The Internet has become a crucial part of our lives even though we don’t think about it very often. That is until you are excited to see the new video from your favourite band and it simply won’t load!
Today, we are used to using our phones in our free time much more than we use computers. A slow Internet connection on your phone can be a real cause of frustration, so how about checking what’s wrong? Here are the most common causes of a slow Internet connection and what you can do to fix them!
The Router Position
Hardly anyone thinks that the position of the router can have a great impact on the strength of the signal. But if the case is such, then why is it while you walk with your phone around the house, the pages seem to load in a heartbeat in some place while it takes forever at other places?
The position of your router matters a lot. If you have your router tucked away under a wardrobe then you might’ve just found the cause of your slow connection.
For a better signal, you need to position your router as higher as possible to extend the length of the waves. Also, concrete and metals in the construction can impact the strength of the signal, so placing your router in the biggest room is a good idea.
Know Your Bandwidth
When choosing your Internet provider, you usually see different bundles that offer different bandwidth options. The term bandwidth might not mean a lot to you, but it is very important when it comes to determining the speed of your Internet.
To put it in simple words, bandwidth is the maximum data transfer rate that your connection allows in a specific time. This means that the more devices you have connected to the network, the more bandwidth you are going to need for better speed.
If you only have one or two devices connected on your network, a low bandwidth connection should do you just fine. However, a large number of devices and bandwidth-consuming activities such as streaming or online gaming require more bandwidth.
If you are not sure of your current bandwidth, you can either test that yourself, using a service such as SpeedCheck, or contact your Internet Service Provider. You can also speak to them and tell them how many devices you have in your home and what you use the Internet for and they will be able to help you determine how much bandwidth you need.
Set The Correct Channel
If you live in a block of flats or a housing complex, this might be one of the problems that you need to take care of. Since probably every household has its own Wi-Fi connection, channels can overlap, causing the speed to go down.
The biggest problem arises with 2.4GHz only routers or 2.4GHz only devices. There are only 14 such channels that routers and devices can use to transmit data and if there are two routers broadcasting on the same channel, things can become slow for both of them.
Even though modern routers are set to pick a channel automatically, sometimes they are not making the best choices. If you are experiencing a slow internet connection on your mobile devices, this is definitely something worth checking out.
You Are Using the Wrong VPN
VPNs are highly recommended nowadays, especially when you are using a public network. VPNs encrypt the data, giving you better security and privacy.
Still, while VPNs sound like a saving grace, the wrong VPN might be the cause of a slow connection. Before communicating with an external server, the VPN needs to encrypt the data sent from your phone. Some VPNs are really slow in doing that, giving you the impression that your Internet speed is really bad.
To test this, try disabling your VPN. If you notice a great change in speed, it may be time to look around for a different VPN.
A slow Internet connection is one of the biggest third world problems of today. Still, you can’t really blame anyone for getting frustrated over a slow connection – the Internet is a commodity we have become very comfortable living with. If you are experiencing a slow connection, make sure you eliminate the above before looking further into the matter.