As long as everything is running smoothly, having a broadband connection at home can open up the internet in ways that were previously impossible. However, many people suffer from connections that are slower than advertised, sporadic or simply not up to scratch. Here are six ways you can try and fix this issue before you have to get in touch with your provider.
Browse in Off-Peak Hours
The web is a little bit like a regular road, in that during certain points of the day it is full of traffic, while at other times it is quieter and less congested. Peak periods during the evening hours can range between 6pm and 10-12pm, which is the time during which most people are going online after school and work. If you have the option to browse during the less popular times, then you will find that your broadband connection will feel much faster. The bandwidth is not being stretched by lots of other customers in your area all trying to send and receive data at the same time.
Optimise Your PC
If your computer is contaminated by viruses and other malicious software programs, then you could find that your web connection crawls along at a snail’s pace. This is why using a firewall to prevent hackers from infecting your PC and regularly scanning your hard drive for viruses is sensible. This will not only protect your personal information and browsing habits, but should give you a swifter, slicker online experience.
Manage Your Broadband Connection
Many different things can have an impact on your web browsing experience, including the number of people are using your connection at the same time and the types of activities you are engaged in while you are online. If, for example, you are trying to stream a video or surf the web at speed, then you should try and pause any large downloads that may be running in the background, as this can compromise the quality of the other services you are using. Schedule large downloads for when you are away from your PC so that you can make the most out of the web when you need it.
Secure Your Wi-Fi Network
Having a wireless network available at home is very useful, but if you leave it unprotected you could find that third parties are accessing it and piggybacking on your broadband connection without your permission. This could adversely affect the speed of your service and could also lead to problems if these third parties are conducting illegal activities such as file sharing on your connection, because you are ultimately responsible for what goes on. Putting a password on your wi-fi is easy and you can then share this only with people you know.
Stick to Your Data Allowance
Sometimes, broadband providers will limit the amount of information you can download and upload in a given month and if you exceed this cap you could find that your connection speed is throttled. Even unlimited data plans will have a fair-use policy which, if not adhered to, might result in your broadband speeds being reduced deliberately by your provider.
Upgrade Your Router
Not all routers are equal. If your broadband service is only intermittently available and your provider reports no problems, then the router equipment could be the issue. A good router is not that expensive and the investment will give you a much better web experience.
These courses of action are not all guaranteed to prevent the quality of your broadband degrading, but they are a good place to start.
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