The global presence of the internet and online connectivity has made lives easier but what if this blessing turns into a burden? And we are unable to harness the full potential of our connections? In this case, upgrading might be a considerable option. Therefore, we’re discussing seven useful signs that can help you gauge your internet’s performance and decide if it needs to be replaced. Let’s dive in!

Is It Your Router or the Connection?

As per Ookla, America ranks fifth on the Speedtest Global Index. Although it's impressive, there’s a lot of unequal distribution when it comes to bandwidth and performance. While some regions have blazing-fast speeds, others can’t even carry out usual searches without lagging. This inconsistency has people divided over providers and their services. However, it may not always be your provider’s fault entirely, routers can also be responsible for shady internet. But how do we find the culprit in such cases? Here’s how.

Change your router if:

The router is overheating or extremely hot to touch

You face dead zones or spotty internet in some places

It has provided more than five years of usage

Rebooting or restarting doesn’t make things better

It doesn’t download or respond to firmware updates

Official Internet Requirements

As per FCC’s latest broadband requirements, all broadband connections need at least 100 Mbps download and 20 Mbps upload speed. And yes, this benchmark includes gaming, streaming, online work, etc. If you take a valid speed test and the results don’t match the respective criteria, it may be a clear sign to upgrade. However, to make things easier, we have mentioned seven more signs below to help you decide.

When to Upgrade Your Internet

1. Video Calls are Frustrating

Grainy screens, frozen graphics, and buffering are video-call lovers' nightmares, and they become less avoidable with a bad internet connection. If you are not getting the promised Mbps, your social app calls might go through, but they won’t be satisfactory. The entire video/audio call may be filled with ‘I can’t see you’ or ‘Can you hear me?’ and if you are especially unlucky, it may be a mix of both.

Now we may debate that sometimes the calls aren’t just good but if that happens every single time, run to upgrade your internet immediately.

2. Can’t Juggle Multiple Users/Devices

A sluggish internet connection can't support your wife’s phone, your laptop, and your kids’ gaming devices simultaneously. One user might just get the best experience, or everyone’s fun can be jeopardized. Either way, a reliable internet connection should be able to maintain everyone’s activities. We can blame the bandwidth on some peak hours, but if it happens often, you might want to consider switching to another ISP.

3. Issues with Gaming/Streaming

If you’re unable to play even the lightest mobile games, it might be a sign to either upgrade your plan or switch to another provider. In a graphics-heavy game with advanced features, this is especially risky as your entire progress is at the mercy of a wonky internet signal. And to avoid such gruesome player losses, upgrading to a better connection is a must.

Find the best internet for intensive gaming and have non-stop fun.

4. Inconsistent Bandwidth

If you want to make an embarrassing ‘will it work or won’t?’ game out of your internet’s performance, go ahead. You might get a bad signal when moving around or while using your favorite social app; Which will multiply into a series of slow internet instances. However, a consistent signal will decide your next online move. The frustrating back-and-forth that messes with your usage progress can be avoided with durable signal strength. It should overcome distance, positioning, and dead zones to provide the best results possible. To save your sighs of helplessness and endless calls to customer services, we suggest upgrading.

5. Unreasonable Prices and Data Caps

Here’s a cruel picture; you wake up one day and see a $50 spike in your internet provider’s charges. And it doesn’t stop there, after 6 months, there’s another $100 surge that throttles your budget. If this scenario is your reality, we recommend switching immediately. Changing your plan wouldn’t work, you need to change providers instead.

Short contracts and shorter data caps are 2 more alarming red flags in a provider and you need to take them seriously. What’s the point of having almost 3000 American ISPs if you can’t choose a reliable internet connection? Therefore, consider the affordability of a provider before you subscribe.

See our guide to finding the cheapest internet providers!

6. Malware and Connection Security

This is a rather underrated but important factor. Your internet connection decides whether your journey will be safe and blissful or direct countless untraceable viruses to your device. You could choose a provider with in-house security policies or one that provides malware protection as part of its services. Either way, safety is a priority you shouldn’t compromise on.

7. Buffering and Latency

From your Instagram reels to detailed YouTube vlogs, everything needs the internet. If your days are spent waiting for the content to load, you might need to upgrade the connection. While low latency is usually preferred, a comfortable range is between 20-40ms. Any internet connection exceeding this limit isn’t worth suffering for. Track and measure your ISP’s performance to assess a pattern and switch accordingly.

Tips for Upgrading the Internet

1

Make a list of at least 3 top providers in your area

2

Compare every aspect based on what matters to you

3

Choose the plan that aligns best with your needs

4

Confirm compatibility with
the router

5

Call and negotiate with your ISP for a better plan before you switch

While internet connections may vary, the above-mentioned seven signs can help you assess your needs and move forward. A final word: you don’t need issues to upgrade your internet - go for it just because! Striving for a better connection is your right as a consumer, and you can exercise it with the right plan in mind.

FAQs

What is the lifespan of a Wi-Fi router?

The average lifespan of a good router is between 7 to 10 years. After the said limit, it may give below-par performance and might not be able to keep up with the usage.

How do I know if I need to upgrade my internet?

There are some telltale signs you can follow:

  • Slow and wonky internet
  • High latency
  • Bad coverage and signal
  • Can’t support multiple users
  • Horrible performance for video calls, gaming, and streaming

How do I know if my internet connection is good?

If you’re satisfied with the overall performance and quality of your connection, it’s a clear indicator. However, you can use the metrics of low latency and high speed to get a better idea.