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Now that we're using smart home devices, cloud gaming, and video-streaming services daily, maintaining a strong internet connection is more important than ever. If you're experiencing lag while playing the Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 beta, or it takes forever to download music, there's a good chance the problem is on your end and not your internet service provider's. But what's the issue? Before you schedule a service call with your ISP, here's how I recommend troubleshooting the problem so you can quickly fix your internet connection problems.
1. Try Another Device or Website
Start with the obvious: Is the problem only happening on one device or all of them? If your computer's having problems, see if your phone or another laptop can connect to the network. If the problem only happens on one device, you can safely narrow the problem down to that particular machine.
Likewise, if a specific website won't load, try another site. If you can visit others just fine, it's likely that the problem is with the website you're trying to visit, and you'll have to wait for them to fix things on their end. Try typing the website's address into downforeveryoneorjustme.com or downdetector.com to see if there's a known service outage. If there is no known outage, it could actually be an issue with your browser's cache. You may want to try visiting the site in a private browsing window or from a different browser to see if that fixes the connection problem. And clear your browser's cache and cookies.
2. Check Your Internet Package
If your internet is working, but it's slower than expected, it may be time to doublecheck with your ISP on what speeds you should be getting. Head to a site like Speedtest.net and run a speed test. You'll get a number in megabits per second denoting the speed your computer is actually experiencing. From there, open to your ISP's website and check the latest bill.
If the number on your bill is the same as your speed test, then you're getting the correct speeds you pay for. If that feels too slow, you'll need to upgrade to something faster. If your speed test is significantly slower than the speed you pay for, then you are indeed having problems, and should continue with troubleshooting.
3. Check Your Wi-Fi Settings
Check the Wi-Fi settings on your device and make sure you're connected to the proper SSID. If not, you may be accidentally connected to the wrong network by default. Windows users and those with macOS Monterey or older can change the connection priority to ensure you can connect to the correct network. Alternatively, you can deselect the auto-connect option next to any unwanted network names.
If you're connected to the right network and still have problems, Windows can help you diagnose the issue. Right-click on the network icon in the system tray and select Diagnose network problem (Win 11) or Troubleshoot problems (Win 10) to run the Windows Network Diagnostic routine. This can sometimes correct common issues by resetting the adapter. You can also check your network adapter settings under Network and Sharing Center in the Control Panel to make sure the adapter is using the correct gateway address and other settings.
4. Check Your Bandwidth
It's possible that everything is working properly, but a program on your computer is using up all the bandwidth. On Windows, open up the Task Manager by pressing Ctrl-Shift-Esc and click on the Network column to sort by network usage. On a Mac, press Command-Space to open Spotlight, type "Activity Monitor," and head to Activity Monitor's Network tab. If a certain app is using a lot of bandwidth—like if you're downloading a big file—you may just need to wait until that process is finished, or cancel it to free up bandwidth on the network.
If you don't see any obvious culprits, see if someone else in the house is downloading a large file on their machine, and tell them to knock it off. If someone's using a game streaming service, for instance, there are ways to prevent them from hogging all the bandwidth on the network. There's also always the chance that a neighbor is stealing your Wi-Fi. We have instructions on how to see who is on the network and kick them off.
5. Scan for Viruses
Sometimes your internet connection can be affected by malicious code on your computer. Spyware, viruses, and malware can each have a significant impact on your web-surfing speed and overall system performance. If nothing else is making sense, do a virus scan to be sure. Windows comes with Windows Defender built in, though there are plenty of free and paid utilities available as well. And yes, even if you have a Mac, you should still invest in good antivirus software—despite what you might have heard, they aren't immune to infection.
6. Bypass Your DNS Server
When you type a website into a browser, your computer looks up its IP address using a Domain Name System server. Occasionally, these servers have problems, making it difficult to visit websites using their friendly domain names (like PCMag.com). It's like having a working phone with no contact list—you can technically call people, but you don't know anyone's number. You can try to reset things by flushing your DNS cache. Otherwise, change the DNS server outright, either on an individual device or at the router level so it affects everything on the network.
