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Boost Internet on Your PC: Tips on How to Speed Up Your Internet Connection

This day and age we are used to life at its top speed thanks to various means of instant communication. That’s why there are very few things that are more frustrating than slow Internet that can basically turn your life into a nightmare. Here’s how to boost Internet on your PC!

Sometimes speeding up Internet is a simple question of upgrading your plan or changing your service provider. However, sometimes even users who are paying for high speed Internet access can experience surprisingly slow Internet connection.

Fortunately, there are ways to speed up Internet without having to change your ISP or buying a more powerful computer. Below you will find some tips on how to speed up your computer’s Internet connection without too much hassle. But before diving right in, it is important that you identify your current Internet speed – it will be your starting point in this quest.

How to Check Your Internet Speed on a Windows PC

Before deciding on how to boost Internet speed in your case, you need to figure out the current scores. There are several ways to check your Internet speed on a Windows computer:

#1 Run an Online Speed Test

There are several websites that offer online speed tests, such as Speedtest.net, Fast.com, and Google’s speed test. Such a test will measure your download and upload speeds and display the results in Mbps (megabits per second). You can follow these steps to run an online speed test:

  1. Open your web browser (e.g., Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Microsoft Edge, etc.)
  2. Go to a speed test website, like Fast.com or Speedtest.net.
  3. Click the “Go” or “Start” button to begin the test.
  4. Wait for the test to complete, which usually takes less than a minute.
  5. Once the test is done, the website will display your download and upload speeds in Mbps.

#2 Use the Command Prompt

Alternatively, you can also check your Internet speed using the Command Prompt by following these steps:

  1. Press the “Windows key + R” shortcut to open the Run dialog box.
  2. Type “cmd” into the box and press Enter to open the Command Prompt.
  3. Enter “ping google.com” and hit Enter. This will give you your ping time to Google’s server, which is a measure of how long it takes for your computer to send and receive data.
  4. Type “tracert google.com” and press Enter. This will show you the path that your internet traffic takes to reach Google’s server.
  5. Type “netstat -b” and press Enter. This will display all active network connections and the applications that are using them.
  6. Finally, type “speedtest-cli” and press Enter. This will run a speed test using the speedtest-cli tool, which is a command-line interface for the Speedtest.net website.

 

speed up the internet#3 Use Auslogics BoostSpeed’s Internet Optimizer

Another solution you can opt for to check your Internet speed is to use Auslogics BoostSpeed’s Internet Optimizer. This handy tool will not only show how fast your connection really is but will also help you speed up data access.

It is a convenient option to make your online experience much faster, especially if you are not tech-savvy, since the tool will apply the best Internet configurations for your system. Here is how you can use Internet Optimizer:

  1. Run Auslogics BoostSpeed – a Windows PC performance booster that is designed to help you get the most out of your system.
  2. Navigate to the “All Tools” tab.
  3. Go to “Internet & Browser Tools” and select “Internet Optimizer”. You will be immediately taken to a new tab.
  4. Locate the “Check my actual Internet connection speed” link at the bottom of the window and click on it.
  5. A third-party site where you can test your connection speed will open in your browser.
  6. Click “Go” to run the assessment. We recommend that you do it no less than five times.
  7. Note down your connection speed. If it’s below what your ISP contract promises, go back to Internet Optimizer and click the Analyze button to check your connection settings.
  8. The tool will offer you effective tweaks if the need arises. Click “Optimize” to apply them.
  9. Restart your PC and check your Internet speed. You should enjoy a faster connection now.

 

speed up the internet

No matter which method you prefer, make sure to close any unnecessary applications that may be using your Internet connection to get an accurate reading. Additionally, it’s best to run the test at different times of the day to get an average reading of your Internet speed.

Once you have the results, you can compare them with the specifications of your Internet plan, which should indicate the maximum download and upload speeds you can expect to achieve with your connection.

If your speed test results are lower than the speeds specified in your Internet plan, it may indicate that there is a problem with your Internet connection or network setup.

What Is a Good Internet Speed?

A good Internet speed depends on your specific needs, requirements and usage patterns. For most users, a download speed of at least 25 Mbps and an upload speed of at least 3 Mbps are considered to be good scores. This should be sufficient for activities such as streaming videos, browsing the web, and video calling.

If you have multiple users or devices in your household or need to do activities that require high-speed Internet, such as online gaming, large file transfers, or 4K video streaming, you may need higher speeds. In such cases, a download speed of 100 Mbps or more and an upload speed of at least 10 Mbps may be your best bet.

The Top 7 Reasons for a Slow Internet Connection

There are several factors that, to a greater or lesser extent, can impact your internet speed. They are as follows:

  • Network congestion

This occurs when too many users are trying to access the same network simultaneously. Network congestion can cause slow Internet speeds, as data packets may take longer to reach their intended destination.

