In 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. No worries! We’re here to save your day and reveal how to boost the internet on your PC!

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

But consider yourself lucky, as there are ways to speed up the internet without changing your ISP or buying a more powerful computer. In this guide, we’ll share some tips on how to speed up your internet connection without too much hassle.

How to Check Your Internet Speed on a Windows PC

But first things first, and before we get to decide on how to boost internet speed in your case, let’s figure out the current scores. You can check your internet speed in different ways:

Method 1: Run an online speed test

There are websites that can measure your download and upload speeds and display the results in Mbps (megabits per second).

Follow these steps to run an online speed test:

  • Open your web browser and go to a speed test website; the most popular ones are Fast.com and Speedtest.net.
  • Launch the test and wait for it to complete and display your download and upload speeds.

Method 2: Use the Command Prompt

Although this method will not directly provide you with download and upload speeds, you can get an idea of how your network performs at the moment by checking your connection latency and tracing the route from your PC to the specified server.

Simply follow these steps:

  • Press the Windows key + R shortcut to open the Run dialog box.
  • Type “cmd” into the box and press Enter.
  • Enter “ping google.com” and hit Enter. This command will measure how long it takes for your computer to send and receive data (in this case, to and from Google’s server).
  • Type “tracert google.com” and press Enter. This will show you how your internet traffic travels to reach Google’s server.
  • Finally, type “netstat -b” and press Enter to see all active connections on your network and the applications that are using them.
Command Prompt tracert

Also read: 28 Most Useful CMD Commands


Method 3: Use Auslogics BoostSpeed’s Internet Optimizer

One more way to check your internet speed is to use Auslogics BoostSpeed’s Internet Optimizer.
Built into Auslogics’ comprehensive program—BoostSpeed—this handy tool can not only show how fast your internet is but also help you speed up data access.

If you’re not the tech-savviest person and want to boost your internet speed and overall system performance, this one is definitely for you, since the tool will apply the best internet configurations for your system.

Here is how to use Internet Optimizer:

  • Run Auslogics BoostSpeed and go to the All Tools tab.
  • Go to Internet & Browser Tools and select Internet Optimizer. You will be immediately taken to a new tab.
  • Locate the Check my actual Internet connection speed link at the bottom of the window and click on it.
  • A third-party site where you can test your connection speed will open in your browser.
  • Click Go to run the assessment. We recommend that you do it no less than five times.
  • 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.
  • The tool will offer you effective tweaks if the need arises. Click Optimize to apply them.
  • Restart your PC and check your internet speed. You should enjoy a faster connection now.
Auslogics BoostSpeed 13
Download Auslogics BoostSpeed
Your one-stop PC maintenance and optimization tool, this program will clean, speed up, repair and tweak your system to ensure maximum speed and efficiency.
No matter which method you prefer, for best results, close any unnecessary applications that may be using your internet connection and run the test at different times of the day to get an average reading of your internet speed.
If your speed test results are lower than the speeds specified in your internet plan, it may indicate a problem with your internet connection or network setup.

What Is a Good Internet Speed?

Well, it depends. Most users that use the internet to browse the web, watch videos, and, let’s say, make video calls would be ok with at least 25/3 Mbps, where the first figure is the download speed, and the latter is the upload speed.

However, if you have a big family of internet surfers and a ton of smart devices at home or use the internet for 4K streaming, playing online games, or sending large files, that won’t be enough.

In such cases, your best bet may be a download speed of 100 Mbps or more and an upload speed of at least 10 Mbps.

