Working from home? How to fix a slow internet WIFI connection.
Hello Folks!
Happy Labor Day! Happy Maharashtra Formation Day to all!
We will today talk about the intriguing issue and topic of internet slowing down in our house during work from home situation.
Your service provider might be throttling your internet. Here's how to find out and how to fix it.
At this point in the coronavirus crisis, many of us are leaning more on streaming platforms such as Netflix and Amazon Prime, which makes it all the more infuriating when a show stutters and stops right at the climax thanks to bad Wi-Fi. The collective groans, the held breath as loading stalls at 99%, the children crying for Elsa or Moana to come back: All of these could be avoided if the internet just stayed steady. But alas, steady internet is rarely our reality, and in many areas, internet service provider options are too limited to solve the problem.
What's worse, with last year's Supreme Court decision to decline to hear an appeal on net neutrality, ISPs can still throttle your internet, limiting your broadband if you're streaming more YouTube or Hulu than they want, and providing slower connections to websites owned by their competitors. Luckily, there's a solution to some of these problems: the virtual private network. Basically, ISPs need to see your IP address to slow down your internet, and a good VPN will shield that identity. Here's how to find one and use it to check whether your ISP is artificially slowing down your internet.
Step 1.
Run through the usual troubleshooting methods
So your Wi-Fi is slow, and you think your service provider is throttling your connection. Before you jump to those conclusions, it's important to run through the usual troubleshooting list: keep your router centrally located in your home, reposition its antennas, double check your network security and so on. If you want a full list of ways to optimize your Wi-Fi, check out our list.
If you've run through the laundry list and your Wi-Fi is still chugging, move to Step 2.
Step 2.
Test your internet health
Once you've made sure there are no simple explanations to your Wi-Fi woes, you can get a more in depth measurement of the health of your internet in a number of ways. I would suggest starting out with a simple test through M-Lab. This will check your connection speed, essentially gauging whether your ISP is providing consistent performance no matter the content you're accessing. This measurement isn't perfect, but it's a good starting place.
Step 3.
Find a reliable VPN
If you've done a basic first test on your internet health, and you still think something may be awry with your ISP, start researching VPNs. There are dozens of reasons to get one, and just as many factors to take into account while searching for the best virtual private network, such as security, price and server locations. Luckily, we've done that work for you already. Check out our suggestions here: CNET's picks for best VPNs.
Step 4.
Compare your speed with the VPN.
Next, test your internet speed somewhere like Fast.com or Speedtest.net. Compare the results to the same test when your VPN is active. The use of any VPN should cut your speed considerably, so the speed tests should show a discrepancy, with the VPN-active speed notably slower than the VPN-inactive speed. But a VPN also hides the IP address that providers use to identify you, so if your speed test with the VPN is faster than without the VPN, that may mean your ISP is targeting your IP address for throttling.
Step 5.
Fix your internet
OK, this is the hard part. Even if you find out your provider is throttling your internet, there may not be much you can actually do. Many people in the US live in regions with ISP monopolies or duopolies, so you might not be able to find a better provider. But here are a few useful responses:
If you do have options, use the best provider in your area. Measurement Lab provides a good resource for finding info specific to your region, and that can guide you to a more reliable ISP.
Use your VPN to maintain more consistent speeds. A VPN can't solve a bad connection or other reasons behind your slow service, but it can mitigate throttling from unscrupulous ISPs.
Call your provider and threaten to switch providers if they don't stop throttling your internet. This might seem old fashioned, and I can't guarantee lasting results, but providers have responded positively to such tactics when I've used them.
RAP RAF Rapid Action Force police and Pune Police today paraded and urged citizens to stay at home during the lockdown during the Covid-19 pandemic announced by the government. People in Bhawani Peth were informed and Peth areas in general are severely affected by the corona virus. More and more positive patients are appearing and affecting others so police & CRPF are stationed there. c4etech igyaan trakintech theverge mrmobile phonedog jonrettinger mkbhd marques brownlee mrwhosetheboss android authority android police verve iphone x paytm phonepe gpay apple pay theweek hindu TOI BBC UK iphone 11 pro apple google swiggy zomato uber eats amazon flipkart aws oppo pixel 4 4a 3a iPhone SE 2020 OnPlus 8 Pro Huawei honor 11, https://clnk.in/kzPa
. Maharashtra is badly hit by most number of Covid-19 positive patients & government is taking necessary steps. Narayan Peth, Bhawani Peth and neighboring areas are declared as Red Zones and hence they are taken care with utmost attention. Wanawadi, Aundh and Vishrantwadi , Viman Nagar and Wagholi are also Red zones. Bhawani peth comes under containment zone now. Rapid Action Force. Punekar News containment zone Bhawani Peth Pune Lokmat TV9 Sakal BBC Marathi CNN new18. Ambulance siren & police vehicle sirens are heard in the video. Nana Peth & Rasta Peth area are densely populated and worst affected. Jai Maharshtra News Star Utsav Star Pravah Zee marathi
Let's now see some common steps that you can take to maximize the benefit of your ISP's speed.
