Why Is My Internet So Slow All Of A Sudden? [8 Amazing Quick-Fixes]

In this world of fast browsing, having a slow internet connection is the last thing that you would expect. Just imagine a situation when you are watching a movie and it is continuously browsing, you are uploading attachments to your email and it is not being sent or even you are playing up a game and it is getting lagged.

However, experiencing such issues once in a while is quite common for you. There may be multiple reasons why you are facing such issues from the WiFi modem; there may be multiple reasons why you are facing it.

Knowing all about them and finding the right solution is never easy for you. However, this guide will surely help you to get a proper solution to your question Why Is My Internet So Slow All Of A Sudden?

There may be several reasons why you may be facing such issues. At times, they can be very serious and also difficult for you to discover. If you were doing a lot of things with the WiFi network, the first thing that you needed to consider is the state of the modem as well as the external sources.

There may be multiple reasons why you are frequently facing such issues. There are some issues which commonly seem and here are some issues that you must consider. Before you try to find the solution to increasing the internet speed, diagnosis is a very important step. Without diagnosing properly, you may not be able to find the exact solution.

1. Give the Router some rest

If you are running any electronic device for long durations like 24 hours, it is very evident that the device will not work exceptionally well for a long period. The same happens with your router. When you are using a Router for longer hours, it may easily heat up at times or even hang because of continuous run hours. In such a case, a lot of things in your Router may get affected like Power Cycling, the slow connections or even wireless issues.

So when you are using a Router for long hours, it is very important to give some rest. Not giving so will lead up to severe damages and the router may ultimately not work at all. So it is always essential to keep the power cycling active and in a better condition. Here are some steps mentioned below that you can always follow:

1. Simply turn off the router from the mains cable and allow it to rest.
2. Make sure that you can allow the Router to cool down for 5 minutes. 
3. Unplug the power cable from the router completely and disconnect all the power supplies to the router.
4. Once it cools down, you can now plug in the power cable once again and then turn it on. 
5. There may be a slight change in the memory of the Router but once it resets, it will go good.

2. Upgrading the Router

It is quite possible that the Router is not being able to match up with the latest technology from your ISP. At the same time, it may not be able to match up the current speed as well. Every router manufactured with the product includes a maximum cap limit. The configuration of the Router is manufactured in such a way that it allows multiple devices getting connected with the modem.

Thus, the top bandwidth speed of the modem gets distributed to the devices which may bring down the limit of the router speed. Purchasing a new Router with higher capacity will surely help you to solve the problem. But you need to check the current status of the Router capacity. You can follow the steps below:

1. Use your WiFi module to get connected with the Router. You can do it with your PC.
2. Next up, open a local browser and then do it to a reliable website where you can find the download and upload speeds. You can also go to speedtest.net and then run a test.
3. Take up to three tests and then keep a track of the readings which you can find. This will help you to get better results.
4. Use a new device and get it connected with the same router network and then run a test from this device. If you find a significant drop in speed, it will not be so great.

3. Location of your WiFi Router

If you are at a distance away from the router, it is quite common that the router is not working properly. This may also affect signal strength. So if you are experiencing slow signal strength and internet speed, you can consider this as one of the primary causes. The location of the WiFi Router may indirectly impact a lot to reduce the WiFi speed and then give you the least coverage.

To make sure that it acts properly, the first thing that you need to do is to diagnose the WiFi Router properly and check for the distance and then the certain obstacles like walls as well as doors. Only after diagnosing it properly, you can get to the ultimate solution.

Understandably, the signal strength depends upon the network capacity of the WiFi Router. If the router is kept at a long distance away from the devices that you are using, it is evident that you will not be able to find the highest quality of signal strength. In such a case, the speed will be slow. Even if you are using a Public WiFi or a private WiFi, it is evident that the WiFi Router will not work at the highest distance.

So it is the best idea to relocate the WiFi Router to a new place. Try to opt for a place which is more central to the home. This will allow you to cover almost all directions of your home without any issues at all. You can simply relocate it to a better place where you are present most of the time.

