Though the Federal Government has been laying broadband infrastructure to make the internet pervasive and increase its speed across the country, slow internet connection still drives many Nigerians crazy.
But the good news is, tech experts said internet speed could be increased in a few quick steps. Some practical tips to speed up your internet have been given by experts and a few of them could help us here in Nigeria. But first, you should know how to test your internet speed.
How to test your current internet speed
Testing your internet speed is a good starting point to see what you’re working with.
To do so, just head to an online speed test tool like Speedtest.net. Click ‘GO’ and the tool will calculate your download and upload speeds.
Download Mbps
How quickly you can pull data from a server on the internet to your device. This tends to be much faster than upload speed.
Upload Mbps
How quickly you send data from your device to the internet.
You can also compare your speed test results to the speeds your Internet Service Provider (ISP) offers, to see if it’s drastically underperforming.
However, remember to be realistic. Most ISPs advertise speeds like “Up to 500Mbps!” in their internet plans, but this is only a theoretical potential.
In reality, your speeds won’t really come close. The best thing to do is to call your ISP and ask them for a realistic speed estimate for your area.
Effective tips to speed up your internet
Reset your router and modem
It’s simple, but turning something on and off again can solve a lot of internet speed headaches. Try rebooting your wireless router by doing the following:
1. Turn off the router
2. Unplug the power cord
3. Wait 10 – 20 seconds
4. Plug in power cord
5. Turn it back on and wait for it to reconnect
If you have a modem that’s separate from your router, reset that too.
Rebooting your router helps to clear cached memories and background processes that aren’t necessary. It’s a great way to invigorate your connection to your ISP.
It can be so effective that many ISPs suggest you reset it every month.
Adjust your router’s antennas
If your router has external adjustable antennas, try tweaking them.
Router antennas are usually omnidirectional, Signals are sent out perpendicular to the antenna, which means a vertical antenna will send out horizontal signals, and vice versa.
If you’re trying to connect to a router that’s on another floor of your house, try flipping the antenna horizontally.
But, if you don’t see antennas on your router – don’t panic. Many routers are built with antennas within the device shell.
Clear your cache and browsing history
A cache is where browsers collect bits of information about you when you visit and interact with websites.
Make it a habit to clear your cache and browsing history regularly. This will ensure all that accumulated data doesn’t drag your internet speeds down.
Check your data cap
ISPs typically put a data cap on the amount of data you can use each month. If you exceed your datacap, then your ISP is probably going to restrict your internet speed considerably.
The easiest way to check IF you have a data cap is to grab a past bill and check the fine print. If you find yourself going over the cap every month, it’s probably time to upgrade your plan.
However, data throttling has also become more common since COVID-19 has forced more people to work from home. In order to cope with this shift in demand, many ISPs have had to respond by throttling users.
Run a scan using antivirus software
Malware can take a heavy toll on your internet speeds. To check if it’s the culprit, run a virus and malware scan on your system using a decent antivirus security suite.
If any threats are identified, you can remove them and see if this speeds things up.
Check your web browser
There are a couple of ways your web browser may slow you down:
Lots of tabs and windows open?
Close any that aren’t necessary. Having lots of open media can really slow down your connection.
Out of date
Check to see if you’re running the latest version of your browser and update it if not.
Just a bad browser
Some browsers offer faster browsing experiences than others. Try switching browser and see if it’s any quicker.
Use an ad blocker
Most websites will flood your screen with eye-catching ads – often with large images or auto-played videos. They can chomp up lots of your data and slow your internet.
To cut these out of your browsing experience, consider using a decent ad-blocker. Adblock Plus is a popular one, and some VPNs like NordVPN and Surfshark also include them.
Relocate your wireless router
Did you know your router’s signals can be blocked or slowed by physical obstacles in their path?
Moving your router to a better location can often give you better signal quality and faster speeds.
Moving it into a more open space, away from obstacles (especially metal ones). Opening doors can also help.
Move it closer to where the connected devices are. Perhaps towards the middle of your house, on the floor you’re on the most.
Update firmware for your router
Make sure your router is always updated with the latest firmware. This helps keep it secure and running at peak performance
Many newer routers will update firmware automatically. Check to see if that’s the case – if not, you should periodically log into your router’s interface and check if there are updates available.
Disconnect unused devices connected to the internet
Try disconnecting any non-essential devices from your network. Things like old phones or forgotten tablets that have been nibbling away at bandwidth.
Some routers these days come with an app that can display all the devices connected to your home network. From there, it’s easy to disconnect any unwanted devices.
If your router doesn’t have an app, your best bet is to just change your network’s Wi-Fi password. You’ll then need to log back into the network with each device using the new password.
It might be a bit tedious if you have a lot of devices, but it’s a comprehensive way to clear unnecessary connections.
Check for any unwanted guests
Adding onto the last point – you should also check to see if there is anyone else freeloading off your Wi-Fi.
If you haven’t secured your home network (and especially if you haven’t changed the default username and password), then it’s pretty easy for a neighbour to connect to it and slurp up some delicious, free bandwidth.
First, make sure you secure your Wi-Fi connection. Second, kick off any Wi-Fi freeloaders.
Find your router/ISP’s best settings
Many people aren’t aware that they can tweak the settings of their router. Just because a router is using its default settings doesn’t mean these are its optimum settings.
Visit your router and ISP’s website to check the recommended settings. Then, log in to your router so you can compare and update its settings.
Change your router’s band and/or channel
WiFi supports two different frequency bands – 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz. Some routers are dual-band routers, which lets you choose between them.
· 2.4 GHz band – Best for larger Wi-Fi coverage, but with slower speed.
5 GHz band – Best for faster speeds, but with smaller coverage.
On top of that, routers broadcast Wi-Fi signals on a specific channel.
Some channels will tend to be more congested than others, especially if you’re living in an urban area where neighbouring Wi-Fi signals can cause interference. Ideally, you’d all be on the same channel or on channels that don’t interact.
Replace your modem or router
Tech is changing at lightspeed. Even if you’ve bought top-of-the-range hardware, it’s eventually going to become obsolete. Older models will slowly lag behind the type of internet offered by ISPs as they try to evolve and stay competitive.
If you’re buying a new router, look for one that supports 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz frequency bands and uses a network management app.
And, of course, check whether your new modem and routers are compatible with your internet plan and ISP network.
Change your internet plan or ISP
If nothing else is working to improve your internet speed, you should consider changing your internet plan or your ISP.
Try talking to your provider about your speed issues. As well as helping you to troubleshoot, they may be able to recommend a better plan for your needs.
Downside is – it will probably cost you more. Make sure to read up on reviews to see what other customers have experienced.
Lastly – If your internet provider is going to give you a slow connection no matter how many other tips you try, consider a swap to another ISP servicing your area.
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