October 20, 2025
Tech Quizzes

Common tech questions about increasing internet speed

Questions

  1. What factors actually determine my internet speed?
  2. How can I accurately test my internet speed?
  3. My Wi-Fi is slow. What are the first things I should try?
  4. Should I upgrade my internet plan or just optimize my current setup?
  5. Is it better to use Ethernet (wired) or Wi-Fi for speed?
  6. How can I optimize my Wi‑Fi network (placement, channels, etc.)?
  7. How can interference affect my speed and what can I do about it?
  8. When should I consider a mesh network or a new router?
  9. Do all devices on the network affect each other’s speeds?
  10. Are there software or security steps that can improve speed?

Answers

  1. Factors that determine speed:
  • Your service plan’s advertised speeds and how close you are to them.
  • Modem and router capabilities (tech standards like DOCSIS 3.0/3.1 for cable, Wi‑Fi standard like 802.11ac/ax).
  • Network congestion (time of day, heavy usage in your area).
  • Wired vs wireless connections (Ethernet typically faster and more stable than Wi‑Fi).
  • Distance from router, obstacles, and interference (walls, metal, microwaves, neighbor networks).
  • Device limits (old hardware, old network cards, software limits).
  • Background usage and malware, VPNs, or misconfigured QoS.
  1. How to test speed accurately:
  • Run multiple tests on different devices, ideally directly connected to the modem with Ethernet.
  • Use reputable speed test sites (e.g., speedtest.net) and compare wired vs wireless results.
  • Run tests at different times of day to gauge variability.
  • Ensure no other devices are using bandwidth during the test (pause updates, streams, etc.).
  • Check latency (ping) and jitter in addition to download/upload speeds.
  1. First steps to fix slow Wi‑Fi:
  • Reboot modem and router.
  • Check for firmware updates on both devices.
  • Move the router to a central, elevated location away from interference.
  • Replace older routers with a more capable model (Wi‑Fi 5/6 or newer).
  • Use a wired connection for desktop PCs or gaming consoles when possible.
  • Reduce network congestion by limiting background updates or streaming on busy devices.
  1. Upgrade plan vs optimize:
  • If you consistently measure speeds well below your plan, consider upgrading your plan.
  • Before upgrading, optimize first: reposition router, switch to 5 GHz where possible, reduce interference, run Ethernet where feasible, and commissioning QoS if supported.
  • If you’re near the plan’s limit or need more devices, upgrading may be the simplest fix.
  1. Ethernet vs Wi‑Fi:
  • Ethernet typically provides the fastest, most stable speeds with lower latency.
  • Use Ethernet for desktops, gaming, workstations, and streaming devices that require consistent performance.
  • Wi‑Fi is convenient for mobile devices; upgrading to a higher‑quality router or mesh system can improve performance if you need wireless.
  1. Wi‑Fi optimization tips:
  • Place the router in a central, elevated location away from walls and metal objects.
  • Use 5 GHz band for devices close to the router; if far away, 2.4 GHz may cover more distance but slower.
  • Change channels to avoid interference (auto or choose a less congested channel; 1/6/11 in 2.4 GHz).
  • Enable or adjust beamforming (if supported) and consider enabling QoS for prioritizing important devices/services.
  • If you have many devices, consider a newer router or a mesh system.
  1. Interference and how to mitigate:
  • Common culprits: neighbor Wi‑Fi networks, microwaves, Bluetooth devices, cordless phones.
  • Mitigation: switch to less congested channels, use 5 GHz when possible, physically separate router from potential interference sources.
  • If interference persists, upgrading to a higher‑quality router or a mesh system can help by using better channels and wider coverage.
  1. When to consider mesh networks or a new router:
  • Mesh network is useful when you have a large home or multiple floors with dead spots and you want seamless roaming.
  • A single high‑quality router may suffice for small to medium homes.
  • If your router is several years old and you’re not getting consistent performance, upgrading to a modern AX (Wi‑Fi 6) router or mesh system can significantly improve speed and coverage.
  1. Do all devices affect each other’s speeds?
  • They share the available bandwidth, but wired devices typically don’t suffer from wireless congestion as much as other wireless devices.
  • Many devices can cause congestion if they perform background tasks (updates, cloud backups, streaming).
  • If many devices are streaming, gaming, or downloading simultaneously, overall speeds can drop; using QoS or scheduling heavy tasks can help.
  1. Software or security steps that can improve speed:
  • Ensure devices are free of malware or crypto mining/crypto miners that can consume bandwidth.
  • Disable unnecessary VPNs or proxies during speed tests to measure true network speed.
  • Update device drivers and firmware for network adapters.
  • Temporarily disable bandwidth-heavy background tasks while testing or using the network for critical work.

If you want, I can tailor a step-by-step checklist for your specific setup (home size, current equipment, and whether you mostly use wired or wireless).