How To Troubleshoot Your Home Network

Objective 

The following steps should help you achieve optimal performance of your devices and network. If you are still experiencing difficulties, you may need to contact your internet service provider.


Table of Contents 

Test The Speed

  1. On multiple devices, test the internet speed (download and upload)

    1. On a laptop or desktop, visit www.speedtest.net

    2. On an iOS device, download Speedtest by Ookla

    3. On an Android device, download Speedtest by Ookla

  2. A really good internet download speed is at or above 20 Mbps. These speeds will support most online activities by several users.

Move Closer

  1. Move closer to your modem and router and run the speed test again.

    1. Proximity to that equipment does make a difference. 

    2. Using applications such as Wi-Fi Sweetspots can often help find good locations in your location.

  2. Do you get the same speed results?

    1. If your speed is still slow, continue below.

    2. If the speed is improved significantly, move your work space closer to your modem and router or look at purchasing a Wifi extender 

Restart The Device 

  1. If just one device is showing poor speed but other devices are fine, restart that one device.

  2. If necessary, have that device forget the wireless network and reconnect.

  3. After a restart, test the speed again on that device.


Restart The Modem And Router

  1. If 2 or more devices are showing poor speed, you can restart the modem and wifi router.

    1. Modems bring the Internet to your home. A modem is a small box that connects your devices to the internet using cables. There is typically a coaxial cable or phone line connecting the modem to your Internet Service Provider (ISP).

    2. Routers bring the Internet to your devices. A router is a small box that sometimes has large antennas which sends the wireless signal throughout your house.

    3. Some ISPs provide a combined modem and router box. For example, this model from Xfinity

  2. Restart both of these devices by unplugging them for 10 seconds and plugging them back in. 

    1. It may take about 5 minutes after connecting them back to power for them to reconnect.

  3. After a restart, test the speed again on multiple devices.


Contact Your ISP

  1. If you have restarted your devices and your router / modem and your speed is still slow, you need to contact your Internet Service Provider (ISP)....

  2. They will check your equipment and speed remotely and confirm the speeds you should be seeing.