The speed of your wireless connection can decrease for several reasons: improper router configuration, interference from devices, and bandwidth throttling. To make your Comcast wireless connection faster, read these tips and advice.
Steps
Part 1 of 4: Check the Basics
Step 1. Check the speed
Use the Comcast Xfinity Speed Test to find out how much your download and upload speeds are actually worth. It will be used as a diagnostic tool.
Step 2. Check if your bandwidth is limited
If your connection seems slower during peak hours or partially during downloads, Comcast may have limited your bandwidth.
Step 3. Find out what speed you are paying for
Compare the speeds obtained from the test with that guaranteed by your contract. You may need to call Comcast to find out. You can also ask the reason for the possible limitation, if you discovered it in the previous step.
If you've found the speed you're paying for but feel it's too slow, you may want to upgrade to a higher speed
Step 4. Check your consumption
Are there several people in your home who connect at the same time? Is there anyone who is downloading something large, like a movie or playing an online game? This can significantly slow down your internet connection.
Step 5. Make sure you have a secure wireless connection
Just like above, if your neighbors are putting pressure on your bandwidth using your connection, it will be slower for everyone.
Step 6. Take into consideration where you live
Some areas simply have very slow internet. If you live in a large or modern city, this shouldn't be a problem. However, if you live in a rural area or area that hasn't seen the recent infrastructure upgrade, Comcast's connecting equipment may be dated. For more information, call Comcast.
Your position within a given environment can also make a difference. Try moving close to the router. If your connection improves, you will know that your location was part of the problem
Part 2 of 4: Check the Computer
Step 1. Make your computer faster
An overworked processor gets bogged down even with the fastest internet connection.
Step 2. Check your antivirus software
First, run a scan for viruses and other malware. A virus will make the connection significantly slower. Then make sure the software itself doesn't slow down the system too much. Many of the more common anti-virus programs can significantly slow down your system.
Try switching to a faster antivirus program, like Avast
Step 3. Consider switching browsers
Some browsers are significantly faster than others. If you think the browser may be the problem, you may want to switch to Chrome, as it's usually the fastest one (which is compatible with most sites).
Step 4. Close programs that are putting pressure on your network
Close programs that communicate with the internet but are not currently in use. Examples of such programs are Skype and software updates.
Part 3 of 4: Check the DNS Server
Step 1. Check the DNS Server
The DNS Server (or Domain Name System) is a kind of telephone book for the internet. The computer will choose one to use automatically: using the wrong one, however, would be like using a 10 kilo paper address book instead of Google. If nothing else works, it is a good idea to manually find a better DNS server. This can improve internet speed significantly.
Step 2. Get a DNS resolution service
These are programs that find the best DNS Server to use. A good, reliable and respectable program is Google's "namebench".
Step 3. Use the program to find the best DNS Server for your area
It is usually the one that is geographically closest.
Step 4. Change your computer settings
Change your computer's default settings to the recommended DNS Server. This is done differently depending on the operating system.
- On a PC, click in the Control Panel on Network and Internet → Network and Sharing Center → Manage Network Connections. Right-click on the connection you want to change and then choose Properties. Click Network → This connection uses the following → Properties, then add a DNS address to the specified area.
- On Mac, click System Preferences → Network → Select your connection → Advanced → DNS and then add the new DNS server.
Part 4 of 4: Check the Router
Step 1. Position the router correctly
If you have a large house, place it in a central location if possible. Do not place it near your modem or other wireless devices, as this can cause line interference. For example, a 2.4 GHz router may conflict with a 2.4 GHz phone. If necessary, purchase a longer cable to allow you to distance the modem as much from the router as possible.
Step 2. Configure your router properly
write 192.168.1.1 in the internet address bar to connect to the router and enter your username and password. Once you have access, go to Settings and make sure the specifications listed here are those recommended by Comcast. You can find them in the information package obtained when you first set up your Internet connection or online.
- If you've never set up a username and password, use the router's default settings, which can be found in the manual or search online. The username is usually admin and the default password is often password or it should be left blank.
- To be sure, write down the current router settings before changing them. This will save you from setbacks.
Step 3. Consider buying a new router
If the above tips fail, the problem may lie in the router not fast enough to handle the speed of the connection you are paying for. Compare the mbps (megabits per second) value of any new candidates to those of your old router to see what your options are. If you play online or do heavy downloads, you may need to choose a router per gigabyte.
- Make sure your router is Comcast approved. Some may not work well with Comcast's equipment.
- Try to get a G or N wireless router with WPA or WPA2 support, which offer better encryption protection than WEP - if you have an older computer or laptop, make sure it can handle the new encryption formats.
Advice
- Make sure you turn off the auto-update of any software other than antivirus on your PC. Set a download time at a time when you know you're not working. In this way the connection remains active, but you will continue to always have the software version updated.
- If you have (or install) a secondary firewall, be sure to disable the computer's default firewall. Using two firewalls at the same time will cause you connection problems.
- Do not use a splitter cable, as it may degrade the flow of the connection.
- Use anti-virus / spyware programs to eliminate software that is hogging your Internet connection. Free anti-virus programs include AVG, BitDefender, and Avast !, and free anti-spyware software includes Ad-Aware, Spybot - Search & Destroy, and SUPERAntiSpyware.
- If you are not computer savvy, avoid using the Voice over IP (VOIP) service, which can cause problems.
- Also try installing a personal firewall to help block unwanted hackers and control which programs access the internet. Free firewalls include Comodo and Jetico.
- If you are going to download a large file, do it with a download manager. That way, even if you lose your connection in the middle of a download, you don't have to start from scratch.
