Why Is My Internet Slow?
Slow internet usually comes from Wi‑Fi, local congestion, or your ISP plan—not a mysterious "broken internet." Use this checklist to isolate the cause.
1. Separate Wi‑Fi from ISP speed
Run a MySpeedGauge test on Ethernet (or with Wi‑Fi as close to the router as possible). If wired is fast but wireless is not, the bottleneck is local Wi‑Fi.
2. Check for local competition
Cloud backups, OS updates, smart TVs, and other household devices share your pipe. Pause heavy transfers and retest. Also reboot the modem and router—stuck NAT sessions and overheating radios are common.
3. Watch for bufferbloat and jitter
If Mbps looks fine but video calls stutter, check jitter and ping under load. Enabling SQM/QoS on a capable router often restores snappy latency.
4. Confirm plan limits
Cable plans advertise download far more than upload. Evening neighborhood congestion can also reduce effective speed. Compare results at different times of day before escalating to support.
If you need a faster plan
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