How to Speed up your internet connection
Before considering ways to speed up your internet connection, you need to know what speed you actually pay for.
The speed advertised by your Internet Service Provider (ISP) tends to be an “up to” speed and therefore the top-end speed may not be achievable in your area.
If your internet package guarantees a minimum speed then you should expect this speed when you run a speed test.
Speak to your ISP to check what speeds are expected in your area/location.
You may find that your home can only achieve lower speeds because of your distance from the exchange.
Next, run a broadband speed test to check what speed you are receiving.
To get the most accurate results, make sure that you turn off any unnecessary devices that may be using your internet connection whilst you test the connection.
Connected your Laptop or PC directly to the router to rule out your wireless network. Your performance issues may be with your wireless network and not your internet connection speed.
Speeding up your internet connection
If your internet connection speed is not as expected here are 5 things you can do to potentially speed up your internet connection.
Clear any errors on your broadband router
First and foremost, reboot your broadband router. This will help re-establish and renegotiate your internet connection speed. It will also help clear any potential errors on your broadband router.
Check your broadband line checked for errors
Contact your ISP to ask them to carry out a connection check to make sure there are no errors on your line.
Eliminate wireless interference
If you connect via wireless (WiFi) you should try moving your router as far away as possible from other electronics devices that may cause interference to your WiFi signal.
Check and change your wireless channel
Change the channel on your wireless network. Wireless networks work on different channels and you may find that you are using the same channels as your neighbours which causes interference. This process is dependent on the make and model of your internet router. How to change your wireless network channel.
Secure your Wi-Fi network
Log onto your broadband router and make sure that they are no ‘uninvited’ guests logged onto your network (i.e hackers making use of your internet for free!).
If you find that there are devices connected that you don’t recognise you can either a) change your WiFi network password and reboot the router so that they are kicked out or b) change both the name (SSID) of your wireless network and the password and then reboot. You will have to sign in all your devices into the new network.
In addition to the above you can choose to hide your Wireless network (SSID) so that it is not broadcast and cannot be seen. Make sure you add all your devices onto your network first before you hide it.
If none of the above works and your internet connection remains unstable, it may be time to consider changing your internet service provider to a faster broadband provider.
Only consider moving your broadband after you are sure that the problem is with the service provider and not your internal wireless network due to the configuration, interference or a hardware fault.