In today's business world, slow internet connectivity is a major hindrance to efficiency and productivity. Whether you are a smaller start-up or an established company, slow internet speed leads to greater frustration and the loss of better opportunities. Our guide today is here to help you with troubleshooting while turbocharging your internet connectivity.

Check Your Internet Speed

The initial step in troubleshooting your slow business internet is to determine the recent internet speed. Use the online speed testing tool for measuring the upload and download speeds. The baseline can aid you in identifying whether the internet is performing at par or below your expectations.

How would you test your network speed?

• Use Online Speed Testing Tools: Several online tools are there to help measure your internet speed. Numerous websites offer easy-to-use interfaces for conducting your internet speed tests. Just visit the website and click on the start button with the tools that help with the analysis of the downloading and uploading speeds.
• Consider Multiple Testing Sites: Whenever these online speed testing tools are of greater convenience, it is advantageous to test the internet speed using several websites. It would ensure you get accuracy in your results and offer an extensive view of the performance of the connection.
• Use Mobile Apps: Numerous speed testing tools are offering mobile apps to help you test the internet speed on your tablets and smartphones. You have to download the best speed testing ad right from the app store of the device and run the tests on both the mobile data and WiFi, evaluating the varied features of your connection.‍
• Check with Your ISP: A few of the internet service providers are offering their own set of speed testing tools on their websites. Inspect your ISP to see if they offer a dedicated speed testing service, as it can, at times, offer accurate results distinctive to your connection.
• Run Speed Tests at Different Times: The speed of the internet varies on the basis of the time of the day due to a peak in usage hours. Try running your speed tests across different times, mainly in peak business hours, identifying if the slow internet has a greater consistency or is distinctive to specific times.
• Use Command Line Tools: You can even use the command line tools to assess the latency of your network and identify the possible problems for a more technical approach. These are the tools offering key insights into the time it takes for the data to travel between the server and your device.
• Check for Consistency: Consistency is the main key whenever you are evaluating your internet speed. Try running several tests over time, ensuring that the connection is maintaining a stable speed. The inconsistency in the results would indicate the intermittent issues that require your focus.
• Consider Speed Testing Hardware: You can even invest in dedicated speed testing hardware if you wish for a more thorough network analysis. These devices are specifically designed to offer detailed insights into the performance of the internet connection, which is valuable for your business with a distinctive need for speed.
• Run Internal Network Tests: Along with the external speed tests, it is vital to conduct internet network tests for the evaluation of the speed between the devices under your local network. It helps identify when the slowdown is specific to external internet traffic or when there are issues with your business network.
• Use Browser Extensions: A couple of web browsers have extensions that enable you to run speed tests right from your browser. These extensions are convenient for instant assessments without the requirement to visit any external websites.

Verify Network Hardware

Faulty or outdated network hardware is the common culprit for the slower internet speed. Inspect the modem, router, and other networking equipment for the issues. Ensure that your devices use the latest firmware, and if the hardware you have selected is outdated you, you need to consider upgrading to the efficient and new models.

Examine Network Traffic

The heavier network traffic would significantly lead to sluggish internet speeds. Ensure to identify the distinctive times of the day whenever the internet is slower since it would indicate the rise during the times of use. Consider the implementation of the network management tools that emphasize the main business applications while reducing non-essential traffic, especially during peak hours.

Secure Your Network

Your network might get jammed by your unwanted guests, which consumes the bandwidth while slowing down the internet connectivity. Ensure that the WiFi network is mainly password protected and uses robust encryption protocols. The regular updating of the passwords prevents unauthorized access.

Resetting Your Network Equipment

Whenever your business internet is slowing down or undergoing issues with connectivity, then one of the most effective and simplest troubleshooting steps involved here is to reset the network equipment. The process would aid you in clearing the temporary glitches, refreshing the connections, and getting your network back on track.

• Identify Network Equipment: Before you dive right into the reset process, ensure of identify the network equipment you are having. It generally involves the router, modern, and any other additional networking devices. Take note of the make and model on every device, while the reset process often varies.
• Understand the Reset Types: When you come to the network equipment, there are generally two forms of resets: the hard and soft reset. The soft reset generally involves the restart made to the device, while the hard reset would often restore the device to its factory settings. The soft reset is often enough to resolve common issues; however, the hard reset is required for stubborn issues.
• Soft Reset: Power off your modem and router to perform the soft reset. Try waiting for around 10-15 seconds, as you should power them back on. It would enable the devices to restart and establish new connections. The soft resets are quick and effective to help resolve the smaller connectivity issues.
• Hard Reset: If the soft reset can never resolve any issues, it would need a hard reset. It would involve pressing down on the reset button on your device, generally located at the back or the bottom. Make use of the smaller pointed objects like the paperclip for pressing and holding the reset button for around ten to fifteen seconds. Stay cautious since a hard reset will erase the customized settings on your device.
• Document Settings Before Resetting: Try documenting your current setting before you perform a hard reset. Take note of the WiFi passwords, custom network configurations, and the distinctive settings that you have adjusted onto your devices. The information is essential to help reconfigure your network right after the reset.
• Power Cycling: Power cycling the network equipment is effective along with the traditional reset. Try turning off the power to the modem and router while disconnecting them from the power source while you wait for around 30 seconds. Also, reconnect the devices to power and turn them back on. It would aid in clearing the lingering issues present on the network.
• Check for Firmware Updates: Try checking the firmware for the updates for the router and modem after the reset is done. The updated firmware includes the improvements and bug fixes that enhance the performance of the device. Follow the instructions of the manufacturer for updating the firmware as required.
• Monitor for Stability: After the reset, try monitoring the network for stability. Check whether the connectivity issues are persisting and whether the internet speed has improved. If the issue is persistent, consider reaching out to your internet service provider for more help.
• Reconfigure Custom Settings: Try reconfiguring your network setting using the best documentation you have prepared for earlier on. It would include the creation of WiFi passwords, names for the network, and the distinctive configurations needed for the business operations.

