10 ways to make your internet faster today
Is there anything more disruptive to a productive workday than a spinning loading wheel? A sluggish internet connection undermines the very promise of a seamless digital workplace. It creates friction for remote employees, frustrates IT support teams trying to resolve issues, and can even impact customer satisfaction. When your entire workflow depends on reliable connectivity, every megabit per second counts. The good news is that you often have more control over your internet speed than you might think.
Before you call your internet service provider (ISP) or invest in a more expensive plan, there are numerous practical steps you can take to optimize your existing connection. These ways to make your internet faster are essential for enabling the kind of seamless remote work that modern businesses depend on. From simple hardware adjustments to strategic software tweaks, these solutions can unlock the performance you are already paying for.
This guide provides ten actionable, data-driven methods to help you diagnose and resolve connectivity issues. We will walk you through troubleshooting your setup, optimizing your devices, and fine-tuning your network settings. By the end of this article, you will have a clear checklist to stop buffering and slow downloads for good, empowering your team to collaborate effortlessly from anywhere.
In this article section
- Run an internet speed test
- Compare internet speed with your ISP plan
- Position your router strategically
- Reboot your modem and router
- Keep your firmware updated
- Extend coverage if needed
- Close background apps and tabs
- Scan for malware
- Clear your browser cache
- Use a wired Ethernet connection
- A faster internet is within your reach
1. Run an internet speed test
Before you can fix a problem, you need to understand it. The first step in troubleshooting your connection is to run an internet speed test. This simple diagnostic tool measures your current connection's key performance metrics, including download speed, upload speed, and latency (or ping). These numbers provide a clear baseline and help you determine if you are actually getting the speeds your ISP has promised.
- Connect your computer directly to your router or modem using an Ethernet cable. This eliminates Wi-Fi signal strength as a variable and shows you the true speed being delivered to your location.
- Close all other applications and browser tabs that could be using bandwidth.
- Run the test using a reputable online service.
- Perform the test a few times at different times of the day to get an average.
2. Compare internet speed with your ISP plan
Once you have your results, compare them to the advertised speeds in your internet plan. A small variance is normal, but if your tested speed is consistently and significantly lower than what you are paying for, the issue might not be on your end. For example, if you pay for 200 Mbps and are only getting 50 Mbps, there is a clear discrepancy that needs to be addressed.
Equipped with this data, you can have a much more productive conversation with your ISP's support team. Inform them of the results from your wired connection tests and the difference between your actual and advertised speeds. Sometimes the issue is a simple provisioning error on their end, a problem with the line to your building, or outdated equipment that they can resolve or replace.
3. Position your router strategically
Your router is the heart of your network, and its physical placement can dramatically impact your Wi-Fi performance. Routers broadcast signals in all directions, so placing yours in a central location in your office or house ensures the most even coverage. Avoid tucking it away in a cabinet, behind a TV, or in a corner on the floor. For best results, elevate the router on a shelf or table to help the signal travel over and around obstacles.
4. Reboot your modem and router
Just like a computer, your router and modem can benefit from a periodic reboot. These devices have their own internal processors and memory, which can get bogged down over time with minor errors or a buildup of cached data. A simple restart, often called a power cycle, can clear these issues and restore performance. We recommend unplugging both your modem and router for at least 30 seconds before plugging them back in. This is one of the easiest ways to speed up your internet for free.
5. Keep your firmware updated
Router manufacturers regularly release firmware updates to improve performance, patch security vulnerabilities, and add new features. However, most routers do not install these updates automatically. You will need to log in to your router’s administrative panel to check for and install the latest firmware. This process is a key part of learning how to increase internet speed in router settings and ensures your hardware is running as efficiently and securely as possible.
6. Extend coverage if needed
If you are in a large space or an office with thick walls, you may have "dead zones" where the Wi-Fi signal is weak or non-existent. In this case, a single router may not be enough. A Wi-Fi extender can help by rebroadcasting the signal to extend its reach, but a more robust solution is a mesh network. Mesh systems use multiple nodes placed around your space to create a single, seamless Wi-Fi network with strong, consistent coverage everywhere.
7. Close background apps and tabs
Often, a slow internet connection is not a network problem but a device problem. Applications running in the background, especially those that sync data to the cloud or download updates, can consume a significant amount of bandwidth without you realizing it. The same goes for having dozens of browser tabs open. To see an immediate improvement, close any applications and tabs you are not actively using. This is a crucial step in how to make your internet faster on PC, especially for resource-intensive tasks.
8. Scan for malware
Malicious software, or malware, is a common culprit behind a mysteriously slow internet connection. Viruses, spyware, and adware can run silently in the background, hogging your system resources and bandwidth as they communicate with external servers. Regularly run a full system scan with a reputable antivirus and anti-malware program to detect and remove any threats. For users wondering how to make the internet faster on Windows 10, the built-in Windows Security tool offers robust protection.
9. Clear your browser cache
Your web browser stores data from websites you visit in a cache to help them load faster on subsequent visits. Over time, this cache can become bloated and outdated, ironically slowing down your browsing experience. Periodically clearing your browser's cache and cookies can resolve these issues and provide a small but noticeable speed boost. This is another simple trick for how to speed up your internet for free.
10. Use a wired Ethernet connection
While Wi-Fi is convenient, it is susceptible to interference and signal degradation. For tasks that demand maximum speed and stability, nothing beats a direct, wired connection. An Ethernet cable provides a faster, more reliable link between your device and your router, eliminating latency and packet loss associated with wireless signals. This is the single most effective way to make internet connection stable and faster, and it is essential for gamers, remote support professionals, and anyone transferring large files.
A faster internet is within your reach
In today's fast-paced digital environment, a slow internet connection is a significant obstacle to productivity. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can systematically diagnose and resolve the most common causes of network slowdowns. From running a simple internet speed test to optimizing your router's position and cleaning up your device's software, you have the power to make a tangible difference in your connection's performance.
A fast, stable internet connection is the foundation of effective remote work and seamless collaboration. When your network runs smoothly, your team can operate at peak efficiency, whether they are accessing files remotely, collaborating on a project in real-time, or providing critical IT support. At TeamViewer, we understand that this level of connectivity is not a luxury. It is a necessity for modern business.