Why Is the Internet So Slow? The Top 8 Reasons

There can be quite a lot of factors that can impact your internet speed, to a greater or lesser extent, and it would take another article to cover them all. Let’s just focus on the more frequent ones:

  • Network congestion. When there are too many users (or devices) trying to access the same network simultaneously, it can become congested, slowing down your internet speed since data packets may take longer to reach wherever they’re headed.
  • Distance from the internet service provider (ISP) infrastructure. The farther you are from the ISP’s servers, 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. We have to admit that things get old, including modems, routers, and other networking equipment. It’s possible that they can’t keep up with high-speed internet connections, leading to slower speeds.
  • The type of your internet connection. Different maximum speeds characterize different types of internet connections. As such, fiber-optic internet is generally faster than DSL or cable internet.
  • VPN. Using a VPN (virtual private network) can significantly affect your internet speed due to increased latency and longer data paths.
  • Malware. Having malware on your computer can lead to a whole lot of trouble. Among other things, it can 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 affecting your internet speed.
  • Wi-Fi interference. If you’re using Wi-Fi, you need to know that physical obstructions (like walls, floors, and ceilings) don’t mix well with Wi-Fi signals. Moreover, if you have other electronic devices (like microwaves), they can also interfere with Wi-Fi signals and impact internet speeds.

Now that you know the potential culprits, you can better identify potential issues with your internet speed and take proper steps to boost your internet.


Also read: Why Does My Internet Keep Going In and Out?


How to Speed Up Internet on a PC: Easy-to-Apply Tips

Tip 1. Talk to your provider

So, you want to increase your internet speed, but what should you do first? Start by talking to your service provider and checking whether they are doing their job and delivering the service you are paying for.

If your ISP is not delivering the promised speeds, but you still don’t want to switch to a new one, try discussing how to improve download speed on your PC with them. Perhaps your package is outdated, and the company will upgrade you to a better one for free or for a small fee.

Remember, 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.

Tip 2. Find the browser that works for you

Most people tend to stick to what they’re used to, and that is especially true for web browsers, even though the browser you use may not be the fastest one out there.

If you surf the web a lot and want to speed up your internet, it would be a good idea to check out different browsers, like Chrome, Firefox, and Opera, to see which one works best for you.

For example, Chrome is particularly good for computers with limited RAM, as it is not as memory-hungry as Firefox.

Tip 3. Clear your browser cache

Have the websites all of a sudden started loading too slowly? Chances are that you haven’t looked at how much cache has piled up in your browser for a while. Try clearing it to speed up your internet connection. Here’s how you can do it in Google Chrome:

  • Click on the vertical dots in the upper-right corner.
  • Select Delete browsing data.
  • In the window that appears, tick all the boxes except the first one.
  • Click Delete data and restart Chrome.
Delete browsing data basic

Tip 4. Restart and tweak your router

If you are using Wi-Fi and your internet became too slow or just stopped working at all, chances are that your router is the culprit.

First, make sure that you are close enough to the router and that the signal is not obstructed by walls or ceilings. Then, try restarting your router. Sometimes, this simple action alone can boost your internet connection. After the restart, try 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.

Your best bet is to check the manual or google up how you can tweak your particular router.

Tip 5. Prevent unauthorized access

If you are using Wi-Fi (especially without a password), make sure that you are not sharing it with the whole neighborhood. The more people use your connection, the slower it will be.

Here’s how to improve your internet connection and ensure that no stranger has access to your network:

  • Set up a strong password to stay on the safe side and not allow those you don’t trust to use your internet connection.
Note
A strong password means it should be unique and contain a mix of upper- and lower-case letters, numbers, and symbols. If you don’t want to have your head stuffed with all those passwords, you can use a reliable password manager to safely store your passwords.

Implementing these measures can reduce the risk of unauthorized access to your network, keep your data secure, and optimize your PC’s internet speed.

Tip 6. Update your network driver

An outdated or corrupted network driver can slow down your internet speed. Try updating it to speed up your internet. There are basically two ways to do it: manually by downloading and installing the driver from the manufacturer’s website or using Device Manager, and automatically by using a special tool like Auslogics Driver Updater.

While it’s not that hard to update a driver by yourself, with Auslogics Driver Updater, you ensure that all your drivers, not just a network one, are always up to date.


Also read: How to Update Device Drivers


Tip 7. Disconnect unused devices

The more devices are connected to your Wi-Fi, the less bandwidth you have for your needs. Want to know how to speed up your internet? Simply disconnect those that you don’t need right now.

