How to check your internet speed

Are your web pages taking an age to load? Perhaps you are having difficulties accessing websites or online services?  

Read on to find out how to check your internet speed, and our top tips for improving your connection.  

Restart your router

The first step is one I’m sure we’re all familiar with. If you’re having issues with your internet, try restarting your router.  

Usually there’s a button or switch on the router itself, but unplugging and re-plugging it back in should have the same effect.  

This clears your routers internal memory and can help your devices connect via a less busy Wi-Fi frequency.  

It’s simple, free, and takes only a few minutes. It’s always worth starting here when troubleshooting. 

Run a speedtest

There are a number of handy websites that let you see exactly how fast the internet connection is on your device, such as Fast.com and Speedtest.net.

This provides two major advantages for troubleshooting your connection.

1. If you have multiple devices, you can check the speed of each device and see whether one of them in particular is having difficulties, or if all your devices have slow speeds.  
2. You can compare the results to your broadband package to make sure you’re getting the speeds you’re paying for. If not, it may be worth getting in touch with your internet service provider, particularly if all your devices are struggling.  

Move closer to your router

If you’re connecting over Wi-Fi, the signal can be degraded by walls, distance, and any other obstructions.  

Doing something as simple as moving one room closer to your router could rectify any connection issues you’re having. 

You can use this in conjunction with the tip above to measure any increase or decrease in performance, based on where your device is located.  

It’s not always convenient to move a device closer to your router, of course, and for those cases it may be worth looking into getting a Wi-Fi range extender. 

We only really recommend doing this if you can determine that it is the distance from the router that’s causing the issue, but they’re relatively inexpensive and could keep you connected wherever you are in your home. 

Try using a wired connection

If location isn’t as important to you, or you’re looking to connect a desktop or laptop to a router in the same room, a simple ethernet cable can work wonders.  

A wired connection often provides a more stable connection and saves you having to worry about finicky Wi-Fi signals.  

It’s not always a convenient solution, but it can really make a difference for devices that need to get the most out of your connection, and it has the added benefit of de-cluttering your airwaves.  

Any device connected through a wired connection isn’t competing with your other devices to get a Wi-Fi signal through.

Get in touch with your ISP

If you’re getting speeds well below what you’re paying for, and none of our other tips have helped, then get in touch with your service provider.  

They should be able to troubleshoot any issues with your router or internet and send out engineers or replacement routers if necessary.  

If you are getting the speeds you pay for, but you’re still struggling with the sluggishness of your internet connection, then you might want to look into upgrading your existing package to benefit from faster speeds.  

Alternatively, you could use a website like Uwitch.com or other comparison websites to seek out the best deal for you in your area.  

You may even discover that you can get faster speeds for less money.