Oct. 7, 2020
Many things can contribute to slow download speed and figuring out the underlying problem to your slow connection can sometimes be tricky. While it may be a simple fix like checking your internet speed or restarting your computer, some solutions are more complex.
Internet speed tests, like this one or the test found at SpeedTest.net, measure the latter, or the speed reaching the device running the test. These test results are often lower than your plan speed due to various factors outside your Internet provider's control, including WiFi conditions and device capabilities. Internet Speed Hack V6 1 free download - Internet Download Manager, Internet Explorer, Apple Safari, and many more programs.
Download speed refers to how many megabits (Mbps) per second it takes your server to download data to your device. Files, videos, images, and text are all forms of downloads. Any applications you use on your devices, like Spotify, Instagram, and YouTube, all require you to download data.
According to the Broadband Speed Guide from the Federal Communication Commission (FCC), download speeds of at least 25 Mbps are considered good download speeds. But how can you increase download speed if yours is slow?
It’s important to note that the number of devices and internet users you have in your household can affect your download speeds. If your household usage is moderate to high, meaning you have more than 3 or 4 devices running at a time, you may need to increase your speeds to exceed 25 Mbps.
Read on to discover 15 different ways you may be able to increase your download speed.
1. Restart your computer
Before you dive into other methods, try a good old restart. Sometimes you may have applications running on your computer that you didn’t know were still being used or you may have too many browsers open at once. Simply restart your computer and begin the download with only one browser open.
2. Test your internet speed
If the problem wasn’t your device, it may be your internet. Your internet speed is measured by the amount of data your connection can transfer per second. The easiest and fastest way to increase your download speed is to run a speed test. This can be done by inputting “internet speed test” into Google. Click the “run speed test” button for a gauge on what your current download speed is.
If your speed score is fast — around 100-200 Mbps — this indicates that your slow download speed has nothing to do with the internet. If your speed score is low — below 100 Mbps — this could be an indication that the internet may be the problem. Keep in mind that your speeds vary depending on the number of users that are on your network at a time.
3. Upgrade internet speed
Depending on your service provider, your internet connection may not be able to handle large downloads. Slow download speed can be frustrating and it may be worth it to upgrade to a plan with higher speeds, especially if your household has multiple people and devices. Explore your options and see if there are packages available that can support a higher volume of data.
4. Disable other devices connected to your router
The more people and devices you have connected to your internet, the slower the connection can be. When downloading, try disconnecting any other devices, like smart TVs, iPads, and phones for the time being. This may increase your internet and download speed significantly.
5. Disable apps that aren’t being used
Similarly, you should disable any applications on your device when downloading. The applications you have running on your computer can take up a good chunk of your bandwidth, which can contribute to slower speeds. For example, video streaming services like Netflix use a heavy amount of bandwidth. Temporarily disable the apps and see if that helps.
6. Download one file at a time
When downloading multiple files at once, it’s not uncommon for your download to fail. This could be because your device isn’t compatible with downloading large files. To make it easier, try downloading one file at a time. Though this may seem counterintuitive, it can end up saving time.
7. Test or replace your modem or router
If you want to connect multiple devices to your home’s internet, you need to connect a router to your modem. A router not only allows you to connect multiple devices, but it also acts as an antenna to extend the range of the Wi-Fi throughout your home.
The modem you have is typically provided by your service provider. Sometimes the fix can be as simple as restarting your modem. If your download speed has been significantly slow and you saw no change in speed after restarting, it may be time for a new modem.
The best way to check your modem’s signal strength is to put your device close to it. If your speed increases when you are directly next to the modem, this is a good sign, in which case your router may be the issue. As mentioned, the router allows you to extend your connectivity range. If your device is too far away from the router, this could be impacting your download speed.
8. Change the location of your router
The location of your router can have a major impact on your download speed as well. Be mindful of where you are placing your router as some areas in your home may not have a strong connectivity signal. If you have a large house, consider getting Wi-Fi extenders that can boost the range and increase your internet speed.
Avoid putting your router in basements, bathrooms, cabinets, on the floor, or near microwaves and other home appliances. Your router should be in a central location so the connection can reach throughout the entire home.
