Top Reasons Why Internet on Wi-Fi Slows Down
There are many reasons that your internet speeds may suddenly drop. From power outages to device failures, anything can happen. So don’t be quick to blame your Spectrum internet packages bandwidth. You can fix the slow speed issue yourself. Read on below to find out how you can apply fixes in different circumstances.
Reduce the Number of Users
One of the reasons your Wi-Fi may be working slow is due to the connection of many devices. Limit the number of devices that can connect to it. The bandwidth that comes from the internet service provider has a limit. If more users are sharing the same network, then the speed is going to slow down. Apart from this, you can also take steps in requesting the users to refrain from downloading heavy files.
Use a Wi-Fi Key
Never allow unauthorized users to connect to your Wi-Fi connection. They may start downloading heavy files and this may choke the network. Instead, secure the network with a WPA key. Only people with access to this key will be able to connect to the Wi-Fi. If you have underage children, only connect their devices to the network under your supervision. This will also help to speed up the network.
Install an Antivirus
On your laptop or computer, make sure to install an antivirus. The reason is that harmful programs such as malware and ransomware can find their way into your PC. There, they can keep running in the background and using your network resources. An antivirus will enable you to run a scan regularly. It will quarantine the harmful files and delete them later on. This will allow you to experience better internet speeds.
Limit Your Usage
Many users waste their free time using the internet. They simply go to social media websites and spend their time there. In such cases, moderation is key since this behavior may end up affecting the internet speeds as well as the data caps. During leisure time, physical sports or other healthy activities can be more beneficial. Apart from this, downloading heavy files that you are not going to use is also going to affect internet speeds. Therefore, make sure to download only necessary files.
Update Your Device
Keeping your computer up-to-date is necessary. This practice helps to update the drivers as well. A computer running on older capabilities will not be able to provide you good internet speeds. Therefore, it is important to look for updates regularly.
Update Your Router’s Firmware
Your router’s firmware may be outdated. Updating it may restore internet speeds. Check for updates regularly. Do note that a router’s hardware may start malfunctioning too. If such is the case, then you may need to buy a new one. A router does not cost a lot, thankfully. Calling a technician home to thoroughly have a look at it may be a good idea too. Otherwise, simply head to the nearest electrical store and buy it. Do make sure to keep the connections tight as well. If they are loose, you may not be able to experience good internet speeds.
Power Outages
Power outages may occur leading to the complete stoppage of internet services. Your ISP may announce this on their social media pages or send a text message to your phone. In such a case, the only option is patience until their service is back up.
Refrain from Playing Games in HD
Many online games use a lot of internet data. If you are an avid online gamer, then it is necessary to follow the upcoming advice. Make sure to play your game on a standard mode instead of HD mode. If you are playing the game in high-definition, chances are that the other users in the home will experience slow internet speeds. You may also experience lag and high pings. This will affect your gaming experience. Turning the HD feature off is a good option particularly when your internet service package provides lower bandwidths.
Streaming Movies
If the bandwidth speeds in your internet package are low, then you may need to reconsider streaming high-definition movies. HD movies are large data files and streaming them requires higher bandwidth speeds. If you stream movies, then the internet speeds on other devices in the home will naturally suffer. However, if you are not using them, then streaming your favorite show or movie may be a good idea.