Still if the problem is not solved then you can buy a Wi-Fi Extender to extend the range of your WiFi. We have sorted the best Wifi extender for Comcast and Fios compatible Wi-Fi extenders. These are approved by mainly by all the ISPs. They might solve your problem.

4. Too Many Users

Just like every Router has a speed limit, there is also a limit to the number of connections available for a router that you can use. One of the most primary reasons why your internet is being too slow is because it has multiple users connected to the Router. When such numbers of devices are connected to the router, it pulls out the bandwidth and allows internet sharing.

Thus, it can effectively reduce the internet speed in the least amount of time. Just normal browsing will not affect the Router speed much. However, if any user is downloading files, streaming HD videos or even playing games through the same internet connection, the speed may easily drop.

To get rid of this problem, there are some possible ways by which you can increase the internet speed. If you share the Router with your family or friends, you can also look for limiting the bandwidth to the allocated devices.

This will help you to share limited internet with the other devices and then you can get the proper results accordingly. You can always opt for a proper service along with the router’s settings which will give you a stable internet connection.

However, this feature may not be found in all the routers available and you may have to purchase a higher configuration router. This will help you a lot to get the proper results according to your requirements.

5. Resolving the Problem in Device

Before you step up to change your Router or even purchase a new one, you can get some help to solve this problem. Having a slow internet connection may be a common factor for any home. Most of the time, there may be a problem in the device which will mean that you will not face any more problems with the router.

However, at times, the device may be a major problem for you. The WiFi module of the device which you are using may have the major problem and this will affect you to get proper results. If the device is not working properly, it will not be able to establish proper connections and will never allow you to get the fastest internet speed.

6. Using the Power Saving Mode

The Power Saving Mode is generally installed on every router which helps a lot to perform well. In fact, it allows the router to perform with a balanced action and then give a proper response to your signaling network. If you have a higher rate of transmitting power, it will increase the signal strength as well.

However, the Power Saving Mode s enabled in such a way which will limit the maximum capabilities of the router. Here, the router will be limited to several devices and also the range may be also limited. So to get the ideal results, the first thing that you need to do is to disable the Power Saving Mode. You can also follow the steps mentioned below.

1. The first thing that you need to do is to go to the control panel and then follow it up to the System and Security.
2. Over there, you can get several menu options. Just click on the Power Options.
3. You can now go to the Change Plan Settings option out of the different options available.
4. Once you are done, you need to change the power settings. Click on the button and then get the proper results.
5. Once you are done, just click on the Advanced Settings Tab. This will allow you to locate the settings of the adapter. You can just click on the Maximum performance option to get the proper results.

7. Update Network Drivers

Network Drivers are another reason why there has been so much of low internet speed available. It is evident that if your router is using old software, it may not be compelled enough to give you the highest speed provided by the ISP. This will also mean that the Network Drivers are not properly updated and will continue performing to a limited number of devices and the limit of the internet speed.

Thus, updating the Network Drivers is very important and you need to have a proper result. To update the Network Drivers, you may have to download the updated Network Driver file to any Flash Drive. Make sure that it is compatible with the version of the OS that you are using. You can now follow the steps mentioned below:

1. The first thing that you need to do is to go to the Control Panel and then follow it up with the Hardware Settings.
2. Here, you will get several options available where you can change the Sound and the device manager. Just click on it.
3. Now, you can find the menu as Network Adapters where you can find the established connection present.
4. Just click on each of the devices and then right-click on it. You will find the option to update the Driver Software.
5. You can also do it with the help of the flash Drive. Simply run the drive to install the updated driver.
6. Once you are done, just check on the Search online for updates option to automatically update the Network Drivers in future use.

8. Background Programs

Another reason why the router may not be running properly is just because of the options of Background Programs. If you use mobile devices or even maps and live music in the background, they consume continuous internet. This will already occupy a lot of bandwidth. So while opening another page and browsing, you may face several difficulties to get the results that you are looking for.

While most of the background programs are already running and consuming so much data, it is almost impossible that you will still get high-speed internet throughout. Background Programs will deny you to consume more data and high-speed internet sessions.

