This article shows you how to speed up a slow internet connection. If you are using the basic package offered by your ISP (your internet connection manager), it is very likely that your line speed is not satisfactory. However, there are a number of helpful steps to try and make the most of the connection you have.
Steps
Part 1 of 4: General Solutions
Step 1. Update the software of the devices you access the web with
Modern computers, smartphones, tablets and consoles need to be constantly updated in order to offer the best in terms of performance. Failure to do so could prevent him from properly exploiting the internet connection. So make sure that all electronic devices that have access to the web are up to date.
Most modern devices are set up to notify you when a new update is available. Avoiding updating your electronic devices is a risky practice and not recommended by experts
Step 2. Minimize the number of running programs, applications or services
When you have a slow internet line available, it would be better to avoid using more than one program at the same time that needs to use the bandwidth of the connection massively (for example Netflix, online video games, YouTube, etc.). On the other hand, even the simultaneous use of multiple programs and applications that use a minimum part of the internet connection bandwidth leads to the same result, that is, a drastic decrease in line speed. To have the maximum possible speed available, it is advisable to use only one program at a time.
When using a smartphone or game console, make sure that applications and programs are completely closed once you have stopped using them. Applications and processes left running in the background will continue to use the internet connection, helping to decrease overall speed
Step 3. Turn off any electronic devices you are not using
While closing all computer programs and applications that use the web connection allows you to increase browser performance, the maximum speed of the internet line may still be limited if there are other computers, smartphones, consoles or devices active and connected to the network.. To solve the problem, minimize the number of devices connected to the network with which you will have to share the internet connection by turning off those that are not essential or that you are not using.
Activate the "airplane" mode of all devices that do not necessarily need to access the web
Step 4. Change the radio channel of the Wi-Fi router
Many modern network routers have two frequency bands for Wi-Fi signal transmission: one at 2.4 GHz (the standard band for wireless communications) and the other at 5 GHz (which guarantees faster downloads. and less interference). If the Wi-Fi router managing the wireless network has the 5 GHz broadcast band, turn it on. This will reduce interference from other electronic and wireless devices.
- Normally, to switch to using the router's 5 GHz connection, you need to access the Wi-Fi settings section of the administration page of the network device. It should be noted that each router indicates the 5 GHz communication mode differently, so rely on the instruction manual of your device or consult the online documentation to find out how to activate this feature.
- Remember that not all routers on the market can use the 5 GHz broadcast band. If your network device can only use the standard 2.4 GHz band, skip this step.
- Since the 5 GHz broadcast band has a shorter range than the 2.4 GHz broadcast band, you may need to bring all devices that need to connect to the router closer to each other by a few meters.
Step 5. Use a wired connection using an Ethernet cable instead of a wireless one
A Wi-Fi network is very practical to use, but it has the disadvantage that it causes many problems with the stability and quality of the network connection. If you need a fast and stable network connection, consider connecting your computer (or console) directly to your router or modem via an Ethernet cable.
- Modern Macs don't come with an RJ-45 network port, so you'll need to buy a USB-C to Ethernet adapter in this case. Unfortunately, it is not possible to connect a smartphone or tablet directly to the router or modem via an Ethernet cable.
- In most cases, users who complain about the slowness of their internet line actually have a problem related to the weakness of the radio signal of the Wi-Fi connection (for example when some web pages are loaded normally while others are very slow in being displayed) rather than a real line speed problem. To fix this, use a wired network connection using an Ethernet cable.
- To be able to get the maximum possible speed from your internet line, you need to connect a device (for example your computer) directly to the modem (not to the network router) using an Ethernet cable. In some cases this type of connection will favor internet access for devices that use a direct wired connection over all others connected to the LAN.
Step 6. Scan your computer using antivirus software
Viruses and malware can cause many computer-related problems, including decreased internet speed. Use antivirus software to check the status of your computer and possibly fix the problem if a malicious program is found.
Part 2 of 4: Optimizing Internet Browser Operation
Step 1. Use a fast browser
If you normally use Internet Explorer or an older version of Safari, you will end up being disappointed with web browsing, even if your internet line is very fast. Consider using one of the following internet browsers:
- Chrome and Firefox are extremely fast browsers and are available for both Windows and Mac systems.