  • Distance from the Internet service provider (ISP) infrastructure

The farther you are from the ISP’s infrastructure, the more time it will take for data packets to travel back and forth, resulting in slower Internet speeds.

  • The quality of your network equipment

The quality of your modem, router, and other networking equipment can also impact your Internet speed. Old or outdated equipment may not be able to handle high-speed Internet connections, leading to slower speeds.

  • The type of your internet connection

Different types of Internet connections are characterized by different maximum speeds. For example, fiber optic Internet is generally faster than DSL or cable Internet.

  • Malware

Malware on your computer can also impact your Internet speed by consuming bandwidth and slowing down your device’s processing speed.

  • Bandwidth limitations

Your Internet service plan may have data caps or bandwidth limitations that can affect your Internet speed.

  • Wi-Fi interference

Wi-Fi signals can be disrupted by physical obstructions like walls, floors, and ceilings. Additionally, other electronic devices in your home or office can also interfere with Wi-Fi signals and impact Internet speeds.

Understanding these factors can help you identify potential issues with your Internet speed and take proper steps to boost Internet.

How to Boost Internet: Easy-to-Apply Tips

1. Talk to your provider

First of all, call your service provider and check whether they are doing their job properly and delivering the service you are paying for. Or perhaps your package is outdated and the company will upgrade you to a better one either for free or for a small upgrade fee.

Keep in mind, though, that very few people are getting the top speed (remember the words “up to” in your contract?) because of distance exchange, congestion, and traffic shaping.

2. Find the browser that works for you

Most people still use Internet Explorer, even though it’s not the fastest browser out there. If you are an active Internet user, it would be a good idea to check out different browsers, like Chrome, Firefox, and Opera to see which one works best for your connection type and your hardware configuration. For example, Chrome is particularly good for computers that are low on RAM, as it’s not as memory hungry as Firefox and IE.

3. Tweak your router

If you are using a router, you can probably boost Internet by adjusting the router settings. There are too many routers to give specific advice, but most routers can be tweaked to open up ports and boost your Internet speed. Just check the manual for things that can be done to improve performance or use Google to find answers for your particular router.

Before you do any tweaking, check whether you are close enough to the router when you use the Internet. Being too far away from it can make the connection really slow and unstable.

Another thing you should try before changing any settings is to restart your router. Sometimes this simple action can dramatically boost Internet connection.

4. Prevent unauthorized access

If you are using wireless Internet connection, make sure that you are not sharing it with the whole neighborhood. The more people use your connection, the slower it is for you. So at the very least set up a strong password to stop unauthorized users from using your Internet connection. Your password should be unique and complex, containing a mix of upper and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. It should also be changed frequently.

We also recommend that you implement two-factor authentication: it adds an extra layer of security by requiring a code in addition to a password. You can use it to make sure only authorized users can access your network.

Another tip is to use encryption – it can protect sensitive data from unauthorized access by encrypting your data before it is transmitted over the network. Using a firewall will also help you prevent unauthorized access to your network: this tool will block traffic from specific IP addresses, or you can use it to filter traffic based on content.

Last but not least, make sure to download updates for your apps. Keeping software up to date can prevent security vulnerabilities and keep hackers at bay.

By implementing these measures, you can not only reduce the risk of unauthorized access to your network and keep your data secure but also optimize the Internet speed on your PC.

5. Control your bandwidth usage

There are many applications that will use your bandwidth in the background, like Windows Update, Windows Live Messenger, Skype, Real player, Adobe Reader updates, and other similar software. Most of them usually start automatically when you log on to Windows and connect to the Internet as soon as there is a connection. This means that these programs use your bandwidth when you are not actually using them.

Most of these applications can be configured not to start on Windows log-on or to at least ask permission to connect to the Internet. If you are not sure which programs are secretly using your bandwidth, you can use Auslogics BoostSpeed’s Task Manager. With the help of this program you can track which applications and processes are consuming your network traffic.

speed up the internet

And here are a few extra tips that may prove useful:

  • Employ Quality of Service (QoS) tools to prioritize network traffic and boost Internet speed. They will allocate bandwidth to certain types of traffic, such as voice or video, over other types of traffic, such as file downloads.
  • Keep an eye on your network traffic using network monitoring tools. This will help you identify which devices or users are using the most bandwidth and take action accordingly.
  • Set a limit on the amount of bandwidth that can be used by each device or user. This can be done using dedicated software, such as bandwidth throttling software, or by configuring your network hardware, such as your router.
  • Employ firewalls or other network security tools to block unwanted traffic, such as spam or malware, from using your network’s bandwidth.
  • Upgrade your network hardware to newer, faster models that are better able to handle higher bandwidth usage. This can help reduce congestion, improve overall network performance and optimize the Internet speed.

