A Comprehensive Guide to a Faster Internet Connection You often ask, “Why is my internet so slow?” You can practice different methods and hacks to accelerate your internet speed. Using different fixes such as software tweaks, hardware tricks and some basic security fixes may address the problem but a slow internet can be due to issues with your DNS settings, your Wi-Fi placement, wrong selection of Wi-Fi channel or some security reason. There isn’t any single way to avoid a slow connection but this article will try to touch upon each and every problem to improve your internet speed for an amazing browsing experience.
Software fixes for faster internet: •
Take a speed test
The very first step that we are going to do here is to take the internet speed test and ping test. You can speed test your internet by Ookla i.e. speedtest.net. The company recently dropped Adobe Flash and launched another internet speed test written in HTML5. It is recommended you get u verse internet packages if you want fast connectivity. •
Your browser and OS should be up-to-date
An old and updated browser/OS can slow down your internet speed making browsing, downloading and uploading files cumbersome. Upgrade your browser and Operating System to the latest version for better speed. •
Check for background activities
Background activities can slow down your internet speed. Check and kill all unnecessary background activities running on your system. Windows users can press CTR+Shift+ESC, whereas, Mac users can search for “Activity Monitor” in Spotlight search. For Linux systems, use the gnome-system-monitor command to open the system monitor app on your Ubuntu PC. System updates also slow down internet speed temporarily. Once the update is done your internet speed will be back to normal. You can turn off system updates but that would not be recommended. •
Browser tweaks for faster internet surfing
You can tweak your browser for better surfing experience. Clear your cache and other junk regularly a major cause of slowing down your browsing speed. •
DNS hack for speeding up the internet
DNS hacks can speed up your internet. Choose either Google DNS or OpenDNS according to your need. Google DNS is usually recommended for faster and secure internet. For Google DNS configuration, use these IP addresses:
For IPv4: 8.8.8.8 and/or 8.8.4.4. For IPv6: 2001:4860:4860::8888 and/or 2001:4860:4860::8844
For Open DNS configuration, use these IP addresses: For IPv4: Preferred DNS server: 208.67.222.222 Alternate DNS server: 208.67.220.220
For IPv6: Preferred DNS server: 2620:0:ccc::2 Alternate DNS server: 2620:0:ccd::2 •
Stop torrent downloading and uploading
Torrent downloading and uploading can affect your internet speed. These start and run automatically in the background whenever you turn your computer on. Uncheck the “Start xyzTorrent on system startup” while installing the software and make sure it is paused. •
Free up unnecessary used space
Cleaning up unnecessary used space in your old PC. Uninstall programs that you don’t use. Also, delete temporary internet data created by these programs. •
Scan and remove adware
Adware can have an adverse effect on your PC as well as the internet. Scan and remove them in the security fixes section that’ll be discussed further.
Hardware fixes for faster internet •
Fix problem with your Wi-Fi
Apart from your software your hardware also slows down your internet speed. You can run Ofcom Wi-Fi checker app on your smartphone or tablet to check quality of your Wi-Fi signal. Installing Ofcom or any other Wi-Fi checker app will improve your Wi-Fi connection. •
Wi-Fi router placement for better connection
Your Wi-Fi router placement can boost your Wi-Fi signals getting better internet speed. Place your router in the center of the house or office and at an elevation. Keep the device away from Microwave and direct your antenna upwards for better horizontal signals and sideways for better vertical reach. •
Choose the correct Wi-Fi channel
Choosing the correct Wi-Fi channel reduces the interface to improve your Wi-Fi signal. Channel overlapping occurs when you choose nearby channels. So choose 1, 6 and 11 so they do not overlap. •
Boost your Wi-Fi with beer can
Although unconventional, this method actually works. Cut and place a beer can over the antenna so that your devices are facing the concave and shiny side of the beer can. The aluminium will reflect the signal, previously getting wasted in other directions, towards you giving you a strong Wi-Fi signal. The only problem is that one side gets blocked, so you have to adjust it every time. •
Ways to increase your Wi-Fi speed
Follow these best practices to get a better and faster internet speed: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
Update your router’s firmware. Do a ping test at PingTest.net regularly (different from the usual speed test). Password protect your internet router. Disconnect old devices. Check for interference from cordless phones, microwaves, baby monitors and other devices.
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Use repeater to strengthen signal
A small capacity Wi-Fi router in a large house will slow down signals. Use an old router as a repeater or use a new repeater as a bridge for your existing router. •
Use Ethernet over Wi-Fi if possible
Although this is an era of Internet of Things (IoT), wired connections are much better than wireless ones. A wired connection is more secure, faster, has lower latency and has no wireless interference problems. •
Speed up Internet using CMD
Use the Command Prompt in Windows to directly interact with ports, Flush DNS table and to even set your TCP receive window. Also, define how Microsoft Windows interacts with the internet as Microsoft also limits connection in the background. Use CMD commands below to check if “Receive Window Autotuning level” is “Normal”: netsh interface tcp show global With this command you can check TCP global parameters. Type this command to reset the receive windows to normal if you see “Receive Window Autotuning level” is not “Normal”. netsh int tcp set global autotuninglevel=normal Another command which could help is: netsh interface tcp set heuristics disabled Use this to disable the heuristic algorithm by Microsoft which limits internet speed. •
Clean up hardware, don’t let it heat up
Overheating can slow down your system as well as harm your hardware. Fans, heat sinks and vents, etc., keep your PC cool for optimal performance and any type of malfunctioning or obstruction can cause problems.
Security Fixes for high internet speed: •
Scan for malware and adware and remove them
Malware and adware risks are on the rise. Use an effective antivirus product to regularly scan for malware, virus, adware, ransomware, etc. Along with your operating system, your antivirus should also be up-to-date to offer the best protection. •
Check and protect router from hacking attacks
Most Wi-Fi routers are vulnerable to hacking attacks. Hacking into your Wi-Fi can be anything from stealing sensitive information to just using your Wi-Fi bandwidth for connectivity. Check for the vulnerability in your router and take necessary precaution because if it goes undetected it can harm you big time. •
Set Network Security
Your network security should keep away unwanted intrusion. Devices like routers and switches should be properly configured and password protected. •
Protect your Wi-Fi router from getting hacked
Do the following to protect your Wi-Fi router from getting hacked: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.
Turn on the firewall. Enable WPA2 (Wi-Fi protected access). Change the default SSID network name. Use a strong password or passphrase. Disable remote administration. Enable MAC filter and logging feature.
These are methods with which you can improve your Wi-Fi connection. Try them and see which was the most helpful. Have you used any other method to boost internet speed? Do let us know in the comments below.