Why is My Internet Slow All the Time?

One of the most frustrating occurrences is when loading an Internet page seems to take an eternity. Not only is waiting and praying for your computer’s cooperation a frustrating task, but not having any knowledge of why or how long it will take compounds the frustration further.

Why is My Internet Slow?

There comes a time when we will all ponder, “Why is my Internet slow?” Obviously, calling technical support is a reasonable route to take in seeking the answer, but there are a couple things you should check and investigate before reaching out for help, as the problem may be simpler than you realize.

1. Check Router/Modem

Many of the issues we face with slow Internet can be traced back to the router or modem. Both are at the center of the wireless Internet connection and small issues with them can be the cause of Internet problems. It is recommended that you reboot your computer as well as the router and the modem, as this is enough to fix the issue in some cases. The location of the router could also be an issue. It is important that when selecting the site of your router, you decide on a place that is central to the area that it will be covering. In some situations, the signal will not be capable of reaching all the necessary areas, resulting in slow speeds. If none of this works, ensuring that these devices are configured correctly is very important because small errors can make a huge difference.

2. Close Running Background Applications

This is a relatively easy fix when compared to the complexity of routers and modems. Software can often be running in the background of your computer without you evening being aware of it. To pull up a list of the tasks currently being used on your computer, push “Ctrl+Alt+Del” and the Windows Task Manager will appear. The Task Manager shows this list of programs as well as how much memory they are taking up. Peer-to-Peer networks (used for file sharing between users) are an example of the kind of programs that can take up a serious amount of memory, and a lot of times are solely responsible for the slowing of a computer. If several of these programs are running, it is a good idea to close out of the unnecessary ones that are taking up a lot of memory.

3. Check Disk Drive Space

Amount of disk space on a computer is necessary in ensuring that the Internet keeps running effectively. To check how much space you have available, you should visit this link:

http://www.computerhope.com/issues/ch000369.htm

Directions to determine disk space are specific to the operating system and this website gives specific examples of exactly how to check. The next step if there is not much available space is to find a way to regain some of it. Again, here is a link that will provide more detailed information on how to do that, specific to whichever operating system is being used:

http://www.computerhope.com/issues/ch000528.htm

If none of these three troubleshooting tips helps to rid your Internet of its slow behavior, seeking technical assistance is the next route. While IT help is a useful tool, it is always a good idea to seek out the solutions beforehand. This could save significant time and help you gain a better understanding into the workings of your computer.