Check your download speeds

Total Bandwidth Consumption: The total consumption of the available bandwidth for your internet connection that makes use of shared applications or software involving downloads as well as uploads might slow down the download speed due to the consumption of larger bandwidth.

These activities may include uploading of large data files, VoIP telephonic service, video conferencing, etc. This may cause slow download speed for those using the same network or for those performing a number of simultaneous functions. If you wish to download a file quickly, pause or close the other activities that involve internet usage till the time downloading task gets completed.

Internet Service Provider: Most of the internet service providers promise a higher download and upload speeds in their internet connection plans. However, this barely proves true when it comes to internet connection speed. The ISPs sometimes provide lesser speed than the ones promised.

Thus, if you experience a slower download speed in your internet connection then reach out to your Internet Service Providers and ask them to verify the speed at their end or if there is an issue then look after the same. If you try downloading the data at the time when the internet use is at its peak then it means that others around you are also using the network at that particular instant.

Then, it is obvious for you to experience slower download speeds as compared to those in the peak-off hours. Still, if you experience lower download speeds then contact your ISPs in that case for help because it may be a problem at their end.

If your download speeds are slower than what you have expected it to be then there may be an issue with your internet service connection. You can test download speed with us. Generally, you need your internet connection to deliver at least Mbps upload speed to make sure that almost all the online activities function smoothly.

Using a wifi connection may also lead to slower download speeds. Wireless connections may have certain flaws in the connection that might cause the download and upload speed to reduce automatically. Thus, switching to a wired connection would be of greater benefit as you can enjoy considerably higher download speeds.

Update the Java version to the latest ones and get them updated. Also sometimes you should try restarting your computer as there might be a certain issue that would prevent java from functioning well and in these cases restarting the computer works most of the time. Sometimes you may see that the download speed may increase on the other browsers. In such cases, you must check that your web browser is updated to the latest version be it chrome, firefox, safari or internet explorer.

And if the other computer gets you higher download speed then it means that there is an issue with the computer that lowers down the download speed. We built a download speed checker to give real download speed results. Since the users constantly watch Netflix, movies, videos, etc. Having a faster download speed is important for performing tasks such as downloading or accessing large data files in business, use VoIP phone service, engaging oneself in video conferences and others.

Other sources of lag can be dealt with. Replacing an old router can reduce latency. Connecting directly to your router via Ethernet cable instead of over Wi-Fi will make a huge difference in preventing lag. Finally, you can upgrade to a type of connection with naturally lower latency, like fiber. Malware— You might have malware on your device. Network worms and other malicious software hijack part of your bandwidth, but this is often the least of your worries.

Run antivirus software to check for and remove malware. Sometimes these are just network interruptions caused by your ISP upgrading part of their network or simply doing maintenance. It could also be a more serious problem that can be fixed only by your provider. Malfunctioning equipment— If your speed is lower than expected, but there are no problems with your ISP, there might be a problem with your equipment.

Reset your modem and router by turning them off, waiting for a minute or two, then turning them back on. Try connecting to your router using an Ethernet cable instead of over Wi-Fi. You can also try running the speed test from a different device to see if you get the same results. If, after all this, your internet speed is still not enough to meet your needs, it might be time to upgrade to a faster plan, or simply find a better ISP.

Author - Peter Christiansen. Peter Christiansen writes about satellite internet, rural connectivity, livestreaming, and parental controls for HighSpeedInternet.

Peter holds a PhD in communication from the University of Utah and has been working in tech for over 15 years as a computer programmer, game developer, filmmaker, and writer. Cara Haynes has been editing and writing in the digital space for seven years, and she's edited all things internet for HighSpeedInternet.

When she's not editing, she makes tech accessible through her freelance writing for brands like Pluralsight. She believes no one should feel lost in internet land and that a good internet connection significantly extends your life span.

Get a better internet plan Jump to : What a speed test measures What determines internet speed? What an internet speed test measures What does Mbps mean? Upload speed Just as download speed refers to how fast data gets to your device, upload speed refers to how fast information on your device can be sent to some other destination on the internet like how fast your vacation pictures post to Instagram.

What is latency? Search by zip code Search Providers. What determines your internet speed? Tips to get the most accurate speed Testing your speed is easy, but how do you get the most accurate measurement of your internet connection? Here are a few things you can do to get the most accurate results: Pause automatic downloads. Get rid of freeloaders. Check for wireless router issues. So, what do my results mean? Pretty much every internet service provider ISP offers several different plans, each offering different download and upload speeds.

Do you always pick the fastest you can afford? Residential internet speeds have increased rapidly over the last few years, so for many people, top-tier internet plans offer more speed than they could possibly use.

How much internet speed are you actually getting? Take a speed test to find out how fast your download and upload speeds really are. Use the results to help guide your search for your next internet plan. Test Your Speed. A good download speed for most households is 10 Mbps per person. Of course, what a good download speed is for you heavily depends on what you do online and how many devices are on your home network.

For basic web surfing or email, 10 Mbps is enough to give you a seamless online experience. Video streaming services like Netflix and Hulu, on the other hand, are some of the most bandwidth-intensive activities that people engage in.

Not sure what speed your devices need to keep functioning smoothly? Generally, a good upload speed to shoot for is 5 Mbps. Upload speed becomes much more important if you want to use video chat, upload high-resolution images, or livestream video from your home.

Fiber-optic networks have symmetrical upload speeds, which means if you have a 1 Gbps 1, Mbps connection, you have 1 Gbps upload and 1 Gbps download speeds.

Fiber is also the most reliable type of connection, making your livestream much less likely to have issues—even if you stream at peak-use times.

Wi-Fi routers can often be the bottleneck that keeps you from getting the speeds you need. Many Wi-Fi routers boast incredibly high speeds due to having dual-band or tri-band technology, which essentially allows them to broadcast multiple Wi-Fi networks at the same time.

This can be really important if you have a lot of devices on your home network. Multiple signal bands, along with other features like beamforming, MU-MIMO multi-user, multiple input, multiple output , and other Wi-Fi 6 technologies, can allow your devices to take maximum advantage of your high-speed internet connection.