9. Use an ethernet cable
Sometimes Wi-Fi can be tricky, in which case connecting to an Ethernet cable can quickly increase your download speed. To do this, connect the Ethernet from your modem to your device. Since this is hardwired and you don’t have to rely on Wi-Fi, this option can deliver the fastest connection for your download speeds.
10. Upgrade your cable
If you opt for the fast solution by using an Ethernet cable but still don’t see a change in download speeds, you may need to check the cable. If the cable is too long or if it is outdated, try upgrading to a higher-quality, shorter cable. Sometimes this slight change can make all the difference.
11. Scan for viruses
Viruses on your device can cause a multitude of issues. These viruses can run in the background, using your internet and increasing your bandwidth usage, which results in slow download speed. To prevent this, consider installing antivirus software to protect yourself from viruses, malware, and other online threats.
12. Limit bandwidth usage
Aside from installing virus scanners, you may also want to limit how much bandwidth is being used on your device. Bandwidth is a measurement that refers to the amount of data that can be transferred within a network. All of the applications, downloads, and updates that happen on our network can take up our bandwidth, causing download speed to suddenly slow down. If this is the case, manually disable automatic updates by going to your device’s system preferences. You can also manually limit how much bandwidth is being used by updating your device settings.
13. Clear your cache
Cache is what stores your internet data to help website browsers and apps load faster. Sometimes your browser cache will become full and can cause download speeds to run slower. While you may not want to clear your cache completely, you can choose what data to clear. You can clear your browsing history, computer cookies, and cached images and files.
Go into your browser settings, check the boxes with data you wish to clear, and hit “clear data.” You can also download browser plugins to help keep your cache clear regularly.
14. Update firmware
Your router’s firmware should be updated often to keep the performance and speed of your devices up to par. Over time, the software performance can start to decline, making it important to update regularly. You can do this by accessing your router’s settings through the brand’s web page. Once you are logged in, update the current settings and you may be able to fix any issues associated with download speeds.
15. Discover your router’s best settings
When logging into your internet service providers account to update the firmware, you can also check on the different settings. The default settings that are set on your router are often not the best. Go to your provider’s web page to learn more about what settings work best for your router and download speeds.
Slow download speeds are frustrating, especially since there’s not one simple fix. Always keep your internet speeds up to par and make sure your devices are compatible with your current ISP package. With the tips and tricks mentioned in this article, you should be able to fix whatever is causing your slow download speed in no time.
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Internet Speed Hack Mac Os
Almost everything we do on our Macs today requires a stable and fast internet connection: checking email, sending messages in a chat, hopping on a video conference call, downloading documents, etc. So when the quality of the WiFi signal drops, our lives nearly come to a standstill.
Luckily, you can learn how to extend WiFi range, how to make your WiFi faster, and ultimately how to boost WiFi signal throughout your office or home with the help of a few simple tricks.
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Best Ways To Speed Up Internet On Mac
Knowing how to boost internet speed not only makes loading webpages and watching YouTube videos faster but also improves the WiFi signal reception throughout your space. You should start with simple solutions like checking your WiFi speed and restarting your router and gradually move towards more complicated ones like switching frequencies and updating firmware. Let’s go through the whole process step by step.
Test your WiFi speed
To understand the severity of your WiFi issues, the first thing you have to do is see how fast your WiFi signal is and then compare it to the speed you pay your ISP (internet service provider) for:
- Visit speedtest.net
- Click Go
Restart your WiFi router
The easiest solution for how to make WiFi faster is to simply reset your router. Find where the router is in your space (often connected to a cable or phone line). On the back, the device should have an on/off button — press it to turn the router off and then again to turn it back on. Wait for about 30 seconds and check if this WiFi speed booster option worked on the speedtest.net website.
Check your network diagnostics
If you see that your Mac WiFi booster is underperforming or not working at all, you can ask your Mac for advice too:
Hold down Option and click on the WiFi icon in your menu bar
Select Open Wireless Diagnostics
Click Continue
Follow the instructions given
Additionally, try switching web browsers (e.g. between Google Chrome, Safari, and Firefox) or use an Ethernet cable to connect to your router directly. If the cable doesn’t work, it means that the problem is either with the router itself or the internet connection to your house and not limited to just WiFi. Call your ISP.
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Analyze your WiFi coverage
It’s entirely possible that you’ll get a better answer to how to improve internet speed in your house if you take some time to analyze how evenly your WiFi actually covers your home (or office). To do so properly, however, you need a high-quality WiFi booster for Mac.
