How to Increase Internet Speed: 10 Proven Tips & Tricks
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1. Restart Your Router and Modem
One of the easiest and most effective speed fixes is a simple restart. Power cycling your modem and router clears memory, resolves minor software glitches, and re-establishes your connection to your ISP. Unplug both devices for 30 seconds, then reconnect them and wait 2–3 minutes for them to fully boot.
2. Move Closer to Your Router
Wi-Fi signal strength decreases with distance and through walls. If you're far from your router, moving closer can dramatically improve speeds. For the best performance, place your router in a central location, elevated off the floor, and away from metal objects and thick walls that absorb signal.
3. Switch to a Wired Ethernet Connection
Wi-Fi is convenient, but ethernet cables provide faster, more stable connections. If possible, connect your computer or streaming device directly to your modem or router with an ethernet cable. You'll typically see 10–30% speed improvements over wireless connections.
4. Reduce Interference from Other Devices
Microwaves, cordless phones, and baby monitors all operate on the 2.4 GHz frequency and can interfere with your Wi-Fi. Keep these devices away from your router, or switch to the 5 GHz band if your router supports dual-band Wi-Fi. The 5 GHz band is faster and has less interference but shorter range.
5. Change Your Wi-Fi Channel
Your router broadcasts on specific channels, and neighboring networks may be using the same ones, causing congestion. Use a Wi-Fi analyzer app to check which channels are least crowded in your area, then log into your router settings and manually select a clearer channel. This simple tweak can boost speeds significantly.
6. Update Your Router Firmware
Router manufacturers regularly release firmware updates that fix bugs, improve security, and optimize performance. Check your router's admin panel for available updates and install them immediately. This is a painless way to ensure your device runs at peak efficiency.
7. Clear Your Browser Cache and Cookies
Over time, cached files and cookies accumulate and can slow down browsing. Clear your browser's cache regularly to free up memory and improve page load times. Most browsers allow you to clear this data from settings in seconds.
8. Disable Background Applications
Programs running in the background—like cloud sync services, auto-update tools, and streaming apps—consume bandwidth and slow your speeds. Open your Task Manager or Activity Monitor, identify bandwidth hogs, and disable or uninstall them. This frees up resources for your active tasks.
9. Use a VPN Selectively
VPNs encrypt your traffic and mask your IP, but they can add latency and reduce speeds. If you use a VPN, choose one with fast servers near your location. Disconnect when speed isn't critical, and connect only when you need privacy.
10. Upgrade Your Internet Plan or Provider
If you've tried all optimizations and speeds are still slow, your plan may be outdated. Check what speeds your ISP offers in your area and compare competitors. Many providers now offer gigabit speeds at competitive prices. A plan upgrade is often the most reliable long-term solution.
Speed Benchmarks: Average ISP Speeds by Provider
| ISP | Download Speed (Mbps) | Upload Speed (Mbps) | Typical Ping (ms) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Verizon Fios | 750–940 | 750–880 | 10–15 |
| Comcast Xfinity | 100–600 | 10–25 | 25–35 |
| AT&T Fiber | 300–1000 | 300–1000 | 12–18 |
| Charter Spectrum | 100–500 | 10–20 | 28–40 |
| CenturyLink DSL | 10–100 | 5–20 | 40–60 |
Data based on typical advertised speeds. Actual performance varies by location and network congestion.
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Run Speed Test →Quick Wins You Can Try Right Now
Not every speed boost requires technical knowledge. Start with these quick wins:
- Restart your router (often fixes 30% of speed issues)
- Move your device closer to the router
- Disable Wi-Fi on devices you're not using
- Close unused browser tabs and applications
- Check for malware and viruses on your computer
When to Contact Your ISP
If you've optimized everything and still aren't reaching your advertised speeds, your ISP may be the problem. Contact your provider and request a line test. They can check signal strength, noise levels, and hardware issues. You may be entitled to a credit if speeds fall significantly below what you're paying for.
Measure Your Progress with SpeedTrest
The best way to know if these tips are working is to test your speed before and after making changes. SpeedTrest uses Cloudflare's global network to give you accurate, real-world measurements of download, upload, ping, and jitter. Test as often as you like—it's always free and requires no account.
See also: Why is my internet slow? · What is a good internet speed?