- Microsoft Edge is the browser built into the Windows 10 operating system, and while it's fast, it's not one of the fastest.
- Safari 11 is the best choice for all Mac owners.
Step 2. Uninstall all unnecessary add-ons, extensions and plugins
While many of these tools can make web browsing more efficient, others can create problems with web page loading speed. To improve your web browsing speed, uninstall all unnecessary add-ons by following these instructions:
- Chrome - start Chrome, press the button ⋮, choose the option Other tools, select the item Extensions, click the link Remove for the extension to delete and, when prompted, press the button Remove. Repeat the process for all items to be deleted;
- Firefox - start Firefox, press the button ☰, choose the option Additional components, then press the button Remove located on the right of the item to be removed. Repeat the process for all components you want to uninstall;
- Edge - launch Edge, press the button ⋯, choose the option Extensions, click the gear icon on the right of the item to remove and press the button Uninstall. When prompted, press the button Ok and repeat the process for all other extensions to be removed;
- Safari - start Safari, access the menu Safari, choose the option Preferences…, access the tab Extensions, select the name of the extension to remove and press the button Uninstall. When prompted, confirm that you want to uninstall the selected item and repeat the procedure to remove all other unnecessary extensions.
Step 3. Avoid opening more than 2-3 tabs at the same time
Opening many browser tabs simultaneously does not necessarily have a negative impact on the speed of the internet line, but it can slow down the normal functioning of the browser. The perfect recipe for frustration is pairing a slow browser with a poor internet connection, so try to limit the number of open pages to less than 5.
Step 4. Never open more than one browser window at a time
Try to use only one program (for example Google Chrome). This way you can be sure that your network connection won't be strained by having to support requests from two browsers running at the same time.
This rule is very important especially if you are using a browser to access a very expensive web service in terms of internet connection bandwidth (for example, streaming a video on YouTube)
Step 5. Use online streaming services only when you are not performing other activities
While it is possible to watch Netflix video content or listen to YouTube music while you are performing other operations with another program, this behavior causes an overall slowdown in your web connection.
Part 3 of 4: Change DNS Protocol Settings (Windows)
Step 1. Make sure your computer is connected to the internet
In order to change the DNS server settings of the network connection, the system must be connected to the internet.
Step 2. Access the "Start" menu by clicking the icon
It features the Windows logo and is located in the lower left corner of the desktop. The "Start" menu will appear.
Step 3. Launch the Settings app by clicking the icon
It features a gear and is located at the bottom left of the "Start" menu.
Step 4. Select "Network and Internet" by clicking the icon
It features a globe and is visible in the center of the screen.
Step 5. Choose the Change adapter options item
It is located within the "Change Network Settings" section located in the central part of the page.
Step 6. Choose the current active network connection
Double click on the icon Wifi (or Ethernet if you are using a wired network connection) characterized by the name of the network to which the computer is connected. A new window will appear.
Step 7. Press the Properties button
It is located in the lower left part of the appeared window. A new dialog will appear.
Step 8. Select the Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP / IPv4) network protocol
It is listed within the "This connection uses the following items:" pane of the "Network" tab.
Step 9. Press the Properties button
It is located in the lower left part of the window. The "Properties" window of the selected item will be displayed.
Step 10. Select the "Use the following DNS server addresses" option
It is located at the bottom of the window that appeared. In this way you can enter the desired information in the two text fields in the lower part of the window.
Step 11. Enter the DNS server addresses
Both Google and OpenDNS offer free and reliable DNS service, so choose which one to use and follow these instructions:
- Google - type the 8.8.8.8 address in the "Preferred DNS server" text field, then enter the 8.8.4.4 IP address in the "Alternative DNS server" field;
- OpenDNS - enter 208.67.222.222 into the "Preferred DNS Server" text field, then enter the IP address 208.67.220.220 into the "Alternate DNS Server" field.
Step 12. Save the new changes
Push the button OK located in the lower part of the "Properties" window relating to the "TCP / IP version 4" network protocol. Push the button Close located in the lower part of the "Properties" window relating to the "Wi-Fi" network connection and finally press the "Close" button in the "Wi-Fi Status" window.