To get better speeds and avoid the interference caused by existence of multiple devices, it is better to connect all work devices to 5 GHz band
WiFi range extenders can boost the range by receiving wireless signals from the router and repeating them with powerful amplifiers and antennas
At a time when the entire family is confined to home due to the nationwide lockdown to stem the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19), the WiFi network at home is bound to be stressed. Imagine being involved in a work meeting through video conferencing while multiple people are connected to the same network simultaneously trying to stream a movie on Netflix, watch a video class on EDX or download a game on Steam.
Here are some tips to reduce stress on your network and get the best out of it for your work related online activities.
Multiple devices can be a bottleneck
Even though Netflix, YouTube have said they are reducing streaming quality across the world to reduce stress on internet service providers (ISPs), streaming from multiple devices is likely to slow down the bandwidth. Rather than forcing people to watch what they don’t want to, one can reduce the crowding of devices on same wireless frequency band.
Most devices accessing WiFi connect via the 2.4 GHz band, which offers more WiFi coverage. However, most modern-day routers and devices have the option to connect to the 5 GHz band which offers faster speed. So, to get better speeds and avoid the interference caused by existence of multiple devices, it is better to connect all work devices to 5 GHz band.
Carrier 1.5 Ton 3 Star Window AC - White (18K Estra Neo (3 Star) Wrac AC R32, Copper Condenser) Just Rs.26999: https://clnk.in/kBp9 Routers with dual-band functionality are available in Wireless-N (802.11n) and Wireless-AC (802.11ac) category.
Position of router and device matters
This is my personal experience. I have purposefully positioned and kept my WiFi router in the middle room of my apartment so that I get the full coverage of internet throughout my house.
Position of device and router along with proximity to other electronic devices can interfere with the smooth working of the network. Some of the common source of interference can be Bluetooth devices, power cables, microwave ovens, fluorescent lights and cordless phones. Physical obstacle like walls, floors and ceiling can also affect speed.
Sitting closer to the router can also help. Using range extenders or a mesh router system is a smart move. WiFi range extenders can boost the existing WiFi range by receiving the wireless signals from the router and repeating them with powerful amplifiers and antennas. WiFi mesh includes a network of multiple routers which can bypass physical barriers such as wall, roofs and furniture to deliver consistent Wi-Fi speeds in every nook and corner of the home, allowing users to work online while moving freely.
It’s time to upgrade to WiFi 6 standards
Most of the old routers that still operate on WiFi 4 standard don’t have the capacity to handle overloading caused by multiple devices on a single network. Switching to routers that support the latest WiFi 6 standard, introduced in 2019, can allow every device in the network to achieve peak performance. WiFi 6 routers offer up to four times better speed than WiFi 4. WiFi 6 also has a 50% larger service range of 50% larger than its predecessor. Its multi-user technology Mu-Mimo allows the network to serve up all of the devices simultaneously.
Look for unauthorised access
Another probable reason for slow WiFi network can be unauthorized usage by a neighbor. This can happen in case of insecure wireless access point with an easy to predict password like phone number or family member’s name. Adding a complex password can make it harder for freeloaders to break into the home WiFi network. Users can check who all are connected to network on the router’s web interface.
Allocating resources
Many routers have a feature called Quality of Service, which can allocate resources to more important tasks. So even if a family member is trying to download a game or stream a movie, it will not slow down the entire network. The speed available to it will be limited and the more important tasks related to work will not be deprived of the bandwidth they require to function effectively. New routers have tools like Intelligent Quality of Services which can prioritize traffic automatically.
I hope these tips and tricks will help you out during your work from home and binge watching sessions during these difficult times.
Please let me know if you have any questions or want to discuss anything.
Until next time!
Cheers,
Anup
Hello Folks!
Happy Labor Day! Happy Maharashtra Formation Day to all!
We will today talk about the intriguing issue and topic of internet slowing down in our house during work from home situation.
Your service provider might be throttling your internet. Here's how to find out and how to fix it.
