We know that slow internet interrupts life. Slow internet speed can be caused by a range of factors, which makes it a challenge to pinpoint the exact cause. However, there are some things you can do to get the best speed possible from your service before calling for repair.
Pro tip: It can be useful to run a speed test before troubleshooting for a slow internet connection. Then, after following the steps here, run the test again to see the improvement for yourself.
Your connection speed depends a lot on how your modem/router is running. (Note: Since your CenturyLink equipment is a combination modem and router, we use both words in this article.)
Adjust your router position
You might be surprised by how much your internet speed can be impacted by where your router sits. You want to find a spot that is up off the floor and centrally located in your home (or in the area of your home where most internet activity takes place).
Physical obstructions can also be major culprits in slowing down your WiFi speed. Look out for any of these things standing between your router and your connected devices:
- Brick or concrete walls or floors
- Thick, heavy doors or windows
- Large containers of water (such as fish tanks)
- Large metal appliances (especially refrigerators)
Do your best to move the router or move other items so that these things are not blocking the path between your router and your devices.
Reboot your router
Routers can get bogged down after running for a while. The easiest way to fix many connectivity problems is to restart your router. If you find you're needing to restart frequently, it's easier than ever to set up a daily or weekly reboot to keep things running smoothly.
Check for firmware updates
Next, check to see if you need to update your modem's firmware. This is key to making sure this essential piece of equipment is free of bugs and running optimally.
As a last resort, you can try resetting your modem. Similar to resetting a smartphone or reinstalling a computer's operating system, this will erase custom settings and return the modem to its factory default status.
How many devices are using up your bandwidth?
Start by understanding the bandwidth used by all the connected devices in your home. It may be more than you think. And the more bandwidth is used, the less speed you see on any one device. Use a bandwidth table to calculate your household's peak hour usage. Don't forget to include all of the following connected devices (and there very well may be more):
- Smartphones, computers and tablets
- Web-enabled cameras or smart home security systems
- DVRs, smart TVs, and video streaming devices
- Additional routers, VoIP phones, wireless printers
- Voice assistants and smart speakers (like Alexa and Google Home)
The key is, needs vary widely. One person living alone could easily get by with a 5 Mbps connection, while a large household doing multiple activities may need at least 20 Mbps. Set realistic expectations — depending on your plan speed, you may not be able to have three family members videoconferencing, streaming TV, and gaming online at the same time. Those three activities in particular require substantial upload speeds as well as download, so check your plan.
Special notes related to speed
Peak hours: When the majority of households are online, internet traffic slows down across all networks. This is usually from about 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. You may notice that your internet is slower at these times.
Consider the role of content providers: Content providers and apps send out huge volumes of high-bandwidth video content worldwide. If a video streaming provider is getting more demand than their bandwidth can handle, this can cause video buffering — meaning it lags or sticks while loading.
What we think of as "slow internet" can sometimes be a weak WiFi signal. Wireless speeds tend to be less than wired speeds on the same network, due to interference and signal loss over distance. But there are ways you can make sure your WiFi is running as fast as possible.
Optimize your router. See #1 above.
Reduce interference from other electronics. Other devices in your home can slow down your WiFi connection, including microwaves, cordless phones, Bluetooth devices, TVs, wireless security systems, baby monitors, garage door openers, and more. If you have a newer modem, opt for a 5 GHz frequency signal to get a stronger connection and avoid some congestion from surrounding devices, many of which use the 2.4 GHz band.
Protect your WiFi network with a good password. If you don’t have a strong password, anyone close to your home can access your WiFi network and cause it to slow down. There are other ways you can ensure a secure network as well.
Consider a WiFi extender. If your service is weak in parts of your home that are farther away from your router, a WiFi extender can increase your signal coverage in more distant areas.
Your base connection and your WiFi are only part of the speed equation — all the devices that you connect to your internet also play a role. To get the best performance, make sure devices, apps and software are up to date, free of malware, and not being overloaded.
Run antivirus scans on all devices
Antivirus protection is essential for good performance. Viruses and malware can slow down your whole system, including internet speed performance. Make sure every device is healthy by installing well-rated security software, keeping it updated and running security scans at least weekly. CenturyLink internet subscribers can get McAfee protection for free on two devices.
Update your browser
Your web browser (Chrome, Edge, Safari, Firefox, etc.) plays a major role in your experience when you are online. Make sure yours is running smoothly.
- Update your browser. Make sure your browser software and all plug-ins and extensions (like Java, Silverlight and others) are up to date. You can use a third-party website to do a browser check, and visit the support site for each browser to download any needed updates or get additional help.
- Clear cache on a regular basis. Your browser saves data from most websites you visit, which over time can slow everything down. Look in your browser settings and tools for "Clear cache, cookies and history" or a similar option, then follow the prompts.
Adjust device settings or usage
Devices can get seriously bogged down by too many applications running. Try to be in the habit of shutting down programs that you're not using to free up memory on your computer. The same is true if you tend to keep several browser windows or tabs active at the same time. This can cause lags or other problems when browsing the internet, so close any extra tabs that you're not actively using.
If you have smart devices running around your home, try lowering the screen resolution on any devices with a screen to save even more bandwidth and guard against a slow internet connection.
Finally, checking both indoor and outdoor wiring can help determine if there's a connection problem that needs attention, either with your home equipment or with the CenturyLink network.
Tried everything and still need more speed?
If you've gone through the steps above, try running the internet speed test to find out your current download and upload speeds. To check what speed you are currently paying for, check your plan details in My CenturyLink.
It's a good idea to run the test a few times to get an average. Most technicians recommend running the test on a computer plugged into your modem with an Ethernet cable. This will give you the most accurate picture of your service speed from the network to the modem. It can also be useful to compare the wired connection speed to your speed over WiFi. Finally, testing on multiple devices may give you a sense of whether a particular device is slower.
After running the speed test, which statement best describes your situation? Click below to see solutions.
Related topic from our Discover blog: 4 tips to improve your internet speed
