.
6. Ensure that your browser is up to date.
Most modern browsers keep themselves automatically updated. However, not all do so check that you are running the latest version. You can usually confirm this by checking the About Browser Name in your browser’s menu.
7. Keep your Broadband Router Switched On.
In terms of broadband speed, keeping your router switched on at night can help ensure your speed remains consistent. Broadband and broadband routers are designed to be on 24/7 switching them off can indicate to the exchange that there may be a problem with your connection. Resulting in slower speeds while it tries to resettle the connection when switched back on.
What to do if your broadband Speed Has not Improved?
If the above tips have not made any improvements to your broadband speed, don’t suffer in silence. Speak to your broadband provider to see if they can provide any insight into why your broadband speed is not meeting expectations.
If your broadband is with BT, EE, Plusnet, Sky, TalkTalk, Utility Warehouse, Virgin Media or Zen Internet. These have signed up to Ofcom’s Broadband Speeds Code of Practice. Then you have additional protection if your broadband provider is not able to meet your personalised minimum speed guarantee.
Switch Providers – If your existing provider is unable to resolve issues relating to slow speeds. It may be time to switch providers. Check out our Broadband Provider Comparison. Different providers will provide different levels of service at varying speeds.
Conclusion
The above tips should hopefully provide you with a few ways in which you can improve your broadband connection speed.