How to Increase your Internet Speed at Home
Published on 29 October 14
James0
We often hear that the speeds delivered by Internet Service Providers do not reach those they advertise. Whilst this may be the case on some occasions, there are also steps that we can take at home to ensure we are getting the highest speeds possible for our lines.
Start with a Baseline
Before you attempt to increase your internet speed at home it is best to check your starting point, so that you can measure if the changes you make are effective. Just search for ‘speed tests’ and you will be provided with a range of sites where you can check your internet speed.
Not all speed tests will give you the same results, as it will depend on factors such as where the servers are based. Therefore, it is probably wise to run a few different ones to take an average.
Connectivity Matters
The second step is to make sure your cabling is up to the job. This is particularly important if you have more than one computer or laptop networked together and sharing the same internet access.
ADS Digital advises that Ethernet technology is key to ensuring reliable, fast internet speeds. Therefore, try to hard-wire as many of your devices as possible, rather than relying solely on Wi-Fi. Not only will this ensure higher speeds for the hardware connected via Ethernet cabling, but it will also offer better connectivity for your wireless devices such as phones and tablets.
Replace Your Router
Your router is also an important element in your quest for high internet speeds, so consider the following:
-· If the router is very old it may be time to upgrade. Newer models usually offer improved connectivity and speed over outdated versions
-· If your router, cabling or connections are loose or dusty, this could be causing issues. A can of compressed air, which can be bought at your local computer store, can quickly clear dirt and dust. If any cables or connectors are loose it is time to replace them
-· Make sure your router isn’t covered by anything as it needs to retain proper ventilation in order not to overheat. Electrical components need to be kept as cool as possible to run smoothly and to avoid any fire risks
-· If your router is a Wi-Fi version then a poor signal can lead to slower speeds and dropped connections. Move your computer and router closer together to improve speeds
-· Lastly if you are using a wireless network then make sure it is password secured. If not, aside from the issue of people being able to access what you are doing, they could also be stealing your bandwidth and consequently lowering your speeds.
Limit Your Devices
If you are using multiple devices across the same network, especially if some of these are being used for playing games or viewing videos, then you will see a drop in speed. Therefore, switch off any devices not in use, such as mobiles or tablets.
Clean Up Your PC
There is also much that can be done on your PC itself to speed up your internet connectivity.
1. Viruses and Malware: These can significantly slow down both your computer and internet speed, so ensure you run regular scans to check nothing untoward has been installed. You should also install antivirus software to catch anything before it has time to do damage.
2. Clear your Cache: When you are surfing the web your browser stores information about the web pages so that it is quicker to load on your next visit. However, because this can lead to a lot of data being stored, it can actually slow down your browser over time. Clearing the cache regularly stops this issue.
3. Remove Unnecessary Toolbars: Only install the toolbars on your browser that you need and use regularly. These toolbars can eat into your bandwidth as they are often requesting information and running adverts in the background.
4. Update Your Browser: Make sure you are running the latest version of your browser, as newer versions often offer improved performance.
5. Clean Up Your Hard Drive: Sometimes it is the PC that is running slowly rather than the internet connection. Clean up your hard drive on a regular basis, removing programs and files you no longer need.Once you have implemented some or all of these ideas, run further speed tests on your line and you should see an overall improvement. If you are still not happy with the speeds being recorded, speak to your Internet Service Provider. You will be able to say that you have tried all the methods outlined above and therefore request that they look into it further.
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