How to troubleshoot 1-2-Free broadband speed problems

Before you begin troubleshooting the performance of your 1-2-Free broadband connection, we recommend that you run a 1-2-Free Internet Speed Test to benchmark your current internet speed.

You may also want to confirm the guaranteed minimum download speed that you have subscribed to from 1-2-Free.

You can find this info by checking your 1-2-Free broadband bill, your 1-2-Free contract or by contacting 1-2-Free.

Likely causes of 1-2-Free’s slow internet performance

Is it the 1-2-Free internet connection that is running slow or could it be your device (PC/laptop/phone)?

You need to check how many applications are running on your device.

The performance problem may be due to over-utilisation of your device’s resources i.e RAM/CPU Processor and as opposed to an issue with 1-2-Free’s broadband connection.

If you are on a computer then you can use the task manager to check your Processor and Memory usage.

On any other device, you should try restarting the device which should hopefully shutdown all programs that may be using up system resources.

Run the 1-2-Free Speedtest on your computer and your mobile to see how the results compare between the two devices.

Hopefully this should give you more information to help determine whether the problem lies with your PC/Smartphone or the 1-2-Free broadband connection.

• What does the 1-2-Free download and upload speed mean?
• Who is the best Broadband Service Provider in the UK?
• 5 tips to speed up your 1-2-Free broadband speed
• Simple DNS tip to speed up internet browsing speed on 1-2-Free

Is your Wifi network the cause of the slowness?

The root cause of the performance issue may be your Wifi and not the 1-2-Free broadband connection.

You can rule out the Wi-Fi network by connecting your PC directly into the 1-2-Free broadband router using a network cable and then run the 1-2-Free Speed checker again.

If the performance is better when you are connected by a network cable, this proves that the issue may be with the Wi-Fi network.

A number of things to look further into:

• Are the WiFi channels that you are using for your Wifi network (SSID) overlapping with your neighbors?
• Is your wireless signal from the internet router obstructed?
• Does the speed get better when your are standing directly in-front of the 1-2-Free internet router?

Who is connected to my Wifi network?

Have you checked that your Wifi network password has not been compromised? Do you have an un-secured Wi-Fi network? How complex is your Wi-Fi network password? It could be time to change it.

Neighbours could be on your wireless network and using up all the 1-2-Free speed by downloading, uploading or even streaming music or videos over your 1-2-Free broadband connection! Worse still, they may be conducting illegal activities on your 1-2-Free broadband connection.

There are 3 applications that you can potentially use to analyse your Wi-Fi network to see who’s connected:

• Windows users can use Wireless network watcher
• IOS users can use whoFi (who is on my Wifi)
• Wireless troubleshooting application WiFi Analyzer

The above apps will scan your wireless network and display a list of the everything on your wifi.

• How to check who is on your 1-2-Free Wifi network

Do I need a wireless network booster for my 1-2-Free broadband?

If you discover that there are Wi-Fi black holes in your property, a Wifi extender aka a Wifi Booster may be the best fix to strengthen your wireless signal to cover any black spots.

• Cheapest Wi-Fi Signal Boosters

The wireless booster simply picks up your existing Wi-Fi network signal just as it is becoming weaker and re-transmits the Wi-Fi network signal to increase it’s reach.

Place the Wi-Fi network booster where your wireless signal from your 1-2-Free internet router is starting to become weaker.

Position it near where your Wifi signal drops down to less than two bars. Walk around your house with a tablet to determine where this is.

When was the last time you upgraded the 1-2-Free broadband router?

The 1-2-Free and broadband infrastructure, in general, are constantly upgraded to provide new features and improve performance as technology evolves.  Ensure that the 1-2-Free internet router is running the most up-to-date software.

Most 1-2-Free internet routers allow you to carry out the software update by logging into the 1-2-Free broadband router and simply clicking on a button to do the update.

If you can’t do this, contact 1-2-Free and they will do this for you or alternatively, guide you through the process.

In addition to updating the software, if you have had the same router for a long period, it may be worth speaking to 1-2-Free to ask for a router upgrade.

Is the issue outside your property (at the exchange)?

This is probably the most common reason for 1-2-Free broadband performance issues in your property and is more common for broadband connections that are delivered through phone lines.

If you’re not sure if this is relevant in your case, you should contact 1-2-Free who will be able to run the appropriate line tests to check if there is a issue on the 1-2-Free internet line.

Is it due to 1-2-Free Internet congestion?

If you are finding that the 1-2-Free broadband connection speed in your area is slow during certain periods e.g over weekends and evenings, then it may be because of congestion during peak times.

• What is Broadband Contention Ratio and does 1-2-Free have contention?

You should contact 1-2-Free to find out your guaranteed speed.

Test your 1-2-Free broadband connection

After the fault has been resolved either by yourself or 1-2-Free, re-test the broadband connection using  at least two separate Speedtests to ensure the issue is resolved:

• • Use the ookla internet broadband speed test to test your 1-2-Free broadband
  • Test your 1-2-Free connection speed using Ookla Offical Speed Test
  • Test your 1-2-Free broadbandspeed using fast.com speed test
  • Check My Broadband Speed Checker 1-2-Free internet speed checker
  • • 0845UK Broadband Speed Checker and troubleshooting