Are you facing slow speed issues then surely you have a question why is my download speed so slow? Slow upload and download speeds are all too typical of difficulty and can hamper business and personal operations. This can be a frustration that holds you from doing everyday tasks at home and work.
Today, people wait to be able to send and receive whatever they would like from any device. And now, more and more downloads and uploads are occurring via cellular connections.
There can be many causes for slow download and upload speeds on both desktop and mobile devices, and Wilson has identified some of the most common culprits.
Why Is My Download Speed So Slow?
There are many causes of slow Internet speeds. Some of the most common include:
- The age of your computer. Many older devices lack the memory to achieve the best download and upload speeds, even when the Internet connection and service are solid and robust.
- Connection to the website/browser you’re using. The speeds you can accomplish when downloading or uploading documents, files, or photos are affected by the distance from your computer to a website, as well as the path, speed, and range of the website’s connection to your network.
- Website traffic. Popular websites may be the most complicated when it comes to achieving higher speeds. Often, this isn’t even difficulty with your connection but the result of an overloaded website.
- Viruses. If viruses or unnecessary software are running in your device’s background, it can reduce processing power and the speed available for sending and receiving data across the internet.
- Software. When is the last time you updated your system or phone’s operating system and other software? If you’re running an older operating system, you may not gain the highest speeds when downloading or uploading.
Signal Obstruction
For both desktop and mobile connectivity alike, it makes a variation where the cellular signal is coming from. If you’re in your home on your desktop or laptop system, where is your router or WiFi gateway located? If you’re using your cell phone anywhere, where is the nearest signal originating?
It’s crucial to understand that the most common building materials are notorious cellular signal blockers. When a signal is obstructed, it can positively impact upload and download speeds on your mobile devices. Concrete, brick, and LEED-certified windows can all make obstructions to the strong signal that enables fast connectivity and speed.
How to Increase Download Speed?
Read on to discover 15 different ways you may be able to improve your download speed.
Restart your computer
Before you dive into other ways, try a good old restart. Sometimes you may have applications running on your computer that you didn’t know were still being used, or you may have too many browsers open at once. Restart your system and begin the download with only one browser open.
Upgrade internet speed
Depending on your service provider, your internet connection may not be ready to handle large downloads. Slow download speed can be frustrating, and it may be deserving it to upgrade to a plan with higher speeds, especially if your household has multiple people and devices. Search your options and see if there are packages available that can support a higher volume of data.
Disable other devices connected to your router
The more people and devices you have connected to your internet, the slower the internet connection can be. When downloading, try disconnecting any other devices, similar smart TVs, iPads, and phones for the time being. This may improve your internet and download speed significantly.
Disable apps that aren’t being used
Similarly, it would be best if you disabled any applications on your device when downloading. The applications you have running on your system can take up a good chunk of your bandwidth, contributing to slower speeds. For example, video streaming services like Netflix use a heavy amount of bandwidth. Temporarily disable the apps and see if that improves.
Download one file at a time
When downloading multiple files at once, it’s not unusual for your download to fail. This could be because your device isn’t compatible with downloading huge files. To make it easier, try downloading one file at a time. Though this may appear counterintuitive, it can end up saving time.
Test or replace your modem or router
If you need to connect multiple devices to your home’s internet, you need to connect a router to your modem. A router allows you to connect various devices and acts as an antenna to extend the range of the Wi-Fi throughout your home.
Your service provider typically provides the modem you have. Sometimes the fix can be as easy as restarting your modem device. If your download speed has been significantly slow and you saw no change in speed after restarting, it may be time for a new modem.
The best method to check your modem’s signal strength is to put your device close to it. If your speed improves when you are directly next to the modem, this is a good sign, in which case your router may be the issue. As mentioned, the router provides you to extend your connectivity range. If your device is too far away from the router, this could be affecting your download speed.
Change the location of your router
The location of your router can have a significant impact on your download speed as well. Be mindful of where you are placing your router, as some fields in your home may not have a strong connectivity signal. If you have a large house, consider getting Wi-Fi extenders to boost the range and increase your internet speed.
Elude putting your router in basements, bathrooms, cabinets, the floor, or near microwaves and other home appliances. Your router should be in a central location so the connection can reach throughout the whole home.
Use an ethernet cable
Sometimes Wi-Fi can be tricky, so connecting to an Ethernet cable can quickly increase your download speed. To do this, connect the Ethernet from your modem to your device. Since this is hardwired and you don’t have to rely on Wi-Fi, this option can deliver the fastest connection for your download speeds.
Upgrade your cable
If you opt for the fast solution using an Ethernet cable but still don’t see a change in download speeds, you may need to check the cable. If the cable is too long or outdated, try upgrading to a higher-quality, shorter cable. Sometimes this slight change can make all the difference.