How to speed up the Internet – Part Two

If your internet speed is slower than what you pay for, it’s time that you consider the causes for the slow speed. The first part of the article covered some of the very basic things that might be the cause of interference between you and high speed internet. But this article will take things one level further and will discuss about things which not everyone knows but causes your internet speed to slow down. First and foremost, run a speed test quickly as shown in the first part of the article using more than one speed test website and noting down your speed test result, so that you can compare in the end. The following guide can be a little complex but it’s worth it for experiencing better high speed internet, so follow each step as mentioned –

1. Flush your DNS

DNS (Domain Name System) is like a phone directory, which we use to log all the contact details. Similarly, DNS is used to log and memorize all the public websites and their IP addresses which we visit. Many a times DNS caches get corrupted due to technical glitches or majorly because of viruses on your computer. When you face slow internet or connectivity problem, it is advised that you flush/clear the DNS cache. Follow the steps to clear your DNS cache (Windows User) –

a. Search type “cmd” on the start menu

b. Right click on the “command prompt” or “cmd” (depending on your windows version) and select “Run as administrator”

c. Type in the command “ipconfig /flushdns”

d. Press enter and you are done

2. Check your filters

Many people have same cable line for internet and phone line for their internet connection and telephone connection. In such cases, it is important to make sure that the filters you use for your cable line are of good quality or they might just end up cutting down your internet speed. Filters are small plugs that we use to connect with the phone line to filter out the disturbances.

3. Find a better spot for your modem/router

Make sure your modem/router is set up at a centralised location in your house or building. Many a times, kitchen appliances or laundry room can interfere with the modem/signals, cutting down your Wi-Fi signals.

4. Get a Wi-Fi repeater or pods

We all face troubles getting Wi-Fi signals in some parts of the house. But often at times, it can be difficult or it can be too much of a hassle to move the modem/router to a central spot in your house. And, if your modem/router is in the best position possible and even than the problem exist, than getting a Wi-Fi repeater or extender might be a solution. They are used to expand the coverage area of your Wi-Fi. Wi-fi repeaters or extenders help in amplifying the Wi-Fi signal and then transmit the boosted signals to all over the area near them. A Wi-Fi repeater easily helps you in increasing the Wi-Fi coverage area by two times the regular area – reaching every corner of your home or office and even basements or different floors. They are easy to set up, just plug in and you are good to go.

5. Number of devices connected to internet

As the internet of things increase around us, the number of devices in your house using internet also increasing. From home security to smart home devices, they all uses internet even you are not using. If you run too many apps and devices connected to the internet, obviously the speed will go down. So, make sure you close all the apps running and all the devices which uses in internet around you are switched off. Not only that, the number of people in your house and the number of devices that would approximately use the internet, everything should be considered while you select the internet plan for you.

6. Shorten or replace your cables

Electrical cables can last for a long time, but they have undergone many changes and upgrades that affect the speed and the amount of data it can carry. Make sure you avoid using too much of cable and the ones you use are new ones.

7. Try a different router/ add one more

The speed of your internet heavily depends on the hardware that you use, such as your router. If you are a heavy internet user but your router is not compatible for heavy internet usage, than you might want to get one more router or just get the one compatible for heavy internet usage.

8. Do a line test and check the cabling

If nothing works and your speeds are still down compared to what you paid for, then it’s time to contact your ISP and ask for a line test and look into the matter. Maybe the cables are damaged or the connection has disturbance from the pole, in such cases a technician will be sent to your home to check for such checkups. Note that in some of these cases if there is nothing wrong you can get billed by the ISP for sending out a technician.

Don’t suffer from slow internet and take action today. Internet has become an integral part of all our lives. Slow internet can get on your nerves, so make sure you go through both lists to make sure everything is good from your end to avoid slow internet.

Without internet for even one day can be really frustrating, and makes us wonder what would have happen if we didn’t had internet in our life in the first place.