Check what speed you're actually getting right now
Before you start troubleshooting, you need to know whether the problem is your internet connection itself or something else on your device. Open a web browser and go to speedtest.net. Click the big blue "Go" button and wait for the test to finish. Write down three numbers: your download speed (measured in Mbps), your upload speed, and your ping.
Compare these numbers to what your internet provider promised you. If you pay for 100 Mbps and you're getting 95 Mbps, your connection is fine — small variations are normal. If you're getting 20 Mbps when you should be getting 100 Mbps, your connection itself is the problem and you should contact your provider. If your speed test shows normal numbers but downloads still crawl, the issue is on your device or with the specific service you're downloading from.
Key Takeaways
- Run a speed test at speedtest.net to see whether your connection speed matches what you're paying for, because slow downloads can come from your device instead of your internet.
- Restart your router by unplugging it for 30 seconds, then plugging it back in — this fixes most connection slowdowns and takes less than a minute.
- Move closer to your router or switch to a wired connection with an ethernet cable if you're on Wi-Fi, because distance and walls cut wireless speeds dramatically.
- Close browser tabs, streaming apps, and anything else using the internet, because one device hogging bandwidth will slow downloads on all your other devices.
- If your connection speed is normal but downloads still crawl, the problem is usually the website or service you're downloading from, not your internet.
Restart your router — the fastest fix for most slowdowns
A router that has been running for weeks or months can get bogged down and start dropping speed. Restarting it clears its memory and usually restores normal speeds within a minute. Unplug the power cable from the back of your router, wait 30 seconds (count them out), then plug it back in. The lights on the front will blink as it restarts. Wait another 30 seconds for it to fully come back online before you test your speed again.
This works because routers manage thousands of small connections at once, and sometimes those connections get stuck. Unplugging forces the router to forget all of them and start fresh. If you restart your router once a week, you'll avoid most slowdown problems before they start.
Switch to a wired connection if you're using Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi is convenient, but it's also slower and less stable than a cable plugged directly into your router. If you're downloading large files, move your computer or device next to your router and connect it with an ethernet cable. You can buy a 25-foot ethernet cable for under $10 at any electronics store or online. Plug one end into the ethernet port on your router (it looks like a phone jack, but wider) and the other end into the ethernet port on your computer.
If your laptop doesn't have an ethernet port, you can buy a USB adapter that adds one for $15 to $30. A wired connection will almost always be faster than Wi-Fi, sometimes dramatically so. If your download speed jumps back to normal on a wired connection, your Wi-Fi is the problem — move your router to a more central location, away from walls and metal objects, or consider upgrading to a newer router that supports Wi-Fi 6.
Close everything else using the internet
If someone else in your house is streaming video, downloading files, or playing online games while you're trying to download something, they're using up your bandwidth. Every device on your network shares the same connection, and bandwidth is divided among them. Ask anyone else in your house to pause what they're doing, or check your router's settings to see which devices are connected and how much data each one is using.
On your own device, close all browser tabs except the one you need, quit streaming apps like Netflix or Spotify, and close any cloud backup software like OneDrive or Google Drive that might be syncing in the background. Open your Task Manager (Windows) or Activity Monitor (Mac) and look for programs using the network — anything showing activity in the "Network" column is using bandwidth. Close the ones you don't need right now. Even a single video call or background update can cut your download speed in half.
Move your router away from obstacles and interference
Wi-Fi signals travel through air but get blocked or weakened by walls, metal, and water. If your router is in a closet, behind a filing cabinet, or in the basement while you're upstairs, you're losing speed to distance and obstacles. Move your router to an open, central location in your home — ideally on a shelf or table rather than on the floor. Keep it away from microwaves, cordless phones, and baby monitors, which broadcast on the same frequency and can interfere with Wi-Fi.
If moving the router isn't practical, you can buy a Wi-Fi extender or mesh system to boost the signal in the rooms where you need it. A mesh system (like Eero or Netgear Orbi) replaces your router entirely and spreads the signal across multiple units placed around your home. A Wi-Fi extender is cheaper but less effective — it picks up your existing signal and rebroadcasts it, which cuts speed in half. If you're only a few rooms away from your router, moving it is usually the cheapest fix.
Check for malware and unwanted background programs
Malware and unwanted software can run in the background and consume your bandwidth without you knowing. Run a malware scan using Windows Defender (built into Windows) or your antivirus software. On Windows, open Settings, go to Privacy & Security, then Windows Security, then Virus & Threat Protection, and click "Scan Options." Choose "Full Scan" and let it run — this can take 30 minutes or more, but it's thorough.
Also check what programs start automatically when you turn on your computer. On Windows, press Ctrl+Shift+Esc to open Task Manager, click the "Startup" tab, and look for programs you don't recognize or don't need. Right-click any suspicious ones and select "Disable." On Mac, go to System Settings, click General, then Login Items, and remove anything you don't recognize. Fewer startup programs means less background activity eating your bandwidth.
Contact your internet provider if the problem persists
If your speed test shows you're getting much less than what you're paying for, and restarting your router and switching to a wired connection didn't help, the problem is likely on your provider's end. Call your internet provider's technical support number (it's on your bill) and tell them your speed test results. Have the numbers from speedtest.net ready when you call.
Your provider can run a line test from their end to see if there's a problem with the connection coming into your house. They may also ask you to restart your modem (the device that connects to the wall outlet and plugs into your router) — this is different from restarting your router. If they find a problem, they can send a technician or replace your modem at no charge. If they don't find a problem, ask whether you're in an area with network congestion during peak hours — some neighborhoods get slower speeds in the evening when everyone is home and online.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is my download speed slower than my speed test shows?
Speed tests measure your connection to a nearby server under ideal conditions, but real-world downloads depend on where the file is coming from. A file hosted on a server far away or one that's overloaded will download slower than your connection speed allows. The website or service you're downloading from might also be throttling (intentionally slowing) your speed. Try downloading from a different source to see if the speed improves.
Does restarting my router really help, or is that just a myth?
Restarting your router genuinely helps because routers manage thousands of connections and can get bogged down over time. It's not a myth — it's a standard troubleshooting step that works often enough that tech support always suggests it first. If you restart your router once a week, you'll prevent most slowdowns before they happen.
Will upgrading to a faster internet plan fix my slow downloads?
Only if your speed test shows you're getting less than what you're paying for. If your speed test is normal but downloads still crawl, upgrading your plan won't help — the problem is something else. Check your speed first before calling your provider to upgrade.
Can I download faster on my phone than on my computer?
Not usually. Both devices share the same internet connection, so they get the same speed. Your phone might feel faster because it's downloading smaller files or because you're comparing it to a computer that has other programs running in the background. Close everything else on your computer and try again.
Is ethernet cable really that much faster than Wi-Fi?
Yes, usually. Ethernet is wired and doesn't have to compete with other devices for signal. You'll often see 20 to 50 percent faster speeds on ethernet, sometimes more. If you're downloading large files regularly, a wired connection is worth the small cost of a cable.