🔧 Troubleshooting Slow Internet

Step-by-step guide to fix connection issues

🩺 Quick Diagnostic

Answer a few questions to identify your issue

✅ Quick Fixes Checklist (Try These First!)

🐌

Slow Download Speeds

Pages load slowly, downloads take forever

  1. Test your speed: Run our speed test to confirm it's actually slow (not just perception)
  2. Compare to your plan: Check what speed you're paying for (ISP bill/website)
  3. Check for network congestion: Close all apps/devices using internet, test again
  4. Restart router/modem: Unplug both for 30 seconds, plug modem first, then router
  5. Try Ethernet: WiFi can be 30-50% slower than wired - plug directly into router
  6. Update router firmware: Check manufacturer website for latest updates
  7. Contact ISP: If still slow, you may have line issues or need a service call
📡

Connection Keeps Dropping

Internet disconnects randomly, then reconnects

  1. Check cables: Ensure all cables (coax, ethernet, power) are firmly connected
  2. Look for interference: Move router away from microwaves, cordless phones, baby monitors
  3. Overheating: Make sure router has ventilation, isn't covered or in direct sunlight
  4. Too many devices: Disconnect smart home devices to see if one is causing issues
  5. ISP outage: Check ISP's status page or social media for known outages
  6. Old equipment: If router is 5+ years old, it may be failing
  7. Call ISP: May be issues with signal strength, line quality, or neighborhood congestion
🎮

High Ping / Lag in Games

Delayed responses, rubber-banding, stuttering

  1. Use Ethernet: Wired connections have 50-80% lower ping than WiFi
  2. Close background apps: Steam, Discord, Chrome tabs can add latency
  3. Prioritize gaming traffic: Enable QoS (Quality of Service) in router settings
  4. Choose closer servers: Select game servers in your region
  5. Disable VPN: VPNs add 20-100ms latency
  6. Check for uploads: Cloud backups can cause lag spikes
  7. Consider upgrade: Gaming needs low ping - fiber or cable better than DSL
📶

Weak WiFi Signal

Slow speeds far from router, dead zones in home

  1. Router placement: Place router centrally, elevated (shelf/wall mount), away from walls
  2. Avoid obstacles: WiFi weakens through walls, metal, water (fish tanks, refrigerators)
  3. Change WiFi channel: Neighbors' networks can interfere - try channels 1, 6, or 11
  4. Upgrade to 5GHz: Less congested than 2.4GHz, faster (but shorter range)
  5. Add WiFi extender: Boost signal to far rooms (mesh systems work best)
  6. Update router: WiFi 6 routers offer better range and speed
  7. Check antenna position: Point antennas perpendicular for best coverage

⚠️ 2.4GHz vs 5GHz

2.4GHz: Longer range, penetrates walls better, but slower (max ~100 Mbps) and more interference

5GHz: Faster speeds (up to 1300+ Mbps), less interference, but shorter range

Tip: Use 5GHz for devices near router (gaming, 4K streaming), 2.4GHz for far devices (smart home)

🔐

WiFi Connected But No Internet

Device shows connected but pages won't load

  1. Restart device: Turn WiFi off/on, or restart device
  2. Forget and reconnect: Delete WiFi network from device, reconnect with password
  3. Check router internet: See if router's internet light is on
  4. Restart router/modem: Power cycle both devices
  5. DNS issues: Change DNS to Google (8.8.8.8) or Cloudflare (1.1.1.1)
  6. IP conflict: Assign static IP in router or renew DHCP lease
  7. Router firmware: Update to latest version
🔌

Slow Ethernet Connection

Wired connection slower than expected

  1. Check cable quality: Use Cat5e (1 Gbps) or Cat6 (10 Gbps) cables, not old Cat5
  2. Cable length: Ethernet degrades over 100 meters - use shorter cables
  3. Damaged cables: Bent, crushed, or chewed cables need replacement
  4. Port negotiation: Check if port is negotiating at full speed (1000 Mbps not 100 Mbps)
  5. Network card drivers: Update Ethernet adapter drivers
  6. Router ports: Some cheap routers have slow (100 Mbps) Ethernet ports
  7. Test different port: Router port may be faulty

⚠️ How to Check Link Speed (Windows)

  1. Open Settings → Network & Internet → Ethernet
  2. Look for "Link speed" - should show 1000 Mbps for gigabit
  3. If showing 100 Mbps, you have a bottleneck (cable, port, or device)
⚙️

Advanced Router Settings

Optimize router configuration for better performance

Access Router Settings

  1. Open browser and visit your router's IP (usually 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1)
  2. Login with admin credentials (check router label if you haven't changed it)

Recommended Settings

  • QoS (Quality of Service): Prioritize gaming/video calls over downloads
  • WiFi Channel: Use WiFi analyzer app to find least congested channel
  • Channel Width: 20MHz for 2.4GHz (less interference), 40/80MHz for 5GHz (faster)
  • Security: Use WPA3 or WPA2 (not WEP/WPA - outdated and slow)
  • Guest Network: Separate network for guests/IoT devices
  • Firmware: Always use latest firmware for security and performance
🛠️

Network Diagnostic Commands

Use command line tools to diagnose issues

Windows Commands

# Test connection to website

ping google.com

# Trace route to find where slowdown occurs

tracert google.com

# Release and renew IP address

ipconfig /release

ipconfig /renew

# Flush DNS cache

ipconfig /flushdns

Mac/Linux Commands

# Test connection

ping -c 10 google.com

# Trace route

traceroute google.com

# Renew DHCP lease (Mac)

sudo ipconfig set en0 DHCP

# Flush DNS (Mac)

sudo dscacheutil -flushcache

Still Having Issues?

We're here to help! Contact our support team or check more resources.

Contact Support View FAQ