Games and other programs that work with video require significant bandwidth. When they are running, they limit the bandwidth that’s available for other apps. Check your computer for background network activity as you troubleshoot the slow network. Other network activity could be affecting overall bandwidth. A smart TV streaming movies, a camera constantly relaying HD video, and smart speakers playing music can make everything on the network slow. Household appliances and your neighbors’ wireless networks can interfere with your computers. Reposition your router for better performance and change your Wi-Fi channel number. In general, the closer your device is to the router, the better the Wi-Fi connection. To confirm if wireless interference is the reason for the slow internet connection, connect a computer to Wi-Fi to measure how well it performs. Then, connect the same computer to the wired network and note any changes in performance. If the cable allows for a better connection, the problem could lie in the wireless connection. Instead of moving the router, consider a mesh network setup or a signal repeater. To troubleshoot potentially faulty equipment, temporarily rearrange and reconfigure your gear while experimenting with different configurations. Systematically try bypassing the router, swapping cables, and testing with multiple devices to isolate the slow performance to a specific component of the system. Then, decide if it can be upgraded, repaired, or replaced.
Regularly scan for viruses and other malware. Keep up-to-date anti-virus software running to catch and remove worms and malware. Try a malware-removal tool.
Ensure your router’s settings remain consistent with the manufacturer’s documentation and your internet service provider’s recommendations. If your computer runs above 80 percent consistent utilization for system memory, disk input/output, or CPU cycling, the computer may struggle to maintain optimal performance. Network slowdowns follow—not because the network is problematic, but because the computer is overtaxed. Don’t hesitate to contact your service provider if you suspect it is responsible for your slow internet connection.