At this point in the coronavirus crisis, many of us are leaning more on streaming platforms such as Netflix and Amazon Prime, which makes it all the more infuriating when a show stutters and stops right at the climax thanks to bad Wi-Fi. The collective groans, the held breath as loading stalls at 99%, the children crying for Elsa or Moana to come back: All of these could be avoided if the internet just stayed steady. But alas, steady internet is rarely our reality, and in many areas, internet service provider options are too limited to solve the problem.
What's worse, with last year's Supreme Court decision to decline to hear an appeal on net neutrality, ISPs can still throttle your internet, limiting your broadband if you're streaming more YouTube or Hulu than they want, and providing slower connections to websites owned by their competitors. Luckily, there's a solution to some of these problems: the virtual private network. Basically, ISPs need to see your IP address to slow down your internet, and a good VPN will shield that identity. Here's how to find one and use it to check whether your ISP is artificially slowing down your internet.
Step 1.
Run through the usual troubleshooting methods
So your Wi-Fi is slow, and you think your service provider is throttling your connection. Before you jump to those conclusions, it's important to run through the usual troubleshooting list: keep your router centrally located in your home, reposition its antennas, double check your network security and so on. If you want a full list of ways to optimize your Wi-Fi, check out our list.
If you've run through the laundry list and your Wi-Fi is still chugging, move to Step 2.
Step 2.
Test your internet health
Once you've made sure there are no simple explanations to your Wi-Fi woes, you can get a more in depth measurement of the health of your internet in a number of ways. I would suggest starting out with a simple test through M-Lab. This will check your connection speed, essentially gauging whether your ISP is providing consistent performance no matter the content you're accessing. This measurement isn't perfect, but it's a good starting place.
Step 3.
Find a reliable VPN
If you've done a basic first test on your internet health, and you still think something may be awry with your ISP, start researching VPNs. There are dozens of reasons to get one, and just as many factors to take into account while searching for the best virtual private network, such as security, price and server locations. Luckily, we've done that work for you already. Check out our suggestions here: CNET's picks for best VPNs.
Step 4.
Compare your speed with the VPN.
Next, test your internet speed somewhere like Fast.com or Speedtest.net. Compare the results to the same test when your VPN is active. The use of any VPN should cut your speed considerably, so the speed tests should show a discrepancy, with the VPN-active speed notably slower than the VPN-inactive speed. But a VPN also hides the IP address that providers use to identify you, so if your speed test with the VPN is faster than without the VPN, that may mean your ISP is targeting your IP address for throttling.
Step 5.
Fix your internet
OK, this is the hard part. Even if you find out your provider is throttling your internet, there may not be much you can actually do. Many people in the US live in regions with ISP monopolies or duopolies, so you might not be able to find a better provider. But here are a few useful responses:
If you do have options, use the best provider in your area. Measurement Lab provides a good resource for finding info specific to your region, and that can guide you to a more reliable ISP.
Use your VPN to maintain more consistent speeds. A VPN can't solve a bad connection or other reasons behind your slow service, but it can mitigate throttling from unscrupulous ISPs.
Call your provider and threaten to switch providers if they don't stop throttling your internet. This might seem old fashioned, and I can't guarantee lasting results, but providers have responded positively to such tactics when I've used them.
RAP RAF Rapid Action Force police and Pune Police today paraded and urged citizens to stay at home during the lockdown during the Covid-19 pandemic announced by the government. People in Bhawani Peth were informed and Peth areas in general are severely affected by the corona virus. More and more positive patients are appearing and affecting others so police & CRPF are stationed there. c4etech igyaan trakintech theverge mrmobile phonedog jonrettinger mkbhd marques brownlee mrwhosetheboss android authority android police verve iphone x paytm phonepe gpay apple pay theweek hindu TOI BBC UK iphone 11 pro apple google swiggy zomato uber eats amazon flipkart aws oppo pixel 4 4a 3a iPhone SE 2020 OnPlus 8 Pro Huawei honor 11, https://clnk.in/kzPa
. Maharashtra is badly hit by most number of Covid-19 positive patients & government is taking necessary steps. Narayan Peth, Bhawani Peth and neighboring areas are declared as Red Zones and hence they are taken care with utmost attention. Wanawadi, Aundh and Vishrantwadi , Viman Nagar and Wagholi are also Red zones. Bhawani peth comes under containment zone now. Rapid Action Force. Punekar News containment zone Bhawani Peth Pune Lokmat TV9 Sakal BBC Marathi CNN new18. Ambulance siren & police vehicle sirens are heard in the video. Nana Peth & Rasta Peth area are densely populated and worst affected. Jai Maharshtra News Star Utsav Star Pravah Zee marathi
Let's now see some common steps that you can take to maximize the benefit of your ISP's speed.
