Here’s How This Quick Fix Could Boost Your Slow Internet Connection

Sometimes, the easiest fixes are the most overlooked. Before you upgrade your plan or buy a new router, let's go back to the basics. You're probably not getting all of the speed you're paying for with your internet plan. Average home internet speeds rarely mirror what our internet service providers advertise -- even if your provider delivers those speeds to your home.

So, what slows down an internet connection? If you can determine that an ISP isn't throttling your connection, a few other factors can slow your actual, in-home internet speeds. Router issues are most common, and the solution may be as simple as restarting your modem and router or upgrading to a mesh network for a more permanent fix.

But before you do anything permanent, you need to start with a simple speed test to know what you're working with. Read on for some tips you can follow to improve your connection.

First things first: Understand your download and upload speeds

If you've been shopping for home internet, you've probably heard your ISP mention these terms a few times. But what do they mean? Simply put, upload speeds tell you how fast you can send data to the internet. That would typically happen when you're on a Zoom call or gaming online. Download speeds, however, tell you how fast you can pull data from the internet. That comes into play when you're streaming in HD. If you're looking at a cable connection, you will likely have asymmetrical speeds. But a fiber-optic connection can deliver symmetrical speeds (when your download and upload are the same).

Why is this so important? According to OpenVault's second quarter 2024 report, certain activities can drive your upstream traffic more. For instance, if you send large files, stream consistently, excessively game or use smart home devices on your network, this can eat away at your speeds. That being said, understanding how much download and upload speeds your household is getting is the first step to tackling what's next.

Run a speed test on your computer, phone or tablet

Testing the download and upload speeds of your internet connection is the best way to start troubleshooting a slow connection, and a variety of free apps and websites perform that test for you. Some more popular speed test services include Speedtest.net, Fast.com or CloudFlare. CNET recommends Ookla as the best speed test online because it's known for its consistency, and users can also access their speed test history when creating an account. (Ooka is owned by the same parent company as CNET, Ziff Davis.)

Whether you install an app or use a website, it's a good idea to run the test a few times at different points of the day to get a sense of your connection's performance. Each test will take under a minute to complete and offer the download and upload speed results. 

The Federal Communications Commission published a guideline for household broadband speeds based on the number of devices and people connected to the same network. Basic service ranges from 3 megabits per second to 8Mbps and will be good enough for light usage (browsing, email, video calls, streaming HD video, etc.).

The FCC gives some recommendations on how fast a connection you'll need based on your usage.

FCC/Screenshot by CNET

Medium service is classified as 12-25Mbps and is best for up to three users or devices simultaneously, with medium to high usage depending on the activity. Finally, advanced service is any connection speed over 25Mbps and is best suited for those with more than four users or devices using the connection simultaneously for more than light usage. Despite the household broadband guidelines, the FCC defines a broadband connection as 100Mbps download and 20Mbps upload. Even if you're using different levels of bandwidth throughout the day, you should have a minimum internet connection of at least 100Mbps for consistent, reliable speeds.

Your internet connection's speed will vary based on the time of day, the number of devices connected and in use, and other factors. I suggest running multiple speed tests for a day or two and tracking the results to gauge your connection's true speed. 

(For our tech-savvy readers, you can use Raspberry Pi to run speed tests on a set schedule and upload the results to Google Drive to monitor by following this handy guide.)

Ideally, you'd connect your computer directly to your ISP's modem with an Ethernet cable to run a speed test, but that's not always possible. Another option is to use your wireless router's app. 

A speed test is a quick and easy way to determine if something's wrong. 

Ookla/Screenshot by CNET

Do a speed test on your wireless router

Depending on your wireless router, you might be able to run a speed test through its dedicated app. For example, Google's Nest Wi-Fi can run a speed test in the app or ask Google Assistant how fast your internet connection is. 

Eero, Linksys and Asus ZenWifi routers also include the same capability, although not all support asking a smart speaker to run the test. It's best to start by looking at a dedicated app. 

Using your wireless router's speed test may prove to be more accurate -- in theory, at least -- because the router is connected directly to your modem. 

You don't have to rush out and buy a new router if the speed test results are lower than you expect or are paying for. It could be the issue, depending on its age. Router technology, like any other technology, often changes, and that can lead to performance issues. For example, if you have cable internet most ISPs recommend a DOCSIS 3.1 modem or gateway to handle higher speeds.

There's potentially more than one reason your internet may be slow. 

Ry Crist/CNET

What should you do if your speeds are slower than expected

It's a simple solution, but a winning one: turn off your modem and wireless router for about 60 seconds and then turn them back on. Most of the time, this fixes most speed issues. CNET's former writer Ry Crist has further tips on how to get better, faster Wi-Fi to help you get your network back to working as it should. If you're having trouble with gigabit speeds at home, read how one of our writers troubleshooted her speeds at home.

If your speeds stay slow, you can check your provider's app or website for outages. For example, the first thing to do when your Comcast Xfinity connection is acting flaky is to open the Xfinity My Account app and look for any service issues. The app will give you an estimated restoration time when there is one. Knowing that the issue isn't anything on your end means you can forgo any troubleshooting.

Additionally, you can call your provider to ensure your modem or gateway supports your plan's speed or to see if there are plans or promotions that will be worth an upgrade.

If none of those solutions prove effective, the issue may be your internet connection type. Speeds offered by DSL, fixed wireless and cable providers are often slower than a fiber connection's lightning-fast reliability. If fiber is available to you, consider an upgrade. If not, it may be time to jump into a higher speed tier with your ISP to ensure your internet connection stays fast and reliable.