How to troubleshoot Now Broadband internet performance issues

Before starting to troubleshoot the performance of your Now Broadband broadband connection, we suggest that you run a Now Broadband Broadband Speed Test to measure your current broadband speed.

Also confirm the guaranteed minimum download speed you have subscribed to from Now Broadband.

You can get this info by checking a Now Broadband broadband bill, your Now Broadband contract or by contacting Now Broadband.

Potential causes of Now Broadband’s slow internet performance

Is it your Now Broadband internet connection that is running slow or could it be your device (laptop/smartphone/PC)?

You need to check the number of applications are currently running on your device.

The performance issue could be due to the over-utilisation of your system resources i.e RAM/memory/CPU Processor and as opposed to an issue with Now Broadband’s internet connection.

If you are on a PC then you can use the task manager to see your Processor and RAM utilisation.

On other device, you could try rebooting the device which should hopefully terminate all applications that may be using up your systems resources.

Run the Now Broadband Speed checker on your personal computer and your mobile to check how the results compare between the 2 devices.

This should hopefully provide you with some information to help determine if the problem is with your PC/Smartphone or the Now Broadband broadband connection.

• What does the Now Broadband download and upload speed mean?
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• Five methods to speed up your Now Broadband broadband speed
• Simple DNS hack to speed up internet browsing speed on Now Broadband

Is the wireless network the cause of the performance issue?

The cause of the performance problem could be your internal Wifi network as opposed to the Now Broadband broadband internet connection.

You could rule out the wireless network by connecting your PC directly into the Now Broadband broadband router with a network cable and then run the Now Broadband Speed test again.

If the speed improves when you are connected using an ethernet cable, this proves that the issue could be with the wireless network.

A number of things to investigate:

• Are the WiFi channels that you’re using for your wireless network (SSID) overlapping with your neighbors?
• Is your Wi-Fi network signal from the wireless router obstructed?
• Does the speed get better when you’re standing directly infront of the Now Broadband internet router?

Who is connected to my wireless network?

Have you checked that your wireless network password has not been shared? Do you have an open wireless network? How secure is your wireless network password? It could be time to change it.

Neighbours could be using your Wi-Fi network and eating up all your Now Broadband speed by downloading, uploading or even streaming music or video over your Now Broadband broadband connection! Worse than that, they could be carrying out illegal activities on your Now Broadband internet connection.

Here are three applications to utlise to scan your wireless network to see who’s connected:

• Microsoft Windows users can use Wireless network watcher
• Apple users can use whoFi (who is on my Wifi)
• wireless network troubleshooting tool WiFi Analyzer

The above applications will scan your Wi-Fi network and display a list of the devices connected.

• How to check who is on your Now Broadband Wifi network

Should I get a Wifi network booster for my Now Broadband broadband?

If you discover that you have wireless black spots at your home, a Wifi extender aka a wireless Booster is the best fix to strengthen your Wi-Fi signal to cover any coverage holes.

• Cheapest Wi-Fi Signal Boosters

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

Position the wireless network booster near where your Wi-Fi network signal from your Now Broadband internet router is starting to become weaker.

Position it near where your Wifi signal is dropping down to less than 2 bars. Walk around your house with a mobile phone to find where this is.

When did you last upgrade the Now Broadband broadband router?

The Now Broadband and broadband infrastructure, in general, are constantly updated to support new features and improve performance as technology evolves.  Always ensure that your Now Broadband internet router is running on the most up-to-date software.

Most Now Broadband internet routers allow you to carry out the software upgrade by logging into the Now Broadband broadband router and simply clicking a button to perform the upgrade.

If you can’t do this, contact Now Broadband and they will perform the upgrade for you or alternatively, talk you through the process.

As well as updating the software, if you have had the same router for a long period, it’s worth speaking to Now Broadband to request for a router upgrade.

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

This is probably the most common reason for Now Broadband broadband performance issues in your area and is more common with broadband connections that are delivered through copper phone lines.

If you’re not sure if this is applicable to you, you should contact Now Broadband who should be able to run the appropriate line checks to see if there is a problem on the Now Broadband broadband line.

Is the issue due to Now Broadband Internet congestion?

If you’re finding that the Now Broadband broadband connection speed in your area is slow during certain times e.g over weekends or evenings, then it may be due to congestion during peak hours.

• What’s Broadband Contention Ratio and does Now Broadband have contention?

You should contact Now Broadband to check your guaranteed speed.

Re-testing your Now Broadband broadband connection

After the issue has been fixed either by yourself or Now Broadband, re-test your broadband connection using  at least 2 independent Speedtests to ensure the problem is fixed:

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