The assumption of Background Programs consuming more data is not only a part of the mobile devices, but they may be common for your PC as well. Certain applications are always set to consume more internet and data in a short time. There are some applications like Internet Security and the Antivirus that always keeps on running while you are working on your PC.

Even if you are browsing the internet or doing other things, it will work continuously. So it is very important that you keep a track of all these applications and then you have to check the internet speed available. You can just use anti-spyware software which will reduce the data consumption of Background Programs.

Apart from the direct problems in your router or the device, there may be multiple other reasons why you are facing this problem. There may be several issues on why you can face the slow internet connection regularly. This will also mean that you are having several issues that will affect directly reducing the internet speed.

Below, we have discussed the list of the external forces which may affect in reducing the internet speed and then get the proper results. You can also find out the solution to these problems listed below.

1. Traffic is Heavy

The one thing that will matter the most is the amount of heavy traffic that is available. If a website has heavy traffic it is always difficult for you to load up a web page in minutes. If the website has a lot of traffic and it is not compatible enough to host several heavy web traffic, it will be slow to load.

Thus, it will also affect the time taken to load up the page. You can easily create a diagnostic test with the help of a speed test page. If you find that your Internet speed is still high and you are facing issues with the heavy traffic, it may get difficult for you to land on heavy traffic. Thus, the only solution is to open up the web page later and get along with proper traffic results.

2. Number of Routers

This is another common issue that can take place if you have several router signals in a small space. It may affect directly in any location. If you are using a public WiFi Network which is present along with several other networks available for you. While working in a single channel, you may get several routers to work with.

However, because of this clumsy network, there may be congestion in the network. There may be a possibility that the Routers available on the single-channel are clashing because of the network. In such a case, you may not be able to work with any of the available routers. So, it is always ideal to use a different channel with the router.

3. WiFi Interference

The WiFi Interference means that you may have a separate hotspot connection while you are just being connected with another wireless router. It may happen at times because of heavy traffic in the network which might result in diverting the signal strength. This will not allow you to establish a secure connection to the dedicated signal network.

If you are using a different WiFi interface with the same router, it may not be able to provide you with the maximum power. Some of these devices include the baby monitors, cordless phones as well as microwaves. This is mainly because they may also use the same frequency with the WiFi network.

4. Unsecure Connection

The next factor that can affect the signal strength is the factor for an Unsecure Connection. If you have an Unsecure Connection, the signal strength will never be good and you will not get the reliable speed as well. So you need to have a secure internet connection with the WiFi network. This will allow you to get the proper results at the fastest available time.

To get it secured, you may have to configure the WiFi password and the settings which will help you to get the proper details immediately. You may have to follow the proper guides present in the instruction manual to get the details about the IP settings. You can follow the few steps mentioned below to configure the WiFi settings properly.

1. Check for the username and the password mentioned on the Router. 
2. Go to the default login page of the router where you can find the login credentials.
3. Enter the login credentials and then go to the configure option available.
4. Check for the configuration settings and then open up the IPV4 option available in your network Adapter menu.
5. Enter the details accordingly to configure the WiFi properly. Once the configuration is done, change the settings to keep it saved.

5. Rush Hour

Rush Hour problems may also be a common factor that you must consider while you are browsing. The ‘Rush Hour’ is a particular time of the day when almost everyone is surfing the internet. Here the speed may just be reduced. The only solution is to get going after a few times.

6. ISP problems

There may be no problems at your router or your device end as well. Their problem may also be in the ISP end. If there is a problem with the ISP end, you may have to wait until the maintenance is over. You can complain to your ISP about the current internet status and know about the problems.

Facing issues like slow internet connection may happen once in a while, but if this issue is becoming too common for you, it may not be a good sign at all. There may be several reasons why you are facing such problems and not finding the ultimate solution for it. So, you must start by diagnosing the problem. This will help you to find out the perfect results that you are looking forward to getting.

We hope that this guide has the right solutions for you to bring back the old internet speed. However, if this solution does not work well for you, you need to call the Internet Service Provider or the WiFi Modem maintenance. Do write in the comments below about the things that you would want to cover.

Last update on 2024-04-18 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API