Troubleshooting PAYG INTERNET broadband performance problems

Before you start troubleshooting the speed of your PAYG INTERNET broadband connection, we recommend that you perform a PAYG INTERNET Broadband Speed Test to benchmark your current internet speed.

Also find out the guaranteed minimum download speed you on your broadband package from PAYG INTERNET.

You can find this info by checking your PAYG INTERNET broadband bill, your PAYG INTERNET contract or by contacting PAYG INTERNET.

Potential causes of PAYG INTERNET’s slow internet performance

Is it the PAYG INTERNET broadband that is slow or could it be your device (laptop/smartphone/PC)?

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

The performance problem may be due to over-utilization of your device’s resources e.g Memory/CPU and not an issue with PAYG INTERNET’s broadband connection.

If you are on a PC then you can use the task manager to see your CPU and Memory utilization.

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

Re-run the PAYG INTERNET Speedtest on your computer and your mobile to check how the speed test results differ between the two devices.

Hopefully this should give you more information to help determine if the problem is with your device or the PAYG INTERNET internet connection.

• What exactly does the PAYG INTERNET download and upload speed mean?
• Who’s the best Broadband Service Provider in the UK?
• Five tips to speed up your PAYG INTERNET Internet speed
• Simple DNS tip to improve internet browsing speed on PAYG INTERNET

Is the wireless network the issue?

The cause of the performance problem could be your Wifi network as opposed to the PAYG INTERNET broadband internet connection.

You could rule out the Wifi by connecting your computer directly into the PAYG INTERNET broadband router with a network cable and run the PAYG INTERNET Speed test again.

If the result is better when you’re connected by an ethernet cable, this suggests that the issue could be with your internal wireless network.

A number of things to look further into:

• Are the WiFi channels that you’re using for your Wifi network network (SSID) overlapping with the neighbours?
• Is your Wifi network signal from the wireless router obstructed?
• Does your performance get better when your are stood right in-front of the PAYG INTERNET broadband router?

Exactly who’s connected to my Wifi network?

Have you checked that your Wi-Fi network password has not been shared? Do you have an open wireless network? How complex is your Wifi network password? It may be time to update it.

Neighbors could be on your Wi-Fi network and using up all the PAYG INTERNET speed by downloading, uploading or even streaming music or videos over your PAYG INTERNET internet connection! Worse than that, they could be carrying out illegal activities using your PAYG INTERNET broadband connection.

There are three apps that you can utlise to scan your wireless network to check who is connected:

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

The above software scan your wireless network and produce a list of the connected devices.

• How to see who is on your PAYG INTERNET wireless network

Should I get a Wi-Fi network booster for my PAYG INTERNET broadband?

You may find that you have Wifi coverage gaps in your home, a wireless network extender also known as a Wifi Booster may be the best solution to strengthen your Wi-Fi signal to cover any coverage gaps.

• Best Wi-Fi Signal Boosters

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

Position the Wi-Fi network booster near the position where your Wifi signal from the PAYG INTERNET internet router is becoming weaker.

Place it near where your Wifi signal is dropping down to two bars. Walk around your property with a smartphone to find where this is.

When was the last time you upgraded the PAYG INTERNET broadband router?

The PAYG INTERNET and broadband infrastructure, in general, are constantly upgraded to support new features and improve reliability as technology evolves.  Ensure that the PAYG INTERNET broadband router is running the most up-to-date software.

The majority of PAYG INTERNET internet routers allow you to carry out the software upgrade by simply logging on the PAYG INTERNET broadband router and simply clicking on a button to start the update.

If you can’t do this, get in touch with PAYG INTERNET and they will be able to do this for you or guide you through the process.

In addition to upgrading the software, if you have had the same hardware for a long period, it may be worth talking to PAYG INTERNET to ask for a router upgrade.

Is the cause of the problem outside your property (at the exchange)?

This is probably the most likely cause for PAYG INTERNET broadband performance issues in your area and it’s more common for internet broadband connections that are delivered via copper phone lines.

If you are not sure if this is relevant in your case, contact PAYG INTERNET who should be able to run the appropriate line tests to see if there is a fault on the PAYG INTERNET internet connection.

Is the issue due to PAYG INTERNET Internet congestion?

If you’re finding that the PAYG INTERNET internet connection speed in your area is slows down during certain periods e.g over weekends and during the evening, then it may be due to congestion during peak times.

• What is Broadband Contention Ratio and does PAYG INTERNET have contention?

You should contact PAYG INTERNET to check your guaranteed speed.

Test your PAYG INTERNET broadband connection

After the problem has been resolved either by yourself or PAYG INTERNET, retest your broadband connection using  at least 2 separate Speedtests to ensure the problem is resolved:

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