This wikiHow teaches you how to maximize the speed of a slow internet connection. If you are using the cheapest/slowest internet plan from your internet service provider (ISP), you may want to get a higher speed. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to make sure you're still getting the consistent connection speed you're paying for.
Step
Part 1 of 2: Making General Adjustments
Step 1. Update internet-connected devices
Computers, smartphones, tablets, consoles should be updated regularly. Otherwise, you may experience a decrease in internet speed when using the device. Make sure the devices are updated to the latest system.
Most devices will display an alert when an update is available. It is not recommended that you “avoid” these updates
Step 2. Reduce the number of running services
If you have a slow internet connection, usually, you can't run more than one bandwidth-heavy service (e.g. Netflix, online video games, YouTube, etc.) at the same time. However, some services or processes that use small bandwidths can also interfere with your internet speed. Try to focus on one program at a time for optimal speed.
When using a smartphone or console, make sure you stop the application process completely and not just close the window. If the app is still running in the background, it can still reduce internet speed
Step 3. Turn off or disconnect any other devices connected to the internet
Closing programs that consume large bandwidths can improve browser performance, but internet speeds will still be slow if multiple computers, smartphones, or other entertainment devices are still actively connected to the network. You can reduce the number of devices sharing the same internet network by temporarily turning it off.
You can also solve this problem by putting the internet-connected device in airplane mode
Step 4. Change router channel
Many modern routers include two types of bands: the 2.4 GHz band (the standard band for wireless communication) and the 5 GHz band (to accommodate faster downloads so that interference with the network can be reduced). If your router is equipped with the 5 GHz band, switch to that band to prevent interference from other devices connected to the internet and other wireless networks.
- You can usually switch to the 5 GHz band through your device's WiFi settings. Each router has a different name for the 5 GHz band, so check your router's user manual or online documentation first.
- Not all routers are equipped with the 5 GHz band. If your router only has the standard 2.4 GHz band, skip this step.
- Because the 5 GHz band has a smaller range than the 2.4 GHz band, you usually need to use or place internet-connected devices within 3 – 4.5 meters of your router.
Step 5. Use ethernet instead of wireless network
WiFi networks are practical, but they can also cause a lot of problems due to connection problems. If you want to maximize the consistency of your internet connection, connect your computer (or console) to your router or modem via an ethernet cable.
- Mac users need a USB-C Ethernet adapter to connect the computer to the router. Keep in mind that smartphones or tablets cannot connect via ethernet.
- Oftentimes, users who are frustrated with slow internet are more annoyed by network inconsistencies (eg some pages take longer to load than others) than the speed of the internet itself. Therefore, the use of an ethernet cable can solve this problem.
- The highest speed of the internet package that you are using can be obtained by connecting a device (eg computer) directly to the mode (not a router) via an ethernet cable. With this step, internet access will be limited to devices connected via cable only.
Step 6. Scan the computer for viruses
Viruses can slow down anything from computers to internet connections. Using an antivirus program to scan and repair your computer when needed can remove problematic programs.
Part 2 of 2: Optimizing Your Browser
Step 1. Use a fast browser
If you are still using the old version of Internet Explorer or Safari, you will be disappointed with the internet performance, even when you are using fast internet. Therefore, make sure you are using one of the following browsers:
- Chrome and Firefox are very fast browsers for both Windows and Mac computers.
- Microsoft Edge is a minimalistic, but relatively fast browser for Windows 10 users.
- Safari 11 remains the fastest choice for Mac computer users.
Step 2. Remove unwanted add-ons, extensions, and plug-ins. While there are many plug-ins and add-ons that can make your internet surfing experience more efficient, some make it difficult for pages to load quickly. You can reduce the number of add-ons in your browser to increase internet speed by following these steps:
- Chrome - Open Chrome, click the button “ ⋮", choose " More tools ", click " Extensions ", choose " REMOVE ” under the extension you want to remove, click “ Remove ” when prompted, and repeat the steps for other extensions.
- Firefox - Open Firefox, click “ ☰", choose " Add-ons ", click " Remove ” to the right of the extension you want to remove, and repeat the process for other extensions.
- Edge - Open Edge, click the button “ ⋯", click " Extensions ”, click the gear icon to the right of the extension you want to remove, and select “ Uninstall " Click " Ok ” when prompted, then repeat the steps for other extensions.
- Safari - Open Safari, click “ Safari ", click " Preferences…, select tabs " Extensions ”, select an extension name, and click “ Uninstall " Confirm deletion when prompted, then repeat this step for other extensions.
Step 3.
Don't use more than a few tabs at once.
Opening multiple tabs doesn't immediately affect internet speed, but it can slow down your browser's performance. The combination of a slow browser with a slow internet network can certainly make you grumpy. Therefore, limit the number of open tabs to five (or less).
Do not open more than one browser window at a time. Stick to one browser (eg Chrome) at a time to make sure your internet network isn't “overwhelmed” to support content on two browsers at once.
This is especially important if you use bandwidth-heavy services (eg YouTube) in one of your browsers
Stream only when you are not doing other work. It may be tempting to watch a show or movie from Netflix or play a track from YouTube while working on a task in a different window. However, this kind of activity causes a general drop in internet speed.
