Nowadays it feels like everythingconnects to the internet in some way—from computers and smartphones to baby monitors and security cameras.All these devices in your home share your bandwidth. Every device on your networkdecreases your bandwidth a portion, especially overWiFi.
Think of it like traffic on the highway.During rush hour when there’s a lot of traffic, thecars travelslower than usual.This is the same for your internet connection.Congestionis causedwhen everyone in your home is accessing the internet at the same time. Add in some lane closures–like older devices runningupdates orback-ups– and your speedis further reduced.
Wired vs.Wireless
A hardwired connection will always beatWiFi.Wherever possible, use an ethernet cable to connect devices like smart TVs, gaming consoles, smart speakers, etc.This isn’t always possible, but when it is you’ll see a massive difference.
Number of Devices
The term “Internet of Things” is used to describe all the devices in your home that use an internet connection to exchange data. From doorbell cameras to Google Home Minis to smart locks—our homes are increasingly filled with the Internet of Things devices. Each of these devices connects to your internet network either through WiFi or a hardwire connection. Some of these devices–like cameras or 4K TVs–consume a lot of bandwidth.
It’s not unusual for your speeds to come down at night when everyone at home finishes dinner and starts streaming Netflixat the same time.More people online means everyone is more likely to experience slow speeds. Be mindful ofthe number of people and devices accessing your network.
Age of Devices
Your home network is only as strong as its weakest link.It’s possible for older devices on a network to slow things down for everyone else, even with a newermodem.Older computers, laptops,and mobile devices with slower processors could be putting the brakes on your connection.
With new technology coming out every day, we recommend upgrading your hardware every few years. Or remove that old computer or device from your WiFi network and only sign on when you are actively using it.
WiFiRouters
Like your devices,older routerswillslowdownyour connection.If your router is more than three or four years old, it’s probably time to think about buying a new one.
If you are trying to push a lot of data to a lot of devices over an old WiFi router, we recommend looking into a mesh network like our HOP WiFi.A mesh network is basically a system of multipleWiFiaccess points that work together to blanket every corner of your home with a strong wireless connection. Unlike stand-alone routers that lose signal the farther you move away from them, mesh stations piggyback on one another to create a continuous wireless link throughout your home.By connecting all these access points together, you scale up the load your bandwidth can carry.
Viruses andMalware
Viral programs like malware and spyware will also slow down your connection. These programs download to your computer and lurk in the background.If this is the case, the spyware could be connecting to the internet without your knowledge and hogging your bandwidth. Always run internet security software, and never open email links or attachments froman unknown source.
There are several programs available to help manage and remove malware from your computer. Many of our customers use Malwarebytes or SpyBot Search & Destroy. These are both free programs that can be installed on your computer to assist you in removing Spyware and malware.
Run a SpeedTest
If your network appears slow, try running a speed test. We recommend SpeedtestbyOokla. You can download the desktop app for free on your computer or mobile device, or access it on our website.You can use it to check both yourWiFiand wired connection; we recommend checking both.
Remember that all the devices in your home share bandwidth—when you conduct a speed test, any device in usewillaffect the result.
If you have questions about your internet or WiFi speed, call 360-321-TECH (8324). Our friendly tech support is available to help 24/7. Or give us a call at 360-321-1122 to learn more about HOP WiFi and our high-speed internet options. Find more information on our website.
FAQs
Every device on your network decreases your bandwidth a portion, especially over WiFi. Think of it like traffic on the highway. During rush hour when there's a lot of traffic, the cars travel slower than usual. This is the same for your internet connection.
Does internet speed vary by device? ›
Several factors can impact the speed recorded by a test: Devices (phones, tablets, PCs, etc…) can have very different Wi-Fi and cellular radio capabilities. This means you might get one Speedtest result on one device and a different result on another, even using the same provider.
What affects the speed of your internet connection? ›
The type of hardware you use, age of the device, operating system, web browser, network interface card (NIC) and other applications running on your device all affect upload and download speeds.
