This is an article excerpt from our Fall 2018 newsletter. The full newsletter contains other relevant articles, Huxley happenings, contact information and more! Click here to download a PDF of the newsletter
Common Culprits for Slow Internet and What to Do About Them
It’s frustrating when a webpage takes forever to load or a video stops to buffer, displaying the famed “spinning wheel of death.” Here are some common reasons why an internet connection may be moving at slower-than-expected speeds, along with actions you can take to help rectify the issues.
An Increase in Users and Devices
The more people online at once, the slower the connection gets. For example, if you have several house guests on your home’s Wi-Fi network, you may notice a temporary decrease in internet speeds during their visit. This can also be an ongoing issue if your family size has increased or the number of internet-connected devices and bandwidth-heavy applications have risen significantly. In the case of the latter, it may be time for an upgrade of your internet plan.
Spyware and Viruses
Spyware and viruses could be the culprits causing your internet connection to slow down on your computer. Consider running a full system scan with your antivirus program to see if there are any suspicious programs that need to be removed.
Walls and Floors Blocking Wi-Fi Signals
The construction materials in your home can greatly affect wireless communication speed and range. Materials such as concrete, brick, and metal can make it difficult to connect and can slow your network speed or even completely block wireless signals from reaching certain parts of your home. Large furniture items such as filing cabinets or bookshelves, as well as appliances like stoves or refrigerators, can also interfere with Wi-Fi. You may be able to solve the problem simply by moving your router to a different location.
An Old Router
Some older routers have a speed cap limiting the maximum internet speed possible, which means your outdated router may be preventing you from receiving the full speed of your internet plan. One of the best ways to make sure your home’s Wi-Fi network is as fast and reliable as possible is to buy a new router that supports the current 802.11ac standard, which can effectively handle 20 or more devices.
For help solving internet speed issues at your home, call Huxley Communications at 515-597-2281.
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