Changing DNS Settings on Windows
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Make sure the computer is On_Computer_Windows_sub connected to the internet. To change DNS settings, your computer must be connected to the internet.
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Open the Start menu
. Click the Windows logo in the lower-left corner of the screen. After that, the Start menu will be opened.
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Open "Settings"
. Click the gear icon in the lower-left corner of the Start menu.
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Click
"Networks & Internet". It's a globe icon in the middle of the “Settings” window.
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Click Change adapter options. This option is under the " Change your network settings " heading at the top of the page.
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Select the current network. Double click" Wi-Fi " (or " Ethernet ” if you are using a wired connection) with the network name. After that, a pop-up window will be displayed.
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Click Properties. It's in the lower-left corner of the pop-up window. After that, another window will be displayed.
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Select Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4). This line of text is in the middle of the window.
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Click Properties. It's at the bottom of the window. Once clicked, the “Properties” window will be opened.
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Check the "Use the following DNS server addresses" box. This box is at the bottom of the window. Once marked, two text boxes at the bottom of the window will open.
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Enter the DNS address. Both Google and OpenDNS offer free DNS addresses. You can choose one of the following combinations:
- Google - Enter 8.8.8.8 in the "Preferred DNS server" field, then enter 8.8.4.4 in the "Alternate DNS server" field.
- OpenDNS - Enter 208.67.222.222 in the " Preferred DNS server " field, then enter 208.67. 220.220 in the " Alternate DNS server " field.
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Save changes. Click the button " OK ” at the bottom of the first “Properties” window, click “ Close ” at the bottom of the second “Properties” window, and click “ Close ” in the "Status" window.
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For_Windows_sub Clear the computer's DNS cache. You can clear the cache by typing the command ipconfig /flushdns in the Command Prompt program and pressing Enter.
Clearing the DNS cache helps resolve website loading errors that occur the next time you open your browser
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Restart the computer. Click menu Start
choose Power ”
and click Restart ” on the pop-up menu. After the computer finishes restarting, the new DNS settings will take effect when you open your browser.
You may experience a speed drop at the beginning when visiting some sites. This happens because the DNS library needs to repopulate the information via a new DNS address
Changing DNS Settings on Mac
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Make sure the computer is On_Computer_Mac_sub connected to the internet. To change DNS settings, your computer must be connected to the internet.
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Open Apple menu
. Click the Apple logo in the upper-left corner of the screen. After that, a drop-down menu will be displayed.
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Click System Preferences…. It's at the top of the drop-down menu.
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Click Networks. This globe icon is in the “System Preferences” window.
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Select an internet connection. On the left side of the window, click the WiFi connection your Mac is currently using.
If you are using ethernet, click “ Ethernet ”.
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Click Advanced…. It's in the lower-right corner of the window. After that, a pop-up window will be displayed.
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Click the DNS tab. It's a tab at the top of the pop-up window.
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Click. It's in the lower-left corner of the window. Once clicked, a new text field will be created in the " DNS Servers " column.
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Enter the primary DNS address. Type in the address of the primary DNS server that you want to use. Both Google and OpenDNS offer free servers that you can use:
- Google - Enter 8.8.8.8 in the address field.
- OpenDNS - Enter 208.67.222.222 in the address field.
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Enter an alternate DNS address. Click the button again + ”, then enter one of the following addresses:
- Google - Enter 8.8.4.4.
- OpenDNS - Enter 208.67.220.220.
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Click OK. It's at the bottom of the window. After that, the settings will be saved and the "Advanced" pop-up window will be closed.
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Click Apply. It's at the bottom of the window. DNS settings will be applied to the internet connection from this point on.
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For_Mac_sub Clear the computer's DNS cache. You can clear the cache by typing sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder;say DNS cache has been flushed in the Terminal window and pressing Enter.
Clearing the DNS cache helps resolve website loading errors that may occur the next time you open your browser
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Restart the Mac computer. Click Apple menu
choose " Restart…, and click " Restart ' when prompted. After restarting the computer, the new DNS settings will take effect when you open your browser.
You may experience a speed drop at the beginning when visiting some sites. This happens because the DNS library needs to repopulate the information via a new DNS address
Tips
You can disable images in Google Chrome to prevent the browser from loading images on web pages. This step can drastically increase browsing speed
Warning
- Be careful with spyware cleaning programs or other programs that claim to increase computer/browser performance. Many programs like this don't work properly and instead load surveillance devices (or reduce computer performance). Always find out the program you want to use before downloading it. Go to trusted websites for reviews (not testimonials) from other users.
- Do not run more than one virus scan at a time. Some virus scanner programs will only interfere with each other so the virus can "sneak in".
- Do not download a speed booster or "speed booster" program for your connection. Most programs like this don't work and, if they do have an impact, will only slow down the connection speed. The same is true for memory management programs.
- https://www.digitaltrends.com/computing/best-browser-internet-explorer-vs-chrome-vs-firefox-vs-safari-vs-edge/2/
- https://developers.google.com/speed/public-dns/
- https://use.opendns.com/
- https://support.apple.com/kb/PH25577?locale=en_US
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https://www.youtube.com/embed/9Gs5knX-j0I
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