Whether you're looking for ways to increase your internet speed for work or play, there are some simple steps you can take to improve your browsing experience. From switching from a wireless to a wired connection to changing your QoS settings, there are plenty of ways to boost your internet speed.
Restart your modem
Performing a modem reboot can help increase your internet speed. However, it isn't the be all and end all. You may need to check other problems first.
One of the first things to check is to see if your Internet service provider is causing your problems. You may also need to look into physical damage to your modem, cable connections, and devices. If there are no obvious issues, you may need to look for a firmware update.
If you're still having problems, try restarting your modem and router. This can help fix many connection problems. You may also need to unplug your equipment to get a better connection.
If you want to see which of your devices are the culprits, you can also try a network power cycle. This will remove all of the charges from your modem's circuitry.
If you are still experiencing problems, you may need to contact your Internet service provider for help. They may also have a way to remotely reboot your modem from their My CenturyLink app. This can be especially useful for users who have an Apple device or Android phone.
Rebooting your modem and router can also be a good idea if you are experiencing problems with wireless signals. Performing a modem reboot will send out a wireless signal, which should resolve some wireless issues. It's also a good idea to clear up any obstructed airflow around your modem.
Change your QoS settings
Using QoS settings to increase internet speed requires a bit of knowledge. QoS is a network configuration that prioritizes bandwidth. It is intended to prevent bottlenecks by directing traffic as the handler sees fit. There are several ways to configure this feature.
You can change your QoS settings to increase internet speed by adding a priority rule. A priority rule is a custom set of rules that tell the router what types of traffic to prioritize. These rules can prevent stuttering or lag in streaming video. You can also configure rules to block your kids from playing games online.
To set up QoS, you need to configure the download and upload speeds. Most routers have a Quality of Service panel. You can also create a priority list to assign certain traffic priority.
The most important thing to keep in mind when using QoS is that not all traffic is equal. Some apps use more bandwidth than others. For example, your video conferencing app requires more bandwidth than your email. To change your QoS settings to increase internet speed, you can make sure your email has a priority over the video conferencing app.
You can set up your own priority rules by adding an IP address or creating a custom rule. You can also delete or modify existing rules. You may want to set your home office computer as a priority over other devices.
Clear your browser cache
Besides speeding up your browsing, clearing your browser cache can also protect your privacy. Hackers can use cookies to track your activity. If you are a frequent visitor to a particular website, you may have a large cache.
While cookies are a small text file, they are important for identifying you and maintaining your login information. Cookies can also be used to create customized web pages.
When you clear your browser cache, you will be able to see the latest version of a website. This can speed up your internet browsing, as well as fix errors and problems with websites. If you're having trouble with a particular website, clearing your browser cache may be a good first step to troubleshooting the problem.
Most browsers provide a menu that allows you to clear your cache. Some browsers have an advanced feature that allows you to clear only specific types of data. Depending on the browser, the menu may include a list of checkboxes with the data you want to clear.
There are also keyboard shortcuts to help you clear your browser cache. For example, on a Windows computer, you can use "Ctrl+Shift+Delete" or "Command+Shift+Delete" to clear your cache. You can also use the "Clear browsing data" option on the right side of your browser's address bar.
When you clear your browser cache, you may see errors like a 404 page not found, or a "This site can't provide a secure connection" error. In some cases, your cache may be corrupted. If so, you'll need to clear your browser cache again to fix the problem.
Switch from a wireless to a wired connection
Whether you're looking for better internet speeds or simply want to increase the reliability of your connection, you can do so with a wired connection. There are several different factors to consider when making this switch.
The biggest factor is your internet provider. Your provider may have a cap on the amount of bandwidth you can use. If you exceed this cap, your connection will slow down. If you're getting slower speeds, you might want to look into upgrading to a higher plan.
Another factor is the type of device you use to access the internet. Wi-Fi is often more susceptible to interference than wired connections. The layout of your home can also block your Wi-Fi signal. Your neighbors' Wi-Fi networks may also interfere with your signal.
If you want to increase your internet speed, you can use an ethernet cable. Ethernet cables connect your computer to the router. Depending on the type of cable you use, you can achieve speeds as high as 150 Mbps.
To increase your internet speed, you can also try disconnecting other devices from your network. For example, if you're downloading a large file, you'll likely have a slower connection.
If you're looking for a wired connection, you may want to consider buying a Cat5e cable. Cat5e cables are designed to support speeds of up to 100 Mbps. They are also available in different lengths.
Stop unnecessary background programs
Putting your unused apps to sleep is a good way to save your CPU and your hard drive. For the same reason you might want to stop unnecessary background programs from bogging your internet connection down. It's one thing to have a great internet connection, but it's another to have a sluggish one.
The best way to determine what programs are running in the background is by using a Windows Task Manager tool. You can launch it from the Win-X menu, or by right-clicking the taskbar and choosing Task Manager. In Task Manager, you'll see a number of tabs and windows, including a Network tab. If you click on the Network tab, you'll see a list of all currently running apps. To turn off individual background apps, right-click on one of these windows and choose End Process. The same trick works on the system tray. If your PC is sluggish, you may have to reboot it. Luckily, Windows is not too hard to figure out and your computer will be up and running in no time. It's also worth mentioning that you should probably use an antivirus software, as spyware is another culprit, not to mention the aforementioned malware.
Aside from removing unnecessary background programs, a few other steps can help improve your overall internet speed. For example, unplugging your USB thumb drive or disconnecting other devices from your PC can be a big help.