Top Five “Other” Causes Of Slow Internet

[by: COMMANDER ENTERPRISE]

While most slow broadband internet issues are clearly defined and categorised, there are other issues that aren’t instantly identifiable. Often, the more obvious cases and causes are anticipated, while equally debilitating issues are overlooked.

Most of these issues are internal, or dependent on physical connection parts that aren’t readily checked. They’re considered secondary “sub-issues” that follow only after the first priority issues are confirmed.

But connection issues are connection issues, and these problems need immediate addressing nto stop the broadband throttle, and to help speed up and maximise high speed broadband formats.

After the jump, we present five uncommon but important (and highly impacting) slow internet causes. This is also to guarantee a uniform connection to the ISP from the user’s end at home or on their devices.

5. Modems and connections – It is possible that the problem might just be the modem, or some minor modem settings. Usually, after heavy activity, a quick reset or even hard reset can help clear settings and help restore a faster connection. This involves also turning off other users in the network and leaving just one main connection open after the reset. Resetting the modem also clears the bridge connections to the ISP’s line and reopens it with a faster and better bandwidth range speed.

4. Old cables – if the connection has been around for at least 3 years onwards, then it might be a good idea to check the physical connection that facilitates the broadband service. A rewiring might already be needed to refresh the speed and the quality of the connection.

This means checking for the actual wires and cables from the modem and wall sockets, and if accessible (or possible), the connections from outside the modems and to the outside ports in the premises of the house leading to the connection boxes owned by the company or ISP.

Outside elements (moisture, heat, impact, compression, bended corners and parts, etc.) play a huge role in the uniform health of the physical connections. In some cases, the connections beyond the owner’s home and premises might also be faulty or old, and deterioration over time definitely affects latency and bandwidth speed, due to the lesser quality of transfers to and fro.

3. Unseen interference – These come from many varied sources including but not limited to old radios, phones, VOIP phones, smartphones, tablets, stereos, electromagnetic components in appliances (from televisions to washing machines), sound equipment, and many others. Make sure wiring is separated and not in the same socket or area. These can be tested to see how much interference is generated and if their use is a huge impact on overall quality. This should be fairly easy to solve by removing all nearby devices and avoiding using these types of devices near the modem, router and computer.

2. Other users, other apps, other items – various connection throttlers, broadband leechers, unseen Wi-Fi users and even other apps and functions will definitely slow down connections, even if some of them don’t even use the internet. Make sure that all apps and programs that aren’t needed (including those running on standby, in the background or alongside the main apps) are closed when needing the maximum bandwidth possible. Maintain a balance of operations against the bandwidth needed and the processing power of the computer or device.

For those with modems that have wireless capabilities, other users that are unseen can occasionally or totally limit bandwidth depending on the frequency and type of usage. Anything beyond the total home network bandwidth can be checked and from there, access limits or bandwidth limits can be set on other network connections, or stronger security protocols can be installed to cut off all possible intruder use.

1. Malware/adware/spyware/viruses – usually, Microsoft Security Essentials and most Mac anti-virus apps are enough to ward off the most common speed-gobbling malware and viruses, yet once in-a-while, a quick run will reveal one or two pests that have already infiltrated the system. Take them out immediately and make sure the app is updated.

These evil little beings drain the connection and choke up total bandwidth, and only by eliminating them completely will they let go of the chokehold on the internet speed. A reliable anti-virus app and firewall will do the job, as well as regular maintenance, but avoiding common entry points (bad emails, bad sites, spam, phishing tactics, etc.) for these unwanted elements is much better to ensure regular high speed access and general computer protection.