Did anybody tell you recently that you need to check your internet speed? Internet speed can vary depending on your location, device, internet service provider (ISP), and the number of devices connected to a Wi-Fi network.
If you are experiencing frustration with your home internet speed, testing it yourself is a wonderful way to optimize your digital life.
That’s right! You can check yourself whether your ISP is providing the internet speed they promised. You can assess where and when your Internet works best. You can also diagnose any possible issue you might be having and optimize your internet speed.
This guide will show you how to test your home network so that you can troubleshoot any issues and have a smooth online experience.
Why is Internet Speed Important?
In today’s world, having a good internet speed is important for every aspect of life. Whether you are working from home, taking an online class, or just streaming a video game, your internet speed concludes your online experience.
Faster internet speed allows you to download and upload files quicker, stream films and videos without buffering, run the internet on multiple devices simultaneously, and play video games lag-free. For an overall optimal experience, you need to understand all aspects of internet speed and how to improve it.
If you are using Spectrum Internet, you are already sorted. It offers a high-speed internet plan tailored to your specific needs and is popular for its amazing services across the country. The cherry on top is its zero data caps.
Common Signs of Slow Internet
It is often quite easy to tell whether your internet speed is up to par or slow. Here are some of the signs you should be looking out for:
· Buffering or Low Quality While Streaming
If the videos on platforms such as Netflix or YouTube tend to buffer a lot, your internet speed is most probably slow. On these platforms, your videos will also automatically switch to a lower video quality if your internet speed is low.
· Dropped Calls
Video conferencing on platforms like Zoom and Skype requires high internet speeds to carry audio and video information in real-time. A big sign of slow internet speed during a video call is choppy video, delayed audio, or dropped calls.
· Slow Uploading and Downloading
It is usually pretty easy to upload or download files on the internet. With slow internet speed, it will take longer than usual.
· Lagging While Gaming
A lag is a delay in response time. When your internet speed drops, you will specifically experience lag when playing games. This also shows up as a high ping that causes a slow response time.
Understanding Internet Speed
Download Speed VS Upload Speed VS Latency.
While speed and latency are both important factors in determining the performance of your internet connection, they are two different things.
Latency measures how fast connected devices can communicate with each other. The latency is bad if it takes a long time for the devices to send and receive requests and responses. It is essentially a measure of delay.
Speed refers to the data sending and receiving capacity of a connection. It is further divided into download and upload speeds.
Download speed means how many megabits of data you can receive from a server in one second. This includes activities like streaming videos, downloading files, listening to music, etc. A speed of 25 Mbps is considered good enough for a home network.
Upload speed refers to how many megabits of data your connection can send to an external server per second. This includes video conferencing, uploading files on the internet, etc. A speed of 3 Mbps is considered a good upload speed.
Units of measurement (Mbps, Gbps).
Internet speed is measured by certain units of measurement, Mbps and Gbps being the most common ones.
Mbps refers to “Megabits per second”. It represents how many millions of binary digits can be transferred in a connection. It is the standard unit of measurement for most connections.
Gbps stands for Gigabits per second. It represents a 1000 times faster internet speed than Mbps and is usually referred to when talking about lightning-fast speeds. This is important for activities that require an extremely high bandwidth.
Choosing the Right Speed Test Tool
The internet-speed-test websites and mobile apps perform the same function: measure your internet speed. Choosing the right tool depends on your preferences and needs.
Testing your internet speed through an online website is more straightforward than downloading or installing mobile apps. This is especially important if you don’t have a good internet speed. However, mobile apps often come with additional features such as testing your download and upload speeds, comparing the internet speeds in your area, etc.
Websites
– Ookla Speedtest: This website measures your internet speed in the simplest way possible. All you have to do is press “Go” and it will check your speed in less than a minute.
– TestMy.net: This website allows you to test your download speed, upload speed, and latency separately. It also has an Automatic Speed test button to check your bandwidth in the background regularly.
