How to Troubleshoot Slow Internet
Follow this step-by-step guide to diagnose and fix common internet speed and connectivity issues.
1. Run a Network Test
Start by running a complete network test on our homepage. This will measure your packet loss, latency, jitter, and show you the hop-by-hop path analysis. Save or screenshot these results for reference.
Run Network Test2. Check Your Local Network
Many slow internet issues originate from your local network, not your ISP.
- Restart your modem and router — Unplug for 30 seconds, then plug back in. Wait 2-3 minutes for full reconnection.
- Check WiFi signal strength — Move closer to your router or consider a wired Ethernet connection for testing.
- Reduce network congestion — Pause downloads, streaming, or other devices using bandwidth.
- Check for interference — Microwaves, cordless phones, and neighboring WiFi networks can cause issues on 2.4GHz.
3. Analyze Your Test Results
Look for these red flags in your network test results:
- High packet loss (>1%) — Indicates network congestion, faulty equipment, or ISP issues.
- High latency (>100ms) — Could be geographic distance, congestion, or routing problems.
- High jitter (>30ms) — Unstable connection affecting real-time applications.
- Loss at specific hops — Check the Reverse Path Analysis to identify where problems occur.
4. Check Your Equipment
Hardware problems are a common cause of slow internet.
- Test with a wired connection — If WiFi is slow but Ethernet is fast, the issue is wireless.
- Try a different device — Rule out device-specific problems.
- Check Ethernet cables — Damaged cables can cause packet loss and slow speeds.
- Router/modem age — Equipment older than 5 years may need replacement.
5. Contact Your ISP
If problems persist after checking your local network, contact your ISP with your test results.
- Share your test results — Packet loss, latency, and hop-by-hop data help support diagnose issues.
- Ask about outages — There may be known issues in your area.
- Request a line test — ISPs can check for problems between your home and their network.
- Check your plan — Ensure you're getting the speeds you're paying for.
Want More Detail?
For a comprehensive, step-by-step approach to diagnosing slow internet — including wired testing, Wi-Fi signal analysis, and RSSI measurements — check out our advanced guide.
Read Advanced GuideStill Having Issues?
If you've tried all the steps above and still experience slow internet, the problem may be:
- • ISP infrastructure issues — Problems beyond your home network
- • Peering/routing issues — How your ISP connects to other networks
- • Time-of-day congestion — Peak usage hours in your area
- • Distance to servers — Geographic latency that can't be reduced