
How To Increase Download Speed On Your PC?
There are several reasons why your download speeds are slower when you play games, stream videos, use torrents, or browse the internet. The ISP throttling your connection is one of the most frequent causes. With a reliable VPN, this problem is simply resolved.
Still, there are other ways to speed up your downloads. This post will show you the reasons for the slower speeds as well as how to fix them so you can continue using the internet without experiencing lag or buffering.
Why Is My Download Speed So Slow?
Your router may be out of date or your ISP may be restricting the speed at which your downloads are occurring. For further reasons, look over the list below, which includes:
There are an excessive number of linked devices. An excessive number of devices connected to your network may cause local network congestion. This can get worse if someone in your home is downloading a game on a different device while someone else is streaming Netflix. As a result, you ought to connect fewer devices to your Internet.
Is It Wireless Or Wired?
The type of connection is important. Although Wi-Fi is slower than Ethernet cables, it may be more convenient. Wi-Fi is not the best option if you want to play games or carry out other latency-sensitive chores.
The Network Of Your ISP Is Overloaded:
It’s likely that a lot of people, including your neighbors, are connected to the network at the same time if you notice that your download speeds are slower during specific periods of the day. This may therefore cause download speeds to drop.
The ISP Slows Down Your Connection:
Users who engage in bandwidth-intensive activities, including gaming, streaming, or torrenting, may experience a slowdown in speed. Your ISP will consequently reduce the speed of your connection. Fortunately, you can continue to have a strong connection while your activities are effectively hidden from the ISP by using a VPN.
Bandwidth Throttling
Some internet service providers (ISPs) micromanage everyone’s internet traffic by restricting bandwidth. Similar to variances in speed, this should be included in your contract. A fix for this can be found in the section titled “Easy Fixes.”
Data Cap
You might go over the data cap if your ISP has data caps (such 500 GB or 1TB) and you use a lot of bandwidth. The ISP may decide to throttle your speeds as a result.
Router Issues
Changing the router’s firmware can speed up downloads. Restarting your router alone might not be enough to improve your download speeds if it’s outdated. To experience an improvement in such circumstances, you might need to replace the router or device.
Poor Signal
Make sure nothing is blocking the Internet because walls and distance from gadgets can cause your connection to be interrupted. Alternately, consider hunting for a router with additional features.
Hijacking
Someone may be using your internet connection without permission, like your neighbor. You may either change your password or look through the list of linked devices to see if there are any unrecognized devices to see if this is the case.
Torrenting
Download speeds will naturally drop if you download programs or games. The same holds for other software; background-running apps will function at a reduced speed.
How to Increase Download Speed On PC?
Experiencing slow download speeds on your PC can be frustrating, especially when you’re trying to stream, game, or download large files. Fortunately, there are several effective strategies to boost your download speed and ensure a smoother online experience.
Restart
It is best advised that the user restart the computer in order to speed up downloads. Some of the bugs are automatically fixed when the system is restarted, and the average download speed is resumed. By selecting the “Restart” option from the Windows menu after pressing the power button, users can swiftly restart their PC.
Check The Speed Of Your Internet
If your device wasn’t the issue, it might have been your internet. The amount of data your connection can transfer in a second is how fast your internet is. Taking a speed test is the simplest and most efficient approach to boost your download speed. You may accomplish this by typing “internet speed test” into Google. Press the “run speed test” button to find out how fast you are now downloading.
Your poor download speed is not related to the internet if your speed score is high, between 100 and 200 Mbps. Your internet connection may be the issue if your speed score is low, less than 100 Mbps. Remember that the number of users on your network at any given time affects your speeds.
Run Troubleshooter
Using a troubleshooter is one method of possibly boosting download speed. Given that it could be producing anomalies in the downloading process, a system driver could be the probable cause of the sluggish download speed. To increase the download speed in such a situation, you can launch “Network troubleshooter.”
Increase The Speed Of Your Internet
Large downloads can be too much for your internet connection to handle, depending on your service provider. Especially if your home is home to several people and devices, it might be worthwhile to upgrade to a plan with faster download speeds because slow download speeds can be very annoying. Look into your choices to see if there are any packages that can accommodate more data.
