VIRGIN Media has shared some fresh advice about what might be the real culprit behind your sluggish broadband.
Internet speeds can be affected by a number of well-known factors.
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Busy peak time periods can sometimes be an issue when everyone is online at the same time.
But there are potential problems closer to home that can come into play too.
Fortunately, these sorts of slowdowns are easily rectified yourself.
“If it takes a long time to download a movie, app, or document – or to upload a photo or video – it’s usually because your internet connection is slow or busy,” Virgin Media says.
“Uploads are often slower than downloads, and if other people or apps are using the internet at the same time, everything can slow down even more.
“Weak Wi-Fi, older equipment, or large file sizes can also make it worse.”
But what’s often forgotten is things like background apps and cloud storage.
These often go unnoticed, working away without you knowing.
And at busy periods when everyone is home and trying to get online, they could be taking up precious
Sometimes background apps, like cloud storage or automatic updates, are using the internet without you knowing.
So, Virgin Media recommends you do four things if your downloads and uploads are slow.
Start by pausing any downloads, streaming, or cloud backups you’re not using.
Then, the firm says to move closer to your router, or use a wired connection for better speed.
Restart your router, as this will refresh the connection.
And finally, do a speed test to check your download and upload speeds.
“If your broadband is always slow, it may be time to upgrade to a faster internet speed,” the firm explained.
Top tips on how to stay connected
Here are some tips from Ofcom on how to improve your Wi-Fi connection and get more out of it:
- Use your landline or Wi-Fi calls:More people are making calls on their mobile network during the day, so you may find you get a more reliable connection using your landline or by turning on “wifi calling” in your settings.
- Move your router clear of other devices: Keep your router as far away as possible from other devices, such as cordless phones, baby monitors, TVs and monitors, as they can all affect your Wi-Fi if they’re too close to your router. Also, place your router on a table or shelf rather than on the floor, and keep it switched on.
- Lower the demands on your connection: The more devices attached to your wifi, the lower the speed you get. Devices like tablets and smartphones often work in the background, so try switching wifi reception off on these when you’re not using them.
- Try wired rather than wireless:For the best broadband speeds, use an Ethernet cable to connect your computer directly to your router rather than using Wi-FI.
- Plug your router directly into your main phone socket:Where possible, try not to use a telephone extension lead, as these can cause interference which could lower your speed.
- Test the speed on your broadband line: You can run a speed test using Ofcom’s official mobile and broadband checker. If possible, carry out tests over a few days and see if there are any changes.