6. Scan Your PC for Malware

Some types of malware, such as botnets, can use your PC to perform various tasks without your knowledge or consent, including sending spam emails, launching distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks, or mining cryptocurrencies. These activities can consume significant amounts of bandwidth and processing power, leading to slower Internet speeds and reducing the overall performance of your system.

If you want to speed up the Internet on your computer, an essential step would be to scan it with a reliable protection tool like Auslogics Anti-Malware. It will check all the areas of your system, especially the most vulnerable ones, locate all the items that may pose a threat to your computer, and let you quarantine them so that you can restore them later if need be.

To get rid of malware with Auslogics Anti-Malware, take the following steps:

  1. Download the tool on your Windows PC and register it with the key provided by the vendor.
  2. Wait while the app’s threat database is updated.
  3. Navigate to the Scanners tab.
  4. Launch the type of scan you wish to perform.
  5. Wait until your device is scanned. Then you can decide what to do with the detected threats.

 

speed up the internet

7. Protect Your Connection With a VPN

And here is one more tip on how to improve the Internet connection – consider using a VPN, which is a tool that creates a secure and encrypted connection between a user’s device and the Internet. VPNs are getting increasingly popular as more and more people become knowledgeable about the risks of surfing the web without protection.

A VPN will encrypt your Internet traffic, making it difficult for hackers, government agencies, or other third parties to intercept your online activities. It will also hide your IP address and location, which is extremely helpful in protecting your privacy. And since you are wondering how to improve the Internet speed, you will be glad to know that a VPN can also improve your Internet performance by reducing the latency and increasing the bandwidth, which is useful when streaming content or playing online games.

There are both free and paid VPN services available, and while free VPNs can be useful in some situations, we recommend using a paid VPN due to the following reasons:

  • Paid VPNs often offer more advanced security features and encryption protocols than free VPNs.
  • Paid VPNs have stronger privacy policies and a more robust infrastructure to handle higher volumes of traffic.
  • Paid VPNs often have faster connection speeds and less lag than free VPNs.
  • Paid VPNs usually have more server locations than free VPNs, which can give you more options for bypassing geographical restrictions and accessing content from different regions.

Overall, paid VPNs provide a more seamless and uninterrupted online experience and are more likely to positively affect your Internet speed.

8. Boost Your Wi-Fi Signal

Wireless networks are easy to set up and convenient to use. However, a wireless connection often means slower speeds, which can hamper your productivity. There are several ways to boost a Wi-Fi signal, and you can make use of them to optimize the Internet speed on your network:

  • Move your router to a central location in your home, away from walls and other obstacles.
  • If your Wi-Fi signal is weak due to interference from other wireless devices, try changing the channel on your router by configuring the router’s settings.
  • Upgrade your router’s firmware.
  • If your router is old or outdated, upgrade to a newer model as it can boost an Internet signal.
  • If possible, switch to a wired connection. Connect your device to your router using an Ethernet cable – this will provide a faster and more stable connection than Wi-Fi.
  • Keep your router away from other electronic devices that can interfere with the signal, such as microwaves, baby monitors, and cordless phones.

Another tip on how to make your Internet stronger is to use an Internet speed booster to amplify and extend the reach of your Wi-Fi signal. Also called a Wi-Fi booster or a range extender, this device works by receiving your existing Wi-Fi signal and amplifying it, then transmitting the amplified signal to areas of your home where the signal is non-existent or weak. Here is what you should do:

  1. Place your booster in a location where it can receive a strong Wi-Fi signal from your router.
  2. Connect the booster to a power source and follow the manufacturer’s instructions for connecting it to your existing Wi-Fi network.
  3. Once the booster is connected, test the connection to make sure it’s working properly.

It’s important to note that while an Internet speed booster can help improve your Wi-Fi signal, it may not be as effective as other solutions, such as upgrading your router or using a wired connection. Additionally, if your Internet plan has slow speeds, a Wi-Fi booster may not be able to improve your overall Internet speed.

Parting Shots

While Internet speed requirements may vary depending on your needs, a high Internet speed is important for a seamless and productive online experience in most cases. There are several ways to boost Internet speed, including

  • upgrading to a higher speed plan,
  • restarting your modem and router,
  • upgrading your hardware,
  • switching to a wired connection,
  • reducing the number of devices on your network,
  • scanning for malware,
  • closing unnecessary programs and tabs, and
  • clearing your cache.

If you’ve tried everything and are still wondering how to boost Internet speed, contact your Internet service provider. They may be able to troubleshoot the issue or provide additional help.

We hope our article has been helpful to users looking for tips on how to make the Internet faster. If you have any questions regarding the topic, please let us know in the comments section below.