A few years ago, we might have seen these topics headline the news and cause panic. Today, it’s common sense. So, if you’re having problems with your internet connection and are unsure what it is, read on to find out how to fix these issues and make your network faster than ever.
The Internet Is Essential to Modern Life
Internet connections are essential things that many of us take for granted in our day-to-day lives. Unfortunately, most of us don’t realize how much they affect our performance until something goes wrong. So, before you start searching for fiber internet in my area, it’s worth checking out the following:
1) Poor Wi-Fi Signal
A poor wi-fi signal could be the product of an old router that has not been updated in years, a jammer, such as a baby monitor, or a lack of available spectrum.
If your wi-fi is slow and you’re using your mobile phone as an internet connection, it might be a good idea to update your router or get a signal booster.
2) Bent Patch Cords
A patch cord is used to hardwire a piece of hardware, such as a PC, to the router. This cord must be undamaged. Bent patch cords can cause traffic to slow down due to the damaged copper wires in the cord.
3) Network Buffers
Network buffers are the space your network creates when you’re sending or receiving data, known as “fragmentation.” When there is a lot of traffic on the network, this can slow everything down. This can be caused by external factors, such as your internet service provider’s policies or congestion on your LAN, including your switch or router.
4) Too Many Devices
When your router has received a lot of data coming in and cannot send it out fast enough, it will “buffer” the data on the router. When there is a lack of buffers, your internet speeds will slow down. If you have more than 8 devices connected to your network at one time, you are most likely increasing the likelihood of having slower internet.
5) Wi-Fi Range
If you have a poor wi-fi range, your internet speed will not be as fast. To remedy this, you may need a router that can operate in multiple locations simultaneously.
6) Malware
Malware is the most common online threat. It slows down your network by randomly taking up bandwidth or even freezing your computer. If you think your computer may be infected, run a scan with Malwarebytes or another antimalware program. Most of these programs will have updated definitions that can fix any potential threats on your computer.
7) Distance from the Exchange
One of the main problems with your internet speed is the distance from the ISP’s exchange. Generally, a closer exchange will result in faster speeds, but this is not always the case. Smaller ISPs may have a much slower connection than larger ISPs that are farther away. In most cases, they will not accept any kind of challenges to their service claims.
The above tips can help reduce your internet connection speed issues. Even if you are not experiencing any problems, remaining up to date on these topics is a good idea.
