Is there anything more frustrating than a slow broadband connection? Whether you're wanting to stream your favourite film or chat with your friends, your internet speed needs to be operating at its optimal rate. Want to ensure that you have the fastest broadband possible? Check out our tips for faster internet connection below!
Carry Out a Speed Test
One of the first things you could try is checking the speed of your broadband. Good download speed for standard broadband is around 11Mbps (megabits per second). Faster broadband speeds can even reach over 100mbps. A quick Google search should help you figure out your average speed, and you can visit our speed test page to help you determine whether your broadband is speed is running as it should be.
Make your Wi-Fi password Secure
If you do not have password-protected Wi-Fi, it is available to anyone. This means that people could be using your internet without your knowledge, which can cause a drop in speed.
Nowadays, most providers supply you with a password to protect your Wi-Fi. but if you don't currently have a password, or just choose not to use one, we recommend setting one up as soon as possible. Not only will it improve your broadband speed, but it will also help protect any devices connected to your Wi-Fi from viruses and malware.
To achieve this:
Move the Router
Lots of interferences can interrupt the speed of your Internet. It can be slowed down by walls, doors, microwaves and even decorative fairy lights.
To try and speed up your broadband, we suggest moving your router to a place higher up from where it usually is. For example, you could try placing it on top of a shelf, or you could mount it on the wall.
If you want to optimise your Internet speed throughout the entire house, try placing the router somewhere central, such as the top of the stairs or in a spare room. A common mistake for people to make is that they often place their router in a cupboard, which is something you must try to avoid. Doing this may cause the router to overheat, which can slow down your Internet connection.
You could also try purchasing a 'smart' router that automatically adjusts for interference.
Clean up Your Background Apps
There are lots of application, some you may not even remember you have, using up Internet in the background. This can severely affect your device's ability to properly function, and can drastically slow down your internet speed.
Windows updates, security scans, open website tabs and many more applications can all affect for your broadband speed. Streaming services such as Netflix or Spotify often run in the background even when you aren't using them.
To increase your broadband speed, seek out these applications and shut them down. In order to do this, you must:
You should also clear your browser history and delete old files, such as images and documents. You can do this from your web browser, and by right-clicking any files on your computer that you wish to delete.
Try a Broadband Accelerator
Broadband accelerators work to clean out any interference from your home phone wiring, which in turn boost your broadband connection. People with large houses often buy broadband accelerators to reach all four corners of their home without slowing down their internet connection.
Broadband companies such as BT offer accelerators for free, and it is claimed that they improve broadband speeds by up to 1.5Mbps. If you aren't a BT customer, you can pick up an accelerator for just over £10.
Try Wireless Instead of Wired
Using wired internet may seem like we're venturing back in time, but if your broadband service is extremely weak and you need a quick fix fast, you may want to wire up. You can do this by connecting your router and device with an ethernet cable. If you do not already own an ethernet cable, you can purchase one for between £5-14, depending on its quality and length.
Switch Broadband
If you've tried most of these tips already, it might be time to switch up your broadband service provider.
Before you sign up to a new company, they should be able to supply you with a line test to give you an idea of what you should expect from their service.
Upgrading to fibre-optic broadband can boost your speed and connection if already on an ASDL standard broadband service.
The quickest, most widely available fibre broadband is provided by Virgin Media, but services supplied by BT and Sky are much more widely available.
In Conclusion
We hope that the tips we have provided improve your broadband connection, because no one likes slow Internet. If you've decided that changing broadband provider is the best choice for you, we're here to help! Visit our homepage to compare a range of broadband providers and find the best deal for you! Type in your postcode, choose your perfect deal and price range, and we'll do the rest!
