Slow connections are frustrating, especially if you’re in the middle of a movie, game or video call. If you notice lagging, glitching or buffering on a regular basis, try these simple DIY fixes before reaching out to your internet provider for service. Here are ten ways to speed up your internet connection and improve Wi-Fi performance.
Understand Your Internet Speed
The first thing you should do is run an internet speed test. Check your internet plan’s advertised speed and compare it to the numbers you see during the test. As you work through each fix, run the test again to see if your speeds improve. Our comprehensive guide walks you through how to interpret the results.
1. Check Your Router Placement
If your router is at the top of your closet in the back of your house, you’re likely not going to have a very strong signal throughout your home. Move your router to a central location that’s not hidden inside a cabinet or drawer to eliminate dead zones. A great spot would be at the top of a furniture piece in your living room so the signal can reach as much of your house as possible.
2. Restart and Update Your Router or Modem
Routers and modems work together to bring the internet to your devices. Restarting them is as simple as unplugging them, waiting 30 seconds and plugging them back in. If that doesn’t improve speeds, update their firmware through the device’s app or website if there’s a new version available. Some routers have a feature that automatically performs updates, so toggle that setting on if it’s not already.
The age of your equipment can also impact performance. If your router or modem is 3-5 years old, upgrading to new equipment with stronger capabilities may increase your internet speed.
3. Use A Wired Connection
Plugging your device directly into the router via ethernet cable is the fastest, steadiest way to get online. While inconvenient for personal laptops and smartphones, running a wire to stationary devices like gaming consoles, home office PCs and streaming boxes ensures you’ll have the speed you need.
4. Change Wi-Fi Channels
Your router uses Wi-Fi channels to communicate with your connected devices. If your neighbor’s router is set to the same channel, you may experience some interference. Try switching to channels 1, 6 or 11 in your router settings for the least interference with other nearby routers and connected devices.
5. Switch Wi-Fi Frequencies
Changing Wi-Fi frequencies may also improve speeds. Most routers broadcast at both 2.4 gigahertz (GHz) and 5GHz and can be configured in your router’s settings. While 5GHz Wi-Fi is faster and better at penetrating network disturbances and interference, it struggles to travel through walls and has a shorter range of coverage than 2.4GHz. Don’t turn 2.4GHz off, though, as some older devices only work at that frequency.
6. Limit Background Applications and Devices
Unnecessary programs may be running in the background on your device, hogging your bandwidth, so closing these can maximize your internet speed. If many devices are connected, the signals can overlap and congest your network. Disconnect any unused device to free up space, and use your Wi-Fi manager app to prioritize devices—no more buffering work video conferences when someone else starts watching a movie!
7. Scan for Malware and Viruses
Cybersecurity breaches cause big headaches. Whether you fall victim to a phishing attack or someone accesses your device over public Wi-Fi, viruses and malware can significantly slow your connection. Use a trusted antivirus software that’ll scan your device to detect and remove any threats and compromises. Most of these programs run constantly, but it’s best practice to double-check it’s scanning just in case, especially after accidentally clicking a suspicious link. If you have any doubts, it’s best not to open any questionable attachments.
8. Choose A Better Internet Plan
Sometimes, your internet plan just isn’t fast enough for your online activities. In the era of streaming, multiplayer gaming, working from home and smart home devices, the speeds required for daily activities have never been higher. Consider upgrading your internet plan to a speed that can handle all your online activities. 1 Gig may be enough for smaller households, but heavily-connected homes may benefit from speeds up to 2 Gig, 5 Gig or even more.
9. Use A Mesh Network
Compared to traditional Wi-Fi extenders, Mesh Wi-Fi routers provide faster speeds, better coverage and more stable connections throughout your entire home. These networks are designed to find the quickest way to send and receive information and can handle all of your connected devices at the same time. It’s also easy to add range for hard-to-reach areas in your home.
10. Upgrade to Fiber Internet
If you’ve tried everything and still experience slowdowns, it may be time to switch to the quickest, most reliable internet available. 100% Fiber Optic Internet2 is the only way to get equally fast upload and download speeds up to 8 Gig. And with Total Home Wi-Fi, you’ll enjoy consistent connections anywhere in your home.
Check for Lumos Fiber Internet near you today and explore our plans to never worry about slow internet speeds ever again.
