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A slow Internet defeats the purpose of being on the information superhighway in the first place. When your online connection slows to a snail’s pace, it can really dampen any plans you may have had of being productive. Before you start cursing Bill Gates and Al Gore for giving this technology into our lives, here are few tips to help satisfy your need for Internet speed.
- Turn Off Your PC and Router, Wait a Minute, Switch It Back On
Sometimes the simplest solution is the one that works best. Electronic devices sometimes get sluggish. You would too if you were doing the same thing day after day. Turn off your PC and router and wait a few minutes before turning everything back on at the same time. This resets the microprocessors back to their starting point, resulting in a stronger Internet connection.
- Place Your PC and Wireless Router in the Same Room
A wireless router is great because the signal can travel through ceilings and walls to reach your PC. Unfortunately, all that traveling can weaken the signal by the time it reaches your computer. If you have several floors, doors, walls or ceilings between the router and your PC, each barrier progressively reduces the strength of the signal between the two to the point where you see a noticeable reduction in your Internet speed. The closer the router and the PC are, the stronger the signal is likely to be.
- Positions Your Wireless Router Antenna Vertically/Keep Cord Short
This is one for the “sometimes the simplest things…” file. The link between your wireless router and computer can be affected by the angle of your router box antenna. It should be vertical to your PC, not at an angle. It can reduce Internet speed or even prevent the link from being established in the first place. Conversely, if you are using broadband router box that requires a phone cord, use a short cord. Less traveling means the signal will be stronger.
- Make Sure You Did Not Exceed Your Monthly Usage Limit
Some Internet service providers limit your monthly hours of usage. Instead of letting you know when you’ve exceed the limit, the latest trend is to reduce the speed of your Internet connection. You may not notice until you are trying to download multiple files or using the Internet during peak hours. Contact your ISP to verify if this is the issue with your slow Internet connection.
- Shutdown Applications You Do Not Need/Close Tabs
You may be running applications on your computer and not even be aware of it. Some programs start as soon as you turn on your computer. Go to your Windows Task Manager to get a list of all processes running on your computer. Shutdown the ones you are not using or don’t need to have to run. Along the same lines, it is easy to lose track of tabs. Close any tabs you from pages you have open that you don’t need open at the moment.
- Save Large Downloads for When the Internet is “Quieter”
If you are have to download large files, try to avoid peak usage times. Peak times are usually in the mornings from around 8am through 10am the in the early evening from 4pm through 6pm. Save large files for either off-peak hours, if possible. If you have no choice, make sure all unnecessary applications are shutdown before you start your download and hold off on performing other functions until the download finishes.
