Speed Up Your Slow Internet in Minutes: Simple Fixes for a Frustrating Problem

We have become so accustomed to fast Internet connections and reliable connections that we become extremely frustrated when things slow down. When you fire up your computer, your tablet or your smart phone, you expect it to connect to the Internet immediately, you trust that those connections will be stable and reliable and you expect every page you visit to load quickly.

If those expectations match your reality, you have nothing to worry about. If you find yourself waiting through slow connections, dealing with frequent disconnects and fretting about your connection speed, it is time to look for some solutions.

There are some quick and easy fixes to a slow Internet connection, and in most cases, they will not cost you a dime. One of the first things you should check when your Internet connection slows down or gets interrupted is your cabling. Chances are the data cabling, things like Ethernet cables, and power cords that provide your Internet connection are tucked behind your desk - or scattered on the floor. It is easy for those cables to get loose, and those unstable connections could be causing the disconnects and slow speeds.

If there are no problems with the cabling, try rebooting your equipment. Start with your high-speed modem, powering it off and leaving it down for at least one minute. Power it back up and wait for all the lights to come back up, making sure the Internet light is green and shows activity.

Once the modem is back up, it is time to reboot your router. Simply power the router down, leave it off for at least a minute and power it back up. Once the router is back up, check your connection speed again. You may need to disconnect your wireless connection and reconnect to reestablish connectivity.

If your Internet connection is still unreliable, the problem could be with your ISP. Call the ISP to see if they are experiencing any line problems, or if there have been any outages reported in your area. Some ISPs provide telephone or online tools you can use to check your connection yourself, without talking to a technician.

If there are no line problems with your ISP, you can try moving your router to a new location. Wi-Fi signals are stronger in some parts of your home than others, and finding those sweet spots could improve connection speeds for all your devices. It can take some experimentation, but once you find the best location, your router can stay put.

Speaking of routers, if you have not upgraded yours for a few years, switching to a newer model could boost your connection speeds, and your security, significantly. Newer routers are designed for high security, but they also provide better connection speeds and greater stability than models made just a few years ago. This connection speed solution will cost you some money, but you should be able to find a great router for less than $100.

Dealing with a slow Internet connection can be frustrating, but the solution may be closer than you think. Something as simple as a loose cable or power connection could be causing your symptoms, and rebooting your equipment when things slow down could set things right and bring your system back online.