Tip 8. Disable ads

If you surf the web a lot and want to boost the internet, it would be a good idea to install a free browser plugin, like AdBlock, that will automatically block ads.

Tip 9. Control your bandwidth usage

Some apps, such as Windows Update, Windows Live Messenger, Skype, Real Player, Adobe Reader updates, and similar software, can bite a large chunk of your bandwidth running in the background.

The worst part is that most of such apps launch automatically and start draining your traffic as soon as you log on to Windows.

That said, you can speed up your internet connection by simply configuring these apps not to launch on Windows startup or to at least ask permission to connect to the Internet.

PRO TIP
Use Auslogics BoostSpeed to track which applications and processes are consuming your network traffic secretly in the background.
Auslogics BoostSpeed 13

Also read: Tricks to Get the Most Out of Auslogics BoostSpeed Free Trial


And here are a few extra tips:

Use quality of service (QoS) tools to boost the internet speed by prioritizing certain types of traffic, such as voice or video, over other types.

  • Use network monitoring tools to identify which devices or users consume the most bandwidth and act accordingly.
  • Use specialized tools, such as bandwidth-throttling software, or configure your router to limit the bandwidth allocation for each device or user on your network.
  • Use firewalls or other tools to make sure that some nasty malware isn’t using your network’s bandwidth.
  • Upgrade your network hardware so it can handle higher bandwidth usage to reduce congestion and optimize your internet speed.

Tip 10. Scan your PC for malware

Some types of malware (such as botnets), as we’ve already mentioned, can use your PC to perform various tasks without your knowledge or consent, like sending spam emails, launching distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks, or mining cryptocurrencies.

All of them can consume significant amounts of bandwidth and processing power, leading to slower internet speeds and reducing your system’s overall performance.


Related: Signs of Malware: How to Know if Your Computer Is Infected


PRO TIP
If you suspect that your PC may be infected and want to speed up the internet connection on your computer, you’re strongly advised to scan it with a reliable protection tool like Auslogics Anti-Malware It will scrupulously check all the areas of your system, especially the most vulnerable ones, locate all the lousy 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 and try to boost the internet speed, take the following steps:

  • Download the tool and wait while the app’s threat database is updated.
  • Go to the Scanners tab and launch the type of scan you wish to perform.
  • Wait until your device is scanned. Then you can decide what to do with the detected threats.

Tip 11. Use a VPN

Although we’ve already listed VPNs among the reasons for slowing down your connection, there are specific circumstances when they can actually speed up the internet. So let’s figure out how to improve the internet connection using a VPN.

VPNs—tools that create a secure and encrypted connection between a user’s device and the Internet—are getting increasingly popular as more and more people become knowledgeable about the risks of surfing the web without protection.

VPNs encrypt internet traffic and hide your IP address and location, making it difficult for hackers, government agencies, or other third parties to trace your whereabouts or intercept your online activities.

And since you are wondering how to increase the internet speed on your PC, you will be glad to know that a VPN can also improve your internet performance by bypassing bandwidth throttling from your ISP, channeling your traffic through more efficient routing paths, and reducing congestion by connecting via less busy servers.

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 for the following reasons:

  • Paid VPNs 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 traffic volumes.
  • Paid VPNs often have faster connection speeds and less lag than free VPNs.
  • Paid VPNs usually have more server locations than free VPNs, giving 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 affect your internet speed positively.


Related: Ultimate Guide: How to Fix Wi-Fi Not Working with a VPN?


Tip 12. 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 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 the 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 to speed up your internet connection 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 it to areas of your home where the signal is non-existent or weak.

Here is what you should do:

  • Place your booster in a location where it can receive a strong Wi-Fi signal from your router.
  • Connect the booster to a power source and follow the manufacturer’s instructions for connecting it to your existing Wi-Fi network.
  • Once the booster is connected, test the connection to ensure it works 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 internet speed at all.

How to Increase Internet Speed on a PC: Explained

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 your 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,
  • Clearing your cache.

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

We hope that this article has been helpful, and now you know how to make the internet faster. Please let us know in the comments section below if you have any questions on the topic.