NetSpot is a robust Mac WiFi network analyzer that will scan all the nearby connections and give you every data point you need to know for troubleshooting. In addition, the app lets you upload a map of your space (or even draw one) to check your coverage precisely and see where the signal breaks down.
Adjust your WiFi router
Since you now have a clear WiFi coverage map, you can start physically moving your router a bit closer to the areas where the coverage is poor. A few guidelines to help you:
Position the router away from outside walls and as centrally as possible
If you have more than one floor in your space, putting the router on the top floor will work better than keeping it on the ground one
If you don’t have much leeway moving the router around, at least make sure to elevate it in its place as much as possible
Remove any obstructions between your router and your space (e.g. don’t hide it in a closet)
For routers with antennas, make sure to point them straight up or in the direction where the WiFi signal is weakest
Remove non-essential devices
Another idea for how to speed up WiFi is to simply disconnect all the extra devices you don’t need to be on your network. If it’s in your office, maybe you can limit the number of phones that are connected to the network at any given time. In your home, maybe it’s worth disconnecting your Xbox, printer, or a laptop that you don’t use very much.
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Update router firmware
Most of the time, your router gets automatic updates. But sometimes outdated router firmware might not let you boost WiFi signal appropriately, so you need to update it manually:
Find your router admin settings on the back (192.168.x.xxx), along with username and password
Type the number into your URL address bar in the browser and log in
See if there’s an upgrade to your router available
Use a 5 GHz WiFi band
Most routers now support two different WiFi bands: 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz. How do I know which WIFI channel is best? Since nearly every device uses the 2.4 GHz frequency by default, including all the gadgets your neighbors have, it could help to switch to the 5 GHz one to see better results. The 5 GHz band is also able to send more data, although it’s not as good at going through walls as 2.4 GHz.
You can create a 5 GHz band network right from your router’s admin panel. Make sure to give it a distinctive name or just add 5 GHz at the end so you can differentiate between the two. Once done, go to System Preferences ➙ Network ➙ Advanced and move the newly created network to the top to automatically connect to it first.
Buy a new WiFi router
If you need more ideas for how to increase WiFi speed, why not look into updating your router? It’s likely that your device came for free with your ISP and, chances are, it’s a bit outdated and not that powerful.
The standard router denomination is 802.11. While most old routers are 802.11g and 802.11n, you really want to get the latest 802.11ac one, which handles queries like video streaming much better. You might even call your ISP and ask to update your current router for free, if possible.
Extend your WiFi network
The best answer by far to how to make WiFi stronger in a large house or space is to get a WiFi signal booster on Mac. Essentially, what it does is accept a weak WiFi signal and amplify it in the parts of your home where reception is not good otherwise.
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There are lots of alternatives for WiFi extenders on the market. TP-Link RE220 presents a good and low-cost option you can spread out through your home as does Netgear Nighthawk X6 EX7700. But how do you know where you need to boost WiFi signal exactly?
WiFi Explorer is a complete monitoring solution for your internet connection. Launch this app from the various spots in your home and it will perform a complete analysis of your area, including all the networks, channels, bands, download speeds, and more. Then place WiFi speed boosters anywhere you see signal degradation.
Create an LTE hotspot
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In case you’re trying to figure out how to boost WiFi speed while your WiFi is down, you still need access to the internet. Initiating a hotspot from your iPhone is a logical way out, but you need to make sure that your Mac is using the LTE network only for troubleshooting and doesn’t automatically go downloading some irrelevant update.
TripMode is a handy menu bar utility that restricts your Mac’s internet connection to save you precious data. For example, you can only allow access to Safari and block your backup software or media downloader. You also automatically see the amount of data being used and stay in control to avoid any surcharge on your phone plan.
As you can see, there are plenty of ways for how to boost WiFi signal on Mac, from adjusting the positioning of your router to using apps like WiFi Explorer and NetSpot to find the best frequency to connect to. Even in case, your WiFi is completely down, you can use TripMode to find a solution via your iPhone hotspot.
Best of all, NetSpot, WiFi Explorer, and TripMode are available to you absolutely free for seven days via Setapp, a platform with more than 200 Mac apps for any task you could ever encounter. Sign up today and download and explore for yourself — at no cost!