Are you tired of wondering, 'Why is the internet so slow'? We feel your pain. Whether you're downloading those important documents, streaming a movie, or saving an alien planet from hideous invaders, nothing is guaranteed to ruin your night-in like a slow internet connection.
Your Wi-Fi connection speed is affected by multiple factors, including:
If you find yourself battling slow WiFi speeds, here are some quick tips to bring those internet speed issues under control.
One of the quickest and easiest ways to understand if there's an issue with your internet connection is to perform a live speed test. The test will measure the following three areas:
This refers to the maximum rate of time that it takes for your wireless connection to retrieve data and information from the wider internet and transfer it back to your personal device. If you're always asking yourself, 'Why is my download speed so slow?' the answer might lie in network congestion or the number of electronic devices competing for bandwidth. This can affect everything from the quality of video and music streams to the loading times of web pages and online images.
The reverse of download speed! Upload speed measures how quickly your internet connection sends information from your personal device to the wider internet. This affects activities such as sending emails and video calling.
A phrase well known to gamers across the globe, PING measures the reaction time of your network connection, counting the milliseconds it takes for data to travel between your computer and external servers. Lower PING means better internet performance, especially for online gaming, where fast connection speeds are crucial.
Factors that may influence your network speed include your device and its capabilities, your OS, your web browser, the number of connected devices, and whether you're connecting wirelessly to the router or using an ethernet cable. If you think the speed test result is indicating poor performance, we definitely want to hear about it! Contact us on 0800 10 18 10.
If you're using a standard router and want the best performance possible, we recommend placing it in the centre of your home to maximise your Wi-Fi coverage. If you have specific wireless devices that demand higher bandwidth, like smart TVs or gaming consoles, consider placing your router nearby to ensure a faster internet connection.
One quick and easy way to boost wireless speeds for a specific device is simply to connect it directly to your router via an ethernet cable. A wired connection typically provides faster internet speeds than a wireless connection. Alternatively, consider investing in wireless network adapters or extenders to boost Wi-Fi signal strength in areas with poor coverage.
Does a better router improve WiFi speed? If your internet is slow, installing a whole-home mesh system is the crème de la crème of options at your disposal, and we think it nets the best long-term results. Modern whole-home mesh WiFi systems like our Total Home WiFi help eliminate WiFi dead spots and allow users to connect up to 100 different devices to the home network.
Our Total Home WiFi routers come in packs of two or three, allowing you to maximise coverage throughout your home.
Get in touch with Mercury today if you’re looking for the best new router for your home - we’ll be able to help match you with a great option for your space size and WiFi speed requirements.