How to Increase Internet Speed

Most people are so used to having a fast Internet connection that they can’t even remember slow dial-up Internet. However, if you test Internet speed, you might get a nasty surprise and find out that your Internet is slower than the speed claimed by your ISP. That’s why it’s important to know what you can do to speed up Internet without having to change your ISP. Here are a few tips on how to increase Internet speed.

Get an independent Internet speed test

If your Internet connection feels slow, the first thing you should do is test Internet speed. To do that, go to speedtest.net, select the server that is located near you and run the test. Record the download and upload speed. Run the test at least three times to ensure the most accurate results. If possible, run the speed test during peak hours and during off-peak hours to compare the results.

Contact your ISP

If you discover that your Internet speed is significantly slower than the one promised by your ISP, get in touch with their technical support team. The problem might be at their end and they might be able to quickly solve everything for you.

Check your router settings

If you are using a router, the first thing you should do is reboot it. If your router hasn’t been rebooted for a long time, it can be responsible for Internet speed loss. Rebooting your router is an effective way how to increase internet speed. Before you reboot your router, disconnect your PC from the Internet and power it down. Then press the reboot/power button on the router. Launch your computer and connect to the Internet. Browsing speed should return to normal. If not, refer to your router’s manual and check its settings.

Delete malware and spyware

Viruses, malware and spyware use Internet connection to transmit data to their “masters”. This means that they use your bandwidth and thus make your Internet slow. Removing malware and spyware will not only speed up Internet, but also protect you from data theft and serious computer problems.

Control your bandwidth

Some of your applications can be stealing your bandwidth with you none the wiser. The more bandwidth they use up, the slower your Internet becomes. So if you have applications like uTorrent, Skype, Windows Live Messenger, various updaters, and so on running in the background, you should disable them when you are not using them. To identify the applications that are using up bandwidth, check your system tray for icons and the Task Manager for data-hungry processes.

Keep your computer in top form

Sometimes it’s not your Internet connection that is slow, but your whole system. Keeping your computer well-maintained will not only make it run faster, but will also speed up Internet. That’s why you should regularly clean up junk files, defragment hard drives and repair registry errors.