Internet Issues

Prune your internet connections

There may be some devices connected to your network that you rarely use—if at all. For example: you bought a new laptop, but the old one still idles and connects to the network. Even though it’s not in use, it still uses bandwidth for updates and other background services. Your router may even have a limited number of devices it can connect to simultaneously, and if you have too many connected devices the router may start kicking some of them off the network. 

One simple way to take stock of all the devices using your network is to load your router’s web interface and view the network map. You will see all connected devices, whether they’re active or not, so you can block the ones you never use.

Another method is to change the Wi-Fi password, but that only applies to wireless devices. Once you do, you must manually reconnect every device that accesses your wireless network. 

Some routers or wireless gateways also have a handy companion app that lets you see everything on your network without loading a browser. That way you can identify and remove devices that no longer need access to your network.

Stagger bandwidth-hogging activities

If your connection can’t handle everyone online at once, stagger your internet activities so everyone gets a chance at an uninterrupted connection.

Also, make sure to schedule big downloads (like computer and game updates) during times when other people won’t be online.

Put visitors on a guest network

There’s nothing wrong with sharing your internet with guests when they come to visit, but you don’t want them to secretly download illegal content while they lounge on your couch. That’s where your router’s guest network feature comes into play.

You can create a second guest network using your router’s web interface or mobile app. A guest network allows you to limit how much bandwidth guests can use, and what services and websites they can access. It also provides improved security by preventing guests’ devices from mingling with your devices, so there’s no worry about guests spreading malware to everything you use.

Your provider’s network is congested

Additionally vulnerable to network congestion is your ISP. Similar to network traffic on your personal computer, but on a much greater scale.

Your internet service provider may slow down internet speeds in your location if network traffic is exceptionally severe.


We definitely don't recommend asking your neighbours to log off so you can Zoom in peace because you can't control when or how often others in your neighbourhood use the internet. However, there are some methods for getting around the problem.

Consider scheduling game and media downloads for late at night or other off-peak times. Though it could be challenging to discern, you might decide to move to a provider with fewer local users.

You exceeded your data cap

Many internet service providers have data limits, and some of them reduce your speed to a crawl after you reach that limit. Usually, you can view your data use online or using the app provided by your ISP. Customers of providers like Xfinity have fairly large data caps—1.2 TB in this case—which shouldn't be a problem for the majority of homes. However, satellite internet service providers like HughesNet and Viasat are less forgiving with their usage caps.

Instead of basing fees on internet speed, satellite internet companies base them on data use. Similar to how cell phone plans often operate, your internet connection may sluggish to a crawl if you've consumed all of your monthly data allotment.

Customers of HughesNet may see speed drops of 1-3 Mbps.

You have weak Wi-Fi signals

Your Wi-Fi signal may be affected by distance, walls, and even microwaves. Slower speeds and more frequent disconnects are results of weaker Wi-Fi signals.

If your connection is fast next to your router but incredibly slow in the adjacent room, you may know that your problems are caused by signal interference and poor Wi-Fi signals.

You have high latency

First, look at the positioning of your router to resolve poor Wi-Fi. Make sure your router is centrally located, elevated, and far from anything that can interfere with your Wi-Fi signals (like walls, Bluetooth speakers, etc.).

If it doesn't work, you may need to upgrade your router to one with better coverage or longer ranges, or you may expand your network's Wi-Fi range by connecting an extender to it.

Latency is the time data takes to make a round trip from your device to the destination and back. A high latency creates noticeable lag: an extended duration between your physical actions and the results displayed on your screen. This can be particularly frustrating with online gaming or video calls. 

High latency is difficult to work around. It depends partially on your physical distance from internet servers, network congestion between you and the servers, and your internet provider’s infrastructure—things that are mostly beyond your control. Internet type can also play into latency as well. 

For example, satellite internet has high latency because all your data must travel to space and back, both coming and going to your device. Newer types of internet, including fiber and 5G mmWave, have lower latency because they can handle faster signals. 

If you’re looking to lower your latency for a better connection, check out our report on the fastest ISPs. It dives into which internet services have the best tested speeds and lowest average latency.

You have slow or outdated devices

The problem might not be with your internet connection—it might be with the device you use. Your computer, tablet, phone, or gaming console could be outdated and not capable of processing today’s Wi-Fi speeds.

For example, the old (but much loved) PlayStation Vita handheld console supports up to 150 Mbps per second because it uses a Wi-Fi 4 radio. That speed can decrease based on the router it connects to and the security protocol it uses. The Vita will never see speeds beyond that 150 Mbps limit.

If you have speed issues on a desktop or laptop, try power cycling the device. This clears the memory of any junk, refreshes your connection, and cleans out unnecessary processes and temporary files. Speed issues tend to happen due to an overworked processor, and a quick power cycle—shutting it down completely for 30 seconds—will “clear its head.”

Other things that can slow down your devices include the following:

• Too many open applications
• Too many open browser tabs
• Outdated software
• Outdated drivers
• The operating system needs to reboot to install updates
• Patch downloads
• App downloads
• MalwareAvoid overwhelming your computer’s CPU by closing unused applications and browser windows. Keep your device’s operating system up to date by allowing auto-updates, and keep your antivirus definitions current.