7. Decode the Blinking Lights
If you can't connect to the internet, take a look at the LED status indicators on your modem/router. If some of the lights are on, but some aren't—or they're flashing repeatedly—you'll want to know what they're saying. Check the manual for your hardware to diagnose what these lights mean. If the network light is on but the Wi-Fi lights aren't, you may need to press the Wi-Fi button on the side or re-enable Wi-Fi from the configuration menu. If the lights are flashing, it could be unable to find an internet connection, necessitating a call to your ISP.
If none of them are on, then the modem or router is likely off. Check to make sure that nothing has been accidentally unplugged and that the power switch (if there is one) is turned on. Otherwise, disconnect the power cords and wait a minute or two. If the modem and router are separate, plug in the modem first. If the lights turn on, you can then plug in the router. If you still don't see lights, it could be a failed power adapter, a faulty power strip, or a fried router.
8. Get a Better Signal
If you're using Wi-Fi, there are plenty of problems that can slow down the connection. Try connecting your computer directly to the router with an Ethernet cable. If that solves the problem, then the Wi-Fi signal is poor enough to degrade your internet speed.
Check the Wi-Fi icon on your computer: How many bars do you have? If you're low on bars, you may need to move the router to a more central location in the house. You can also extend the reach of your network with a Wi-Fi extender or mesh system. If you have full bars but there are a lot of Wi-Fi networks in the building, it may just be too congested, and changing the channel or using the 5GHz band may help solve the problem.
9. Update Your Firmware
It's also possible there's an issue with the software that runs your modem or router, and a firmware update could iron things out by resolving performance issues, adding features, or increasing speed. Look for the firmware update tool in the System section of your router's settings—not from a third-party site—and follow the instructions carefully to ensure that you're installing the correct firmware version. This process is very easy with a mesh Wi-Fi system, since you can do the update right from the app.
10. Wipe Your Settings Clean
If you previously changed any router settings, and now there's a problem, try resetting to the factory default configuration. For most routers, this involves pressing a very small reset button on the rear panel and holding it down for several seconds until the LED lights begin flashing, but there may also be a reset option in the settings menu. Once reset, you can log into the web interface and set it up from scratch as if you're hooking it up for the first time.
11. Upgrade to a Faster Router
If you're using an older 802.11b or 802.11g router, you may want to consider upgrading, especially if you have multiple computers, smartphones, and other devices vying for bandwidth. A dual-band router gives you two radio bands to choose from and allows you to dedicate a band to clients that require lots of bandwidth, like streaming video devices and gaming consoles. A tri-band will offer three bands, and can support even more activity.
Moreover, newer routers employ the latest technologies to deliver speedy throughput, with enhanced Wi-Fi range. The current router standard is Wi-Fi 6, and it's enhanced version Wi-Fi 6E. There's also Wi-Fi 7, but it's still not widely adopted and the tech that supports it remains expensive. Check out our list of the best wireless routers when you're ready to take the plunge.
12. Head to the Source
If nothing helps, the problem may come from further down the line. Inspect the cable coming into your home. This is usually located on the side of your house, and can be housed in an enclosure. Make sure the main cable hasn't been chewed up or knocked loose. If it's damaged, you can fix it yourself. If you have a cable splitter, make sure each connection is tight and the connectors are properly crimped. Replace it if the splitter looks rusty or dirty, though they can degrade signal strength, so try getting rid of it if you don't need to split the signal.
13. Dial Up Your ISP
If you've tried everything and are still experiencing internet connection woes, it's time to call your service provider. Some providers even offer chat support. The problem could be on their end, and may require a new connection at the pole coming into your house or new equipment, such as a better modem or an amplifier.
If you're experiencing slowdowns at certain times of the day (think after school and work hours), it's possible that your ISP is simply unable to handle the increased user load, in which case you may want to find a new service provider. Lucky for you, we've tested them to find the best ISPs in the country.