Step 13. Empty the computer's DNS cache
Type the command ipconfig / flushdns inside the Windows "Command Prompt" and press the Enter key.
Clearing your computer's DNS client cache is helpful in solving web page loading problems you may encounter the next time you open your browser
Step 14. Restart your computer
Access the menu Start clicking the icon
choose the option Stop characterized by the icon
then choose the option Reboot the system from the menu that will appear. The new DNS client settings will be applied as soon as the computer completes the boot phase.
When visiting some websites you may notice slowdowns compared to usual, this is due to the fact that the DNS client cache is empty and must be rebuilt using the new IP addresses of the pages you visit (this problem occurs only at the first access to a site, from subsequent visits onwards everything will return to work normally)
Part 4 of 4: Change DNS Protocol Settings (Mac)
Step 1. Make sure your computer is connected to the internet
In order to change the DNS server settings of the network connection, the system must be connected to the internet.
Step 2. Enter the "Apple" menu by clicking the icon
It features the Apple logo and is located in the upper left corner of the screen. A drop-down menu will appear.
Step 3. Choose the System Preferences… item
It is one of the options present in the drop-down menu that appeared. The "System Preferences" dialog box will appear.
Step 4. Click the Network icon
It has a globe and is listed in the "System Preferences" window.
Step 5. Select the currently active network connection
Choose the Wi-Fi connection listed in the left pane of the window that appeared.
If you are using a wired connection using an Ethernet cable, you will need to select the option Ethernet.
Step 6. Press the Advanced… button
It is located in the lower right part of the window. A new pop-up window will appear.
Step 7. Go to the DNS tab
It is listed at the top of the Advanced Network Settings window.
Step 8. Press the ＋ button
It is located in the lower left part of the window. A text field will be added to the "DNS Server" box.
Step 9. Enter the IP address of the primary DNS server
Both Google and OpenDNS offer a free and reliable DNS service that you can use:
- Google - enter the IP address 8.8.8.8;
- OpenDNS - enter the IP address 208.67.222.222.
Step 10. Enter the IP address of the secondary DNS server
Press the button again ＋, then enter one of the two IP addresses listed below:
- Google - enter the IP address 8.8.4.4;
- OpenDNS - enter the IP address 208.67.220.220.
Step 11. Press the OK button
It is located at the bottom of the window. The changes to the network connection configuration will be saved and the advanced settings window will close.
Step 12. Press the Apply button
It is located at the bottom of the "Network" window. The new network connection settings will be applied immediately.
Step 13. Clear the Mac's DNS cache
Type the following command sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder; say DNS cache has been flushed within a "Terminal" window and press the Enter key.
Clearing your computer's DNS client cache is helpful in solving web page loading problems you may encounter the next time you open your browser
Step 14. Restart the Mac
Access the menu Apple clicking the icon
choose the option Restart …, then press the button Restart when required. The new DNS client settings will be applied as soon as the computer completes the boot phase.
When visiting some websites you may notice slowdowns compared to usual, this is due to the fact that the DNS client cache is empty and must be rebuilt using the IP addresses of the pages you visit (this problem occurs only at the first access to a site, from subsequent visits onwards everything will return to normal functioning)
Advice
If you wish, you can disable the display of images by Google Chrome in order to significantly speed up web browsing, since this type of content will not be loaded and displayed
Warnings
- Be wary of all programs that claim to be able to eliminate spyware and those that claim to improve the performance of a computer. Many of these software do not work and can be vehicles for viruses, malware and spyware and in the worst cases they are responsible for a decrease in the performance of the entire system. Before installing a program on your computer, always do an online search to find out what it actually is. Always rely on ratings from trusted and trusted websites and professionals and user reviews.
- Do not install more than one antivirus software on your computer. Otherwise the different antiviruses will interfere with each other causing a decrease in the performance of the entire computer and increasing the likelihood that viruses and malware can infect it and get out of control.
- Avoid installing programs that are said to speed up your internet connection. Most of these software don't work and in some cases it just makes the situation worse. The same goes for programs that should optimize the use of RAM.