To get better speeds and avoid the interference caused by existence of multiple devices, it is better to connect all work devices to 5 GHz band
WiFi range extenders can boost the range by receiving wireless signals from the router and repeating them with powerful amplifiers and antennas
At a time when the entire family is confined to home due to the nationwide lockdown to stem the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19), the WiFi network at home is bound to be stressed. Imagine being involved in a work meeting through video conferencing while multiple people are connected to the same network simultaneously trying to stream a movie on Netflix, watch a video class on EDX or download a game on Steam.
Here are some tips to reduce stress on your network and get the best out of it for your work related online activities.
Multiple devices can be a bottleneck
Even though Netflix, YouTube have said they are reducing streaming quality across the world to reduce stress on internet service providers (ISPs), streaming from multiple devices is likely to slow down the bandwidth. Rather than forcing people to watch what they don’t want to, one can reduce the crowding of devices on same wireless frequency band.
Most devices accessing WiFi connect via the 2.4 GHz band, which offers more WiFi coverage. However, most modern-day routers and devices have the option to connect to the 5 GHz band which offers faster speed. So, to get better speeds and avoid the interference caused by existence of multiple devices, it is better to connect all work devices to 5 GHz band.
Carrier 1.5 Ton 3 Star Window AC - White (18K Estra Neo (3 Star) Wrac AC R32, Copper Condenser) Just Rs.26999: https://clnk.in/kBp9 Routers with dual-band functionality are available in Wireless-N (802.11n) and Wireless-AC (802.11ac) category.
Position of router and device matters
This is my personal experience. I have purposefully positioned and kept my WiFi router in the middle room of my apartment so that I get the full coverage of internet throughout my house.
Position of device and router along with proximity to other electronic devices can interfere with the smooth working of the network. Some of the common source of interference can be Bluetooth devices, power cables, microwave ovens, fluorescent lights and cordless phones. Physical obstacle like walls, floors and ceiling can also affect speed.
Sitting closer to the router can also help. Using range extenders or a mesh router system is a smart move. WiFi range extenders can boost the existing WiFi range by receiving the wireless signals from the router and repeating them with powerful amplifiers and antennas. WiFi mesh includes a network of multiple routers which can bypass physical barriers such as wall, roofs and furniture to deliver consistent Wi-Fi speeds in every nook and corner of the home, allowing users to work online while moving freely.
It’s time to upgrade to WiFi 6 standards
Most of the old routers that still operate on WiFi 4 standard don’t have the capacity to handle overloading caused by multiple devices on a single network. Switching to routers that support the latest WiFi 6 standard, introduced in 2019, can allow every device in the network to achieve peak performance. WiFi 6 routers offer up to four times better speed than WiFi 4. WiFi 6 also has a 50% larger service range of 50% larger than its predecessor. Its multi-user technology Mu-Mimo allows the network to serve up all of the devices simultaneously.
Look for unauthorised access
Another probable reason for slow WiFi network can be unauthorized usage by a neighbor. This can happen in case of insecure wireless access point with an easy to predict password like phone number or family member’s name. Adding a complex password can make it harder for freeloaders to break into the home WiFi network. Users can check who all are connected to network on the router’s web interface.
Allocating resources
Many routers have a feature called Quality of Service, which can allocate resources to more important tasks. So even if a family member is trying to download a game or stream a movie, it will not slow down the entire network. The speed available to it will be limited and the more important tasks related to work will not be deprived of the bandwidth they require to function effectively. New routers have tools like Intelligent Quality of Services which can prioritize traffic automatically.
I hope these tips and tricks will help you out during your work from home and binge watching sessions during these difficult times.
Please let me know if you have any questions or want to discuss anything.
Until next time!
Cheers,
Anup
Overall good article.
ReplyDeleteVery helpful blog. Thank goodness I haven’t had any trouble with my WiFi during quarantine!
ReplyDeleteHappy Friday!
DeleteThanks for visiting my blog! Everyone is working from home so overall there's a load on the internet globally.
Please do visit my blog again.
wow great thanks for the info
ReplyDeleteGlad you liked it!
DeleteVery nice post! Thanks for sharing x
ReplyDeleteMonika
Writing Overload
Great post! Very good information to know
ReplyDelete