Network Latency / Slow Speeds Troubleshooting

Isolate the Issue (Wired vs. Wireless):

• Wired Test: Connect your computer directly to the router/modem with an Ethernet cable. If performance improves, the problem likely lies with your Wi-Fi signal or wireless adapter.

• Wireless Test: If using Wi-Fi, test with multiple devices (e.g., laptop, phone, tablet) in different locations to determine if the issue is device-specific or affects the entire Wi-Fi network.

Check Wi-Fi Signal Strength and Interference:

• Signal Strength: Use a Wi-Fi analyzer app (on your phone) or software (on your PC) to check your signal strength and identify any dead zones.

• Channel Interference: Other Wi-Fi networks, cordless phones, microwaves, and even Bluetooth devices can cause interference. Use a Wi-Fi analyzer to find less congested channels (e.g., 1, 6, 11 for 2.4 GHz; various for 5 GHz) and manually set your router to one.

Router Overload/Firmware:

• Too Many Devices/Bandwidth Hogs: A large number of devices actively streaming, downloading, or gaming simultaneously can overwhelm your router.

• Router Age/Capacity: Older or lower-end routers may struggle to handle modern bandwidth demands.

• Firmware Update: Check your router manufacturer's website for the latest firmware updates, as these often include performance improvements and bug fixes.

Network Cable Quality: If you are using Ethernet, ensure you are using Cat5e or Cat6 cables, especially for gigabit speeds. Older or damaged cables can degrade performance.

Driver Issues (Network Adapters): Ensure your computer's Ethernet adapter and Wi-Fi adapter drivers are up to date. Download them from your computer manufacturer's website or the adapter's manufacturer.

DNS Resolution Issues: Sometimes, slow website loading is due to slow DNS resolution. Try changing your DNS servers to public ones like Google DNS (8.8.8.8, 8.8.4.4) or Cloudflare DNS (1.1.1.1, 1.0.0.1) in your router or computer's network settings.

Malware/Background Processes:

• Malware can consume significant bandwidth. Run a full scan with reputable antivirus software.

• Check Task Manager (Windows) or Activity Monitor (Mac) for any background applications consuming a large amount of network resources.