Choosing the right internet service for your home is no easy task. One of the biggest woes is paying a considerable amount to an ISP (Internet Service Provider) for service, but not getting the speed you’re paying for. In that case, it is always best to run routine speed tests for internet speed verification so that you can ensure you are getting the speed that you’re entitled to.

Fortunately, there are some simple ways in which you can ensure that your internet plan matches your internet speed by running an effective speed test. I’ll walk you through the simple steps, so sit tight and read all the way to the end.

Before You Proceed with a Speed Test

Check Your Internet Plan

First things first, there are a couple of things to take care of before you run a speed test on your internet connection.

For instance, take a good look at your existing internet plan so that you’re aware of the facts and figures about the internet speed. To make the process easier for yourself, you can consult the broadband label provided with each internet plan to have a thorough breakdown of your internet plan.

You also need to have a cursory knowledge of how internet speeds work. This makes it easier to understand how much speed you are currently getting and how much speed you actually need.

Being aware of the advertised download and upload speeds for your internet plan, you can easily check the internet speed vs plan to see whether you are getting the speed you’re paying for.

Clear the Clutter from Your Network

Next, you need to make sure you disconnect all unnecessary devices from your internet connection. This includes any device that has a Wi-Fi feature and is on standby, while connected to your internet connection. While it may not seem so, these devices are still utilizing bandwidth despite being on standby.

Other than that, pause any ongoing downloads, such as large game updates on your console or a movie streaming on Netflix. This helps clear up some more room on your bandwidth for more accurate results. Lastly, also close any bandwidth-heavy applications such as online games, since they are very bandwidth-intensive as well.

Time to Run the Speed Test

This is the main step, the one that will set the record straight. This is the part where you run a speed test on your internet connection to see how much download and upload speed you are currently receiving.

Since ISP speed test accuracy is crucial, you get authentic results before you can deduce anything else.

  • LocalCableDeals’ own speed test tool, which measures your connection’s performance and reports standard results that include download speed, upload speed, and ping

Make sure to run multiple tests instead of just one so that you know for sure whether you are actually getting the right speeds:

  • Speedtest by Ookla: This is considered to be the most popular among all online speed test tools. In fact, people from all over the world use the platform, which goes to show how accurate the platform is.
  • Fast.com: Next up, there’s Fast.com, also a very credible online speed test tool. You can use it as a secondary to Ookla to double-check your speed test results.

Now, you might be wondering how to measure broadband speed. The process is actually pretty simple.

Once you have closed all background apps, open the speed test tool on your browser and run the test by clicking on “go” or “start”. The tool then analyzes your internet connection and lets you know your current internet speed, including download and upload speeds. This also helps you identify an upload-download mismatch if the facts aren’t adding up.

You should also run tests during peak hours to figure out whether your internet speed is being throttled. Lastly, you should run tests in the Wi-Fi dead zones of your home to determine whether it’s an issue because of weak internet signals or from the provider’s end.

Why Your Internet Connection Might Be Slow

If the speed test results are not up to par, there could be multiple reasons why your internet connection is slow.

For instance, you may be facing ISP speed throttling at certain times of the day when they slow down the internet to manage the load during peak hours.

Similarly, you may have Wi-Fi dead zones in your house where signal strength is lower, leading to a slower internet connection.

You may also be using an outdated router, which can’t deliver the internet speed that you need.

Other than that, you might have placed your router in a place where you don’t get maximum signal output, compromising your internet speed.

However, you can easily fix these issues through DIY (Do it Yourself) methods, which are suggested in the next section.

What Can You Do with the Results?

Once you have your results, you can use them to compare your average tested speeds to the one mentioned in your internet plan. If they match, then that means that you are getting the internet speed that you are entitled to.

However, if they do not, then you should try running a test by connecting your device to the router through an Ethernet cable. This helps to determine whether the issue is with the wired connection or the wireless.

If results appear okay on your Ethernet connection but not on Wi-Fi, then the slow internet speed may be because of the distance between your router and your devices. In this case, you need to move your router to a more central location, set up an extender or a mesh network, or even upgrade your existing internet plan, if your internet usage has increased over time.

If all else fails, reach out to your Internet service provider (ISP) and give them all details of the issues that you are facing, including not getting the internet speed you are paying for. Upon reviewing your concerns, they should hook you up with a solution in no time and get your internet connection back to working again.

Finally, if none of these work for you, switching your internet service provider is also something to consider.

Call (844) 343-1127 Now to Find a Reliable Internet Service Near You

Slow internet speeds are frustrating, so make sure you run frequent tests to ensure you’re getting the internet speed you’re paying for. A little awareness about how to check internet speeds can help you make the most of your connection!

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I run a speed test on my internet service?

Disconnect all unnecessary devices from the internet, pause all downloads, open speedtest.net, and click on “Go”.

Where can I learn more about my internet plan?

Visit your ISP’s website and look for the Broadband Label, which includes a breakdown of all the essential information you need about your internet plan.

How can I manage my bandwidth?

Disconnect all unnecessary devices from your internet connection. This will clear up more bandwidth for your internet connection.

How can I experience a faster internet connection on my computer?

Use an Ethernet cable instead of using Wi-Fi. You will have a significantly faster internet connection.