Why is dsl so slow

These are new technologies such as Smart TVs that are equipped with Internet capability, gaming devices, media boxes such as the Roku , Boxee, and others, as well as the increased use of VoIP applications like Skype and music streaming services such as Pandora. Staying connected to the Internet at all times has become a way of life for most of us. So, what do you do when your DSL connection does not seem to be performing up to your expectations? Well, if you currently have a DSL broadband connection from your phone company or cable provider and are experiencing slow performance, here are a few steps you can take to troubleshoot the problem.

A DSL connection that has poor speed performance can be the result of a lot of different factors and influences which may go beyond problems with your DSL service provider. Here we will focus on the most common problems that can cause a DSL connection to run slowly and provide you with a few troubleshooting tips.

Before you spend time performing a series of tests, find out if your computer has been recently infected with a virus or malware. You can do this by running a scan with your antivirus program and deploying a malware removal program such as Superantispyware. In some cases, it is a good idea to run a second malware program such as Malwarebytes to double check for additional malware.

Malware infections are created by many different types of criminals that have extensive knowledge in computer programming. This means that for each type of malware program created, there is a different definition for that program. The definitions are entered into a database in which the anti-malware application uses as a reference for identifying specific malware infections.

Each anti-malware program has a slightly different way of accessing definition databases. For this reason, what one anti-malware program may identify, the other may miss on an initial scan.

Even after a virus or malware is removed by your PC protection program, the chances of files that remain hiding in your registry are pretty high, especially with the stealthier types of malware. Some of the programs are even capable of replicating themselves after removal the next time you boot up your device. The files will run quietly in the background and draw on your PC resources which can significantly slow down your DSL Internet connection.

This is why a trustworthy registry cleaner is an important contributor toward complete malware removal. A good registry cleaner will clean out old, broken, corrupt, and any leftover malicious files, and place your PC back in proper working order.

Do your homework and make sure you are choosing a registry cleaner that is developed by a trustworthy source. There are many fake registry cleaners out there that will do more harm than good. Once you are sure your PC is free of any malware or viruses, contact your DSL provider and ask them to conduct a speed test. If the problem is on their end, they can take the necessary measures to correct the problem. On the other hand, if the problem does not appear to be on their end, there are steps you can take on your end of the connection to determine the root of the problem.

You can begin by running a speed test online which is outlined in the next paragraph of this article. There are a number of websites online that will allow you to test the speed of your current DSL connection to compare it with other types of DSL connections. This is a good way to learn how close your connection is coming to what your DSL provider promised when you subscribed to their service.

Keep in mind that what the DSL provider advertises is the maximum speed you can achieve with their service. This does not guarantee you will be able to reach the maximum speed, especially during peak hours. However, the speed of your connection should at least be within a reasonable range of the advertised maximum speed.

That said, there are a number of services online that will help you test your DSL connection. Included is a short video on how this type of service works and how to find the one that is right for your needs. If your DSL provider did not discover any complications on their end and the online speed test still indicates there is a problem, try disconnecting the router and then resetting the router to the factory default settings.

You can do this by turning off the router, unplugging it, waiting a few seconds, and then powering it up again. Once the router is up and running, press the Reset button on the side of the unit and hold it down for at least 10 seconds. Make sure that the LED light for the power is blinking when you use the Reset button. This ensures that the router is being properly reset.

Keep in mind that when you reset the router, the password will be changed back to the default password which is usually admin or something generic like that. This means you will need to go back into the web interface to reset the password back to the original password you selected. The following video will provide you with an overview of different methods you can use to reset a router. Resetting the router will cause it to forget any issues which may have developed over the course of time and are causing a slow DSL connection.

POTS stands for Plain Old Telephone Service and is a splitter which is applied to telephone lines to improve the quality of voice and data.

When a POTS splitter is applied to the network interface device, its purpose is to separate voice and data signals and route them to the appropriate devices in your home. A POTS splitter can be obtained inexpensively at any electronics store offline or any electronics provider online. If possible, try using a shorter line where it leads from the cable modem to the telephone jack. Sometimes longer lines will create more interference which will slow down the speed of the DSL connection.

