The simplest way to increase your download speed is to buy a faster Internet connection – but I’m going to assume you’re looking for a different type of solution, given that you’re reading this article.
The first way to improve your download speed, paradoxically enough, is to make certain you aren’t uploading anything. Most US broadband connections are asymmetrical, which means you have much less available upload bandwidth than you have download bandwidth. A typical connection might offer 25 to 50Mbps down, but just 2.5 to 5Mbps up.
If you’re uploading videos to YouTube, Google Drive, or performing an online backup, you may see your Internet performance drop off substantially until the upload is finished. If you use an application like BitTorrent, make certain that there are no file transfers going on in the background.
Once you’ve checked to make certain there are no other programs uploading data, it’s time to check physical infrastructure. The TCP/IP protocol that’s used to send data across the Internet is designed to be redundant, meaning that if a packet doesn’t get to its intended location (your PC), there are ways to send the information again. This redundancy is a good thing – it helps make certain that Web pages and content load properly, even when there’s a delay – but it can also mask certain problems. An Ethernet cable that’s on the verge of failing, or a device that’s barely within wireless range, can both exhibit slow downloads and repeated timeouts. Better cables (or repositioning your router) can fix both of these problems.
If you can’t pinpoint why your network might be running slowly, it’s time to log into your router and look for a bandwidth monitor. Some routers offer this as a service — a real-time graph of how much traffic is flowing over the network. This is superior to using a device-specific approach if you have more than one gadget hooked to your home network.
If you’re trying to increase your download speeds over wireless, this may be a good time to consult our guide to wireless technology and signal boosting. If you have an old router (802.11b or 802.11g), you may see substantial speed improvements by switching to newer, faster equipment.
Once you’ve checked your networking gear and confirmed that you aren’t losing performance to applications or devices saturating available bandwidth, it’s important to check whether you’re getting all of the performance you should be from your ISP. Speed tests from companies like Speedtest.net can be used for this purpose (see our guide to testing download and upload speeds for more details). If you’re paying for one tier of service, but not receiving it, it may be time to call your ISP’s customer service line. ISPs can typically run remote checks on line performance or schedule a technician to come out and check your service quality and ensure you don’t have a problem.
Once you’ve exhausted these options, if your download bandwidth still isn’t high enough, you’ll probably have to opt for a better plan. If your ISP isn’t delivering the performance you’re paying for, however, don’t assume that paying for a higher plan will fix things. Always check with the company on the nature of the problem first.
EmoticonEmoticon