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When you try to buy a flight while finishing a work project and submit an important email and your internet bails, you start to wonder if your internet speed is…dangerously slow. Contrary to what you may think, testing your internet speed is easier than you think. The solution could be as simple as restarting your Wi-Fi modem. Follow the steps below to test your internet speed.
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When to Test Your Internet Speed
If your Wi-Fi is lagging, while loading a website or streaming your favorite show, now is a good time to troubleshoot. The best starting point is to check your internet’s speed.
What Is a Good Internet Speed?
A “good internet speed” depends on several factors, such as your daily internet usage, how many people in your home are utilizing the internet and what you are using the internet for (i.e., working from home, streaming Netflix or online gaming). Therefore, as a basic rule of thumb, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has set the minimum standard for broadband internet as 25 Mbps for download and 3 Mbps for upload. However, it is recommended that a good download speed is at least 100 Mbps, while a good upload speed is at least 10 Mbps.
Understanding an Internet Speed Test
Mbps
An internet speed test measures a few variables in Mbps including download speed, upload speed, and latency. Internet speed is assessed in bits per second, thus Mbps stands for megabits per second (a million bits per second). Gbps denotes a billion bits per second, so 1,000 Mbps equates to one Gbps.
Download Speed
Bandwidth, also known as download speed, assesses how quickly information travels from the internet to your device. This metric is important when streaming your favorite show or downloading a program.
Upload Speed
Upload speed measures how quickly your device can send information to another location online, like uploading photos to social media.
Latency
Lag, also known as latency, denotes the time it takes for a signal to be sent form your device to your internet service provider and come back. A higher latency warrants a higher rate of buffering when attempting to stream video.
Internet Speed 101
Internet Service Providers offer different tiers of service and different speeds depending on your needs. Generally, there are five different kinds of internet: dial-up, satellite, DSL, Cable and Fiber.
Dial-up internet is one of the cheapest options on the market, but it’s also the slowest. You get what you pay for. It’s not capable of online video streaming and tops out around 0.05 Mbps.
Satellite internet connects wirelessly to your home via a satellite signal and is capable of streaming Netflix. Generally speaking, it’s expensive for what it is and runs slower than other kinds of internet with a high latency, ranging from 5 to 25 Mbps. The perk of satellite internet is that it provides service from any location, no matter how rural or remote.
DSL, a digital subscriber line, provides internet via phone networks, but it’s more efficient than dial-up, ranging from 0.5 to 75 Mbps. The efficiency of DSL is impacted by your router’s distance from your ISP’s main office.
Cable internet employs copper wiring, similar to cable TV. Speeds run between 25 and 1,000 Mbps with higher download and upload speeds. In most scenarios, cable internet is shared between neighbors, so this option runs slow during peak hours of internet use.
Via fiber-optic cables, fiber internet runs the fastest and most reliable Wi-Fi ranging from 50 to 2,000 Mbps. With these options, your uploads run at the same speed as your downloads.
How to Test Your Internet Speed
1. Administer a Speed Test on Your Computer
The internet offers several websites that provide free Wi-Fi speed tests. We recommend Speedtest.net, Fast.com, or CloudFlare. Each test should take 60 seconds or less, providing download and upload speeds. Conduct a few Wi-Fi tests for optimal results.
W-Fi usage varies from person to person and amongst households, thus so does the Wi-Fi speed you’ll need. The Federal Communications Commission published a guide on broadband speeds depending on the number of people and devices on one network. Standard service, recommended for light usage, ranges from three to eight Mbps. Medium service, recommended for three users/devices, ranges from 12 to 25 Mbps. For any household with over four users/devices, a high service tier with over 25 Mbps is suggested.
Remember that your internet speed changes based on the time of day and the number of devices running on the router. In an ideal scenario, you’d run an Ethernet cord to your ISP’s modem, but this may not be an option.
2. Administer a Speed Test On Your Phone or Tablet
Similar to administering a speed test on your computer, you can also administer a speed test on your phone or tablet using sites such as Speedtest.net, Fast.com, or CloudFlare.
3. Administer a Speed Test on Your Wi-Fi Router’s App
Some Wi-Fi routers have designated apps for speed tests. Google Nest, Eero, Linksys Velop, and Asus ZenWifi have this option. Typically, this is the most accurate test of Wi-Fi speed.
If your Wi-Fi speed is lower than expected or desired, buying a new router isn’t necessarily the answer. But if your router is ancient, this may be the ultimate solution.
4. Evaluate the Results of Your Wi-Fi Speed Test
The results of an internet speed test are useless if you’re unable to interpret them. Review your download speeds to see how quickly files will download, your video streaming capabilities and how many devices your Wi-Fi can support. Naturally, DSL speeds will be slower. With cable internet, it could be running slow due to congestion from other homes also on cable.
If latency is lower than 20 milliseconds (ms), your Wi-Fi should be running fine. However, if latency is above 150 ms, there will be problems with lag. If you’re having lag issues, your router could just be old and needs to be replaced, or try upgrading to fiber for a lower latency.
If you’ve followed the above steps and are still having Wi-Fi issues, malware, an old router, ISP problems, or broken hardware could be the culprit. Run an antivirus software to detect malware.
How to Get an Accurate Wi-Fi Speed
Turn off Automatic Downloads Temporarily
View the task manager on your computer to ensure large files aren’t being downloaded or updated. Shut down all programs running on your computer.
Cut Unwanted Users
If an unwanted user is using a large portion of your internet’s bandwidth, you’re not going to get an accurate speed test. Ask users to pause their Netflix binge while your run a speed test. Change the Wi-Fi password if unrecognized users are on your network.
Check for Issues With Your Router
It’s not a bad idea to plug your Wi-Fi router directly into an Ethernet cord when running an internet speed test. It’s important to test your internet speed where you typically use your computer. If you plug your computer directly into your router and there’s a significant increase in internet speed, then it might be time to upgrade your router.
Featured Partners
1
T-Mobile
Customer Reviews
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Number of States Covered
27
3
AT&T Internet
Customer Reviews
Excellent
Number of States Covered
21
What to Do if Your Wi-Fi Is Slow
Turn off your Wi-Fi modem for 30 seconds, then turn it back on. This is usually a quick fix for laggy internet speeds. If you’re still struggling, check out this piece on how to increase your internet speed.
Calling your internet provider and complaining about the slow service isn’t a solution if your provider is throttling your connection speed. Also, check your internet provider’s website and see if they’ve noted an outage. If your provider has noted an issue, then there’s no need for you to troubleshoot.
As a last effort, call your internet provider to determine whether your Wi-Fi modem supports your internet plan’s speed, or if there’s a promotion worthy of an upgrade for faster internet speeds.
What to Do if Your Wi-Fi Is Slower Than It Should Be
We all know the irritating feeling when your website takes too long to load, or an email takes too long to send. If your internet speed slows when you’re in different locations in your home, it is a sign that your Wi-Fi signal is weak, and there must be a disruption to your signal (i.e., a concrete wall).
If you suspect this is your problem, a Wi-Fi booster should be able to help. You can plug a Wi-Fi booster into an outlet in the space where you need faster internet. If your problem with your slow internet speed continues, distance or obstacles may not be the issue. Then it is recommended to update or upgrade your router.
When to Call a Pro
If none of the above solutions work, it’s time to switch to a new ISP. You should look for a reputable internet service provider in your area for the best solution.