This problem is similar to issues that can occur when you use a long cable to connect a printer to your PC. More often than not, the printer will fail to work properly using the longer cable. We no longer support this browser. For an optimal experience, we recommend updating your browser. Please find your Zip code here. We know that slow internet interrupts life.

Slow internet speed can be caused by a range of factors, which makes it a challenge to pinpoint the exact cause. However, there are some things you can do to get the best speed possible from your service before calling for repair. Think you might have an internet outage? If your service appears to be down completely, get help on our outage page. This page only addresses a slow or spotty internet connection. Pro tip: It can be useful to run a speed test before troubleshooting for a slow internet connection.

Then, after following the steps here, run the test again to see the improvement for yourself. Note: Since your CenturyLink equipment is a combination modem and router, we use both words in this article. You might be surprised by how much your internet speed can be impacted by where your router sits.

You want to find a spot that is up off the floor and centrally located in your home or in the area of your home where most internet activity takes place.

Physical obstructions can also be major culprits in slowing down your WiFi speed. Look out for any of these things standing between your router and your connected devices:. Do your best to move the router or move other items so that these things are not blocking the path between your router and your devices. Routers can get bogged down after running for a while.

The easiest way to fix many connectivity problems is to restart your router. If you find you're needing to restart frequently, it's easier than ever to set up a daily or weekly reboot to keep things running smoothly. Check for firmware updates. Next, check to see if you need to update your modem's firmware.

This is key to making sure this essential piece of equipment is free of bugs and running optimally. As a last resort, you can try resetting your modem. Similar to resetting a smartphone or reinstalling a computer's operating system, this will erase custom settings and return the modem to its factory default status. Customers with Fiber Internet service have specific equipment requirements. With a connection that fast, you need to make sure your gateway modem can keep up. If your service is connected using a different modem, you may not be getting top performance from your service.

How many devices are using up your bandwidth? Many of these devices are always on and frequently run updates or backups in the background, all of which can slow internet speeds down quite a bit. Whenever possible, power off or disconnect devices that you aren't using. This can free up more speed for the ones you are using. You may also want to check device settings to ensure backups aren't scheduled at the same time as your personal use peak hours.

The key is, needs vary widely. One person living alone could easily get by with a 5 Mbps connection, while a large household doing multiple activities may need at least 20 Mbps. Set realistic expectations — depending on your plan speed, you may not be able to have three family members videoconferencing, streaming TV, and gaming online at the same time.

Those three activities in particular require substantial upload speeds as well as download, so check your plan. Special notes related to speed.

Consider the role of various web hosts: Content providers and apps send out huge volumes of high-bandwidth video content worldwide. If a video streaming provider is getting more demand than their bandwidth can handle, this can cause video buffering — meaning it lags or sticks while loading.

What we think of as "slow internet" can sometimes be a weak WiFi signal. Wireless speeds tend to be less than wired speeds on the same network, due to interference and signal loss over distance. But there are ways you can make sure your WiFi is running as fast as possible. Optimize your router.

See 1 above. Reduce interference from other electronics. Other devices in your home can slow down your WiFi connection, including microwaves, cordless phones, Bluetooth devices, TVs, wireless security systems, baby monitors, garage door openers, and more.

If you have a newer modem, opt for a 5 GHz frequency signal to get a stronger connection and avoid some congestion from surrounding devices, many of which use the 2. Protect your WiFi network with a good password. There are other ways you can ensure a secure network as well. Consider a WiFi extender. If your service is weak in parts of your home that are farther away from your router, a WiFi extender can increase your signal coverage in more distant areas.

Your network connection and your WiFi are only part of the speed equation. The devices that you connect to your internet also play a role. To get the best performance, make sure devices, apps and software are up to date, free of malware, and not being overloaded. Antivirus protection is essential for good performance.

Viruses and malware can slow down your whole system, including internet speed performance. Make sure every device is healthy by installing well-rated security software , keeping it updated and running security scans at least weekly.

CenturyLink internet subscribers can get McAfee protection for free on two devices. Your web browser Chrome, Edge, Safari, Firefox, etc. He exercised 2. David Zorub founded Parsifal Capital Management in , and he serves as the chief investment officer at the investment and […]. The recent spin-off of its managed infrastructure business into a company called Kyndryl NYSE: KD removes a noncore business from its balance sheet. Also, management promised that the two companies would maintain the current combined dividend.

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