Does mobile data speed depend on phone? ›
Hardware, band frequency, physical obstacles, network load, signal strength, and many other factors can influence the speeds of your mobile data. It is important to always check your device specifications and have your device positioned in an open environment to eliminate as many of these factors as possible.
How is Internet speed divided between devices? ›
The available speed will be divided in accordance with the speeds required by the applications on all the connected devices. For example, 30 Mbps will not suffice to simultaneously watch several live videos in Ultra HD because that would require more than 30 Mbps.
How do devices affect Internet speed? ›
Every device on your network decreases your bandwidth a portion, especially over WiFi. Think of it like traffic on the highway. During rush hour when there's a lot of traffic, the cars travel slower than usual. This is the same for your internet connection.
Why is Internet speed slow on one device? ›
A slow internet connection may be due to a variety of reasons. It could be your inefficient router, internet service provider (ISP) bandwidth throttling, outdated devices, or even malware. While speeding up your internet connection on your computer is not always easy, there are ways to optimize it.
What controls internet speed? ›
Internet speed may be affected by a number of variables, including: The host server and its Internet connection. The Internet routers through which data travels before it reaches your network. Adware or spyware that causes a computer to process data more slowly.
What are the factors affecting the speed of the internet? ›
Multiple factors affect the speed and quality of your internet connection. Transfer technology, your location, the number of people you share the connection with and the device you use are only some of these factors. There are also differences between a fixed network and a mobile network.
Why is my internet so slow on my PC but not my phone? ›
If you're connected to Wi-Fi that's only slow on your PC, try updating the operating system and any apps you have installed. You may also have to update or reinstall your network drivers. If everything is updated and should be working fine, you may have malware you need to remove.
When you live in a home or work in an area where multiple people frequently use too many devices on the same network, you may experience low bandwidth. This would be experienced across multiple devices, making the devices slow down to the point of affecting even simple web browsing.
Can my computer cause slow internet speed? ›
As we mentioned before, sometimes the issue isn't with your internet connection—it's with the smartphone, computer, or tablet you're using to access the internet. It may need a reboot, it may be outdated, or you have too many apps and programs open, bogging down the device's processor.
Can a device cause internet problems? ›
Some electronic devices, such as microwaves, garage door openers, and baby monitors can also interfere with your Wi-Fi signal causing slowdowns and disconnects.
Is internet speed limited by device? ›
If your modem and router are up to date but you still aren't seeing the speeds, your wireless devices may be the issue. Just like your router and modem, every wireless device has a different limit of how much speed it can support.
Does internet speed depend on phone processor? ›
Processor and RAM size do not directly affect internet speed, but they can affect the speed of processing and displaying data on a device. A faster processor and more RAM can make the device feel more responsive and faster when browsing the web, but it does not impact the actual internet speed.
Do you need higher Internet speed for more devices? ›
Multiple devices demand more bandwidth.
If you plan on streaming 4K video content and have multiple devices connected to your network at the same time, you should seriously consider investing in a plan that can provide faster download speeds, such as 200 Mbps.
Why is Wi-Fi faster on some devices than others? ›
Devices with higher processing power and ample RAM can handle multiple data streams, and network requests more efficiently, resulting in better WiFi performance.
What is a good Internet speed per device? ›
How many Mbps do you really need?
| Number of devices | Use Cases | Recommended Download Speed |
|---|
| 1-2 | Web surfing, email, social networking, moderate video | Up to 25 Mbps |
| 3-5 | Online multiplayer gaming, 4K streaming | 50 - 100 Mbps |
| More than 5 | All of the above plus sharing large files and live streaming video. | 150 to 200 Mbps |
May 23, 2024
There are a few common reasons why your PC's Wi-Fi might be slower than your phone's. Here's what you could check: Wi-Fi Adapter: Your PC's Wi-Fi adapter might not support the speed that your router is capable of. You can check the specifications of your Wi-Fi adapter to see what speeds it can handle.
Can you limit Internet speed to certain devices? ›
Look for the Quality of Service (QoS) setting. It might be under the "Advanced" or "Bandwidth Control" section. 3. Enable QoS and set a maximum bandwidth limit for the device(s) you want to restrict.
