 Connect Free broadband Speed test
Simply click on the “Go” button on the Ookla Speed Checker to test the internet speed of your Connect Free internet connection.
Details on how to troubleshoot problems with your Connect Free broadband are in the sections below the Ookla Speed checker widget.
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How to troubleshoot Connect Free broadband speed problems
Before starting to troubleshoot the performance of your Connect Free internet connection, we suggest that you run a Connect Free Internet Speedtest to measure your current broadband speed.
Also find out the guaranteed minimum download speed that you have subscribed to from Connect Free.
You can find this info by checking your Connect Free broadband bill, your Connect Free contract or by contacting Connect Free.
Possible causes of Connect Free’s slow broadband speed
Is it the Connect Free broadband that is slow or is it your device (PC/laptop/phone)?
You need to consider how many apps are currently running on your device.
The speed issue may be due to the over-utilization of your system resources i.e RAM/memory/CPU and not a problem with Connect Free’s broadband connection.
If you are on a laptop then you may use the task manager to check your Processor and RAM usage.
On any other device, you could try rebooting the device which should hopefully shutdown all programs that may be hogging system resources.
Re-run the Connect Free Speedtest on your personal computer and your mobile to see how the speedtest results compare between the 2 devices.
This should hopefully give you some information to work with in terms of whether the issue is with your device or the Connect Free internet connection.
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Is the Wi-Fi network the cause of the issue?
The root cause of the performance issue may be your Wifi as opposed to the Connect Free broadband internet connection.
You could rule out the Wi-Fi network by simply connecting your PC directly to the Connect Free broadband router using an ethernet cable and run the Connect Free Speed test again.
If the speed is better when you’re connected using a network cable, this indicates that the problem may be with your Wifi network.
Possible things to check:
- Are the WiFi channels that you’re using for your Wi-Fi network network (SSID) overlapping with the neighbours?
- Is your Wifi network signal from the wireless router obstructed?
- Does the performance improve when you’re stood directly in-front of the Connect Free wireless router?
Who’s connected to my Wi-Fi network?
Have you checked that your Wi-Fi network password has not been hacked? Do you have an open Wi-Fi network? How complex is your wireless network password? It may be time to update it.
Neighbours could be using your Wi-Fi network and eating up all your Connect Free speed by downloading, uploading or even streaming music or video on your Connect Free broadband connection! Worse still, they could be conducting illegal activities using your Connect Free internet connection.
There are three apps to use to analyse your Wi-Fi network to see who is connected:
- Microsoft Windows users can use Wireless network watcher
- IOS users can use whoFi (who is on my Wifi)
- WiFi troubleshooting application WiFi Analyzer
The above software analyse your Wi-Fi network and show you a list of the devices connected.
Should I get a Wifi booster for my Connect Free broadband?
If you find that you have Wi-Fi coverage holes in your home, a Wi-Fi network extender also known as a wireless Booster is the best fix to strengthen your Wi-Fi signal to cover any black holes.
The Wifi network extender simply picks up the existing Wifi network signal just as it is starting to become weaker and re-transmits the Wifi network signal to increase it’s coverage.
Position the Wifi extender where your Wi-Fi network signal from the Connect Free internet router is starting to become weaker.
Position it near where your wireless network signal drops down to less than 2 bars. Walk around your property with a tablet to try and establish where this is.
When was the last time you upgraded the Connect Free internet router?
The Connect Free and broadband infrastructure, in general, are frequently updated to support new features and improve reliability as technology evolves. Always ensure that your Connect Free broadband internet router is running on the latest software.
The majority of Connect Free broadband routers allow you to carry out the software update by logging on the Connect Free broadband router and simply clicking a button to perform the upgrade.
If you cannot do this, get in touch with Connect Free and they will perform the upgrade for you or talk you through the process.
In addition to updating the software, if you have had router for a long period, it’s probably worth talking to Connect Free to request for a router upgrade.
Is the issue outside your property (at the exchange)?
This is probably the most likely reason for Connect Free broadband performance problems in your home and is more common for internet broadband connections that are delivered using copper phone lines.
If you’re not sure if this is applicable to you, you should contact Connect Free who should be able to carry out the relevant connection tests to see if there is a problem on the Connect Free broadband line.
Is it because of Connect Free Internet congestion?
If you are finding that the Connect Free internet connection speed in your area is slow during certain periods i.e. weekends and evenings, it may be because of congestion during peak hours.
You should speak to Connect Free to check your guaranteed speed.
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Re-testing your Connect Free internet connection
After the problem has been resolved either by yourself or Connect Free, retest the broadband connection using at least two separate Speedtests to ensure the problem is fixed: