How to Troubleshoot Slow Internet — Step by Step

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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 Test

2. 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 Guide

Still 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