Mobile Apps
– FAST Speed Test: This app will provide a straightforward process. Its best feature is that it is ad-free.
– Wi-Fi Analyzer: This is a free app that will not only test your speed but also help you troubleshoot any potential problems. It will also help you find the best channel and location for your router. You can also buy a paid tier for additional features.
Running Your Speed Test
Preparing Your Network for an Accurate Test
For the most accurate test results, take the following measures:
· Choose a Low-Traffic Time
Perform your test when everyone is sleeping. This will reduce any chance of congestion during the test for optimum accuracy.
· Reboot Your Router
To eliminate any potential issues with your router, restart it before you begin the test. Wait at least 30 seconds before you turn it on again.
· Eliminate Unnecessary Devices and Applications
To reduce traffic as much as possible, temporarily disconnect any unnecessary devices connected to your router. Also, remove any unnecessary applications or processes running in the background. Moreover, make sure there are no downloads or uploads taking place in the background.
· Use Ethernet Cable
Once you have reduced as much traffic as possible, you can go a step further and use a direct Ethernet cable. This will eliminate even more signal interruptions for an accurate result.
Step-by-Step Guide to Conducting a Speed Test
- After you have prepared your connection and device for the test, choose a reliable speed test tool from the list provided above.
- Make sure that you are connected and close to the network you are testing.
- Next, initiate the test.
- Most tools indicate the test with a simple “Go” or “Begin” button. Typically, your test will be completed within a minute or two.
- For added accuracy, perform the test multiple times on multiple devices, and during multiple hours of the day.
Interpreting Your Results
Analyzing Download, Upload, and Latency values
To analyze the results properly, you must understand the common threshold speed required for most tasks.
- Basic Browsing: 1 Mbps
- Video Conferencing: 25 Mbps
- File Downloading: 10 Mbps
- Gaming: 4-8 Mbps
- A latency value of 200ms or below is considered good enough for a home network. Anything above that will result in lagging.
Comparing Your Results to Your Internet Plan
You can also compare your results to the speed promised by your Internet plan. If it is lower than expected, contact your ISP to report the problem.
Common causes of slow internet speed
· Congested Home or Provider Network
If too many devices are connected to your home network, this can create an overload. This can also happen to your ISP’s network. Give them a call to understand the issue further.
· Device Problems
Sometimes, the problem can be caused by your device rather than the internet connection. Check if your device is too old to function properly or needs to be updated.
· Weak Wi-Fi Signal
Your Wi-Fi signal can be too weak to provide good speed. This can be caused by distance or obstacles between the device and router, big living spaces, bad signal in your area, etc.
Troubleshooting Slow Internet Speeds
· Upgrade Your Wi-Fi Plan
If your Internet speed test reveals the same speed as promised by your provider but it is still too slow for you, consider upgrading your Wi-Fi plan for better speed.
· Setup a Guest Network
If you want to maintain good internet speed on your home network, consider setting up a guest network for visitors. This will now allow them to use the full bandwidth of your network.
· Buy a Wi-Fi Extender
An extender will capture the signals from your router and repeat them. This will extend the range of locations where your Wi-Fi signals reach.
The Last Thing to Keep A Check On
Understanding your internet speed is necessary if you want a seamless online experience. By understanding your download and upload speed, as well as the tools required to test them, you can make more informed decisions on what internet plan you need and whether you are being compensated for your money. If the results are below your expectations, be proactive by contacting your ISP and taking steps to troubleshoot any problems.
FAQs
- How often should I test my internet speed?
You can test whenever you experience issues with your connectivity. You should also be testing regularly once a month.
- What is considered a good Internet speed?
A download speed of 25 Mbps and upload speed of 3 Mbps is considered good internet speed.
- When should I consider upgrading my Internet plan?
If you are frequently experiencing connectivity issues, buffering, and slow loading time, you are probably exceeding your internet plan’s limits. Consider upgrading for better bandwidth.
