Slow Internet Connection Driving You Crazy?

Today, the internet is considered a necessity. Nearly everything we do has ties to the World Wide Web. Downloading, streaming, and browsing are everyday activities. Whether you use the internet for work, pleasure, or something in-between, a slow internet connection can disrupt your entire day.

Don’t let a slow connection drive you crazy. Learn how to test your connection and determine exactly what the problem is. Can’t find a solution? Trust our Tech Experts to get the job done fast.

Unfortunately, a number of things can cause a slow connection. It could be your Wi-Fi router, it could be your service provider, it could be your machine, and it could be the websites you are trying to access. To determine exactly what might be causing your problem, try the following steps.

Check Your Connection

Start by opening your computer’s Network Connection panel. This is located in the bottom right corner of your screen. By hovering your mouse, you will see some information about your connection status.

Click the icon and open ‘Network & Security Settings’ for more information. In this window, you will see what connection you have. If there is a problem with your connection, this will provide more information.

If you are still having problems, try the Network Troubleshooter. Running this could help you understand the problem and provide steps for fixing your connection.

If you are connected to the internet with no problems identified, continue to the next step.

Run a Speed Test

If your computer is connected to the internet but you are still experiencing a slow connection, your next option is to run an Internet Speed Test. Google has its own Speed Test. It’s easy to access and remember. In your preferred browser, simply search on Google for ‘Internet Speed Test.’ Click ‘Run Speed Test’ and watch the test run.

You can watch in real time what your download and upload speed is. The test will first run the download scan measured with the purple bar. Next, it will run the upload scan measured with the blue bar.

After the test runs, Google will provide an overview of the results. It will even interpret the data for you by providing a single sentence such as ‘Your internet speed is very fast.’ You can even click ‘Learn More’ to see more information about internet speed and what the numbers mean.

If you are concerned about the speed of your connection, there are a few things you can do to help.

Reset the Router

The age-old advice ‘turn it off and turn it back on again’ really does work. We know it sounds annoying and even a little insulting, but it is your best option sometimes.

To reset your router, you have two options.

Hold the Reset Button

Some routers come with a built-in reset button. This button acts like a power button, but it automatically restarts after a few seconds.

Press and hold the reset button until the device turns off. Then release the button and wait for it to come back on.

Pull the Power Cable

For routers without a reset button, or for a complete shutdown, pull the power cable. Unplug the cable from the wall then unplug it from the machine.

Leave it unplugged for about 30 seconds, then plug everything back in and give the router a few minutes to reconnect before you test again.

Restart the Computer Too

Sometimes the router is fine and the slowdown is the device itself. Restarting makes it start reading its code again from the beginning, which clears out the glitches that build up over days of being left on.

Start with the app that is misbehaving. To close one that has stopped responding:

• On a PC, press Ctrl + Alt + Delete, open Task Manager, select the app and click End task.
• On a Mac, press Command + Option + Esc, select the app and click Force Quit.

Open the app again. If it is still slow, restart the whole computer, phone or tablet. One exception: never restart a device while it is installing an update — interrupting an update can cause far bigger problems than the one you started with.

Check for Outages

Internet outages happen. If you are having problems establishing a connection to the internet, you might be affected by an internet outage.

To determine if your area has been impacted by an internet outage, use DownDetector.com. Simply select your internet provider such as Comcast or Verizon. Then select ‘Live Outage Map.’ You can use this map to find your area and see if you could be experiencing a service outage.

If your area has been affected by an outage, you can report an outage.

Still Slow?

If restarting did not fix it and there is no outage in your area, the problem may be your equipment, your wiring or your plan. Tech support for homes and businesses is now handled by our sister company, Goober Support.