Cookies And Cache
Cookies are small files that are kept on your computer by your web browser with the purpose of remembering your browsing preferences and behavior. However, download speeds will be negatively impacted if an excessive number of cookies clog your browser’s cache.
Here’s how to delete cookies and cache:
Chrome
To clear browsing data, select click ≡. then, Settings > Privacy and security > Clear data. Choose Cookies and other site data as well as Cache images and files from this menu. Then, select the time frame you want to remove and click Clear data.
Mozilla Firefox
To access Settings > Privacy & Security. Click Clear Data… under Cookies and Site Data from this page. Next, choose Cookies, Site Data, and Cache Web Content, and finally press Clear.
Brave
To clear browsing data, select Settings > Privacy and security > Clear data. Choose Cookies and other site data as well as Cache images and files from this menu. Then, select the time frame you want to remove and click Clear data.
Edge
Select Settings > Privacy, search, and services by clicking ≡. Click Choose what to clear under Clear browsing data from this point on. Next, choose Cookies and additional site data as well as Cache files and pictures, and then click Clear now.
Disable Programs That Aren’t In Use:
Comparably, before downloading, you should disable any applications on your smartphone. Slower speeds may be caused by the applications that are consuming a significant amount of your bandwidth on your computer. Netflix and other video streaming services, for instance, consume a lot of bandwidth. Try turning off the apps for a while to see if it helps.
Check For Malicious Software:
Malware has the potential to endanger your device by consuming bandwidth and reducing download speeds. It might also take up a lot of RAM on your computer, which would make it harder for other apps to function.
It is advisable to locate dependable anti-malware software in order to identify and remove harmful items from your device. In this method, if your device has any malware on it, your download speed will increase dramatically.
Move Your Router To a New Position:
Another significant factor that may affect your download speed is the location of your router. When positioning your router, keep in mind that not every part of your house will have a strong signal for internet access. Consider purchasing Wi-Fi extenders that can improve the range and speed of your internet if you live in a large home.
Keep your router off the floor, out of cabinets, out of basements, and away from microwaves and other appliances in the house. To ensure that your connection is strong throughout your entire house, place your router in the middle of the room.
Use a VPN:
Some people think that because a VPN connects through an encrypted server, it can reduce Internet speeds. On the other hand, iProVPN can increase speed by preventing ISP throttling.
In essence, an iProVPN conceals your online content from your internet provider. Your ISP won’t be able to throttle any of your online activity if it can’t see what you are doing. This means that you can browse, stream, play games, and torrent quickly.
Upgrade The Firmware:
Frequent firmware updates for your router are necessary to maintain optimal device functionality and speed. It is crucial to update software regularly since software performance might deteriorate over time. You can accomplish this by visiting the brand’s website and gaining access to your router’s settings. Update the current settings after logging in, and you might be able to resolve any download speed-related problems.
Conclusion
Slow download speeds can be caused by various factors, including outdated routers, ISP throttling, or network congestion. Solutions include restarting your device, checking internet speed, running network troubleshooters, clearing cookies and cache, disabling unused programs, and relocating your router. Using a VPN like iProVPN can also prevent ISP throttling, ensuring a faster and more stable internet connection for all your online activities.
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FAQs
Why is my download speed so slow?
Slow download speeds can occur from various factors such as outdated routers, ISP throttling, network congestion, excessively connected devices, or even malware consumption of bandwidth.
How can I determine if my internet connection is the issue?
Conducting an internet speed test is a quick and effective way to gauge your connection's performance. If your speed score falls below 100 Mbps, your internet connection might be the culprit.
What can I do if my download speed is slow?
There are several steps you can take, including restarting your device, running network troubleshooters, clearing cookies and cache, disabling unused programs, relocating your router, upgrading your internet plan, and using a VPN to prevent ISP throttling.
How do I clear cookies and cache from my browser?
The process varies slightly depending on your browser. Generally, you can access these settings through your browser's menu. For Chrome, Firefox, Brave, and Edge, you can find the options under Settings or Privacy and Security.
Can moving my router improve my download speed?
Yes, the location of your router can impact signal strength and download speed. Keep it elevated and away from obstructions like walls and appliances. Wi-Fi extenders can also help improve coverage in larger homes.