Optimize Browser and Devices

At times, the issues do not lie whenever it comes to the internet connection but, instead, with the devices or the web browsers. Try clearing down the cache for the browser, update the browser to the latest version, and ensure that the devices are free of any malware or unrequired background processes that become hogging resources.

Evaluate Service Plan

Ensure a review of the internet service plan to assess and finalize that it meets your unique business requirements. If you have experienced the right growth or the greater demands, then it is time to upgrade to high-speed plans. Get in touch with your service provider to discuss the options available and ensure that you get the best possible services for your business.

Conduct a Line Test

Connect with your ISP to conduct the line test. It will aid you in identifying potential issues with the physical connections, like faulty cables or signal interferences. The professional line test will often target the source of the issues while guiding you to resolve them effectively.

Troubleshooting and Solutions for Ethernet Cable Issues

The ethernet cables serve as the backbone for numerous business networks, offering high-speed and reliable connectivity. However, the issues with the Ethernet cables would often disrupt your network while impacting productivity.

• Check Cable Connections: The easiest and the most often-overlooked solution is to inspect the physical connections. Ensure that your ethernet cable is plugged in securely in both your devices and the networking equipment. The loose connection would often lead to intermittent issues with connectivity.
• Inspect Cable Integrity: Check out the whole length of the ethernet cable for visible signs of damage like bends, cuts, or kinks. The physical damage would often compromise the performance of the cable. If you locate any issues, then try considering replacing the cable with a new one.
• Avoid Cable Interference: Ethernet cables are often susceptible to interferences through other electronic devices, power cables, or fluorescent lights. Keep your ethernet cables away from the interference sources and avoid running them parallel to the power cables. Cross the ethernet cables right at a 90-degree angle to the power cables, reducing the interference.
• Test with Known Good Cables: If you wish to know the possible issues that are with the cable you, you need to test with the known good cables. Replace the cables with issues that are known to be in working condition. If the issues persist, then it would indicate the issues with the networking device or the equipment.
• Use Quality Cables: Invest in high-quality Ethernet cables. Try investing in the top-quality Ethernet cables. The quality of the cable, connectors, and shielding can affect the performance. There are cables known for better resistance towards interference and higher rates of data transfers compared to the older cables.
• Replace Faulty Connectors: Connectors like the RJ45 often wear out with time. If you notice any intermittent connectivity or packet loss of data, then try to examine the connectors for signs of damage or wear. Replace the faulty connectors with your new ones, ensuring reliable connections.
• Secure Cable Management: Proper management of the cable is important for the prevention of stress on the connectors. Try avoiding the sharp bends and twists in the cable and make use of the cable clips or the ties to secure the cable in an organized and neat way—the stresses on the cable lead to issues with the connectivity.
• Update Network Drivers: The incompatible or outdated network drivers present on your devices often contribute to Ethernet connectivity issues. Ensure that these drivers are updated by checking out the website of the manufacturer for the latest versions.
• Utilize Cable Testers: If you have access to a cable tester, you can use it to diagnose cable issues. The cable tester would identify continuity issues, shorts, and other issues within the cable. The tool is specifically beneficial for rapid testing of the source of the problem.

Opt for a Wired Connection

Although WiFi offers better convenience, a wired Ethernet connection would often offer greater stability and rapid connection. Consider connecting the important devices right to the router with the help of the Ethernet cables, mainly for the workstation or the devices that need consistent access to higher speeds. It would reduce signal interference, ensuring a reliable connection.

Evaluate Web Hosting Services

If your business depends mainly on online services or operating a website, then the speed of the hosting provider affects the overall performance of the internet. Assess your recent web hosting plan while you consider upgrading the rapid hosting service. An appropriately optimized and responsive website often contributes to smoother online experiences for both customers and their employees.

Implement Content Delivery Networks (CDNs)

For businesses dealing with an online presence, the CDNs would notably enhance the website loading times. The CDNs would distribute the content of the website across several servers globally, reduce the distance data needed for traveling, and pace up the access for the users. Consider integrating the CDN into the website infrastructure for rapid and higher efficiency in the delivery of content.

Boost Your Connectivity Today!

Slow business internet connectivity often impedes your productivity and hinders the growth of your company. When you follow the troubleshooting steps, we have shared today can help you address and identify the main cause of internet worries. It might involve upgrading the hardware, optimizing the settings, or consulting with ISPs like Metro Wireless while taking proactive measures to help in getting back on track for success.

So, if the slower internet speed is putting brakes on your business success, then explore the guide we have shared for revitalizing the speed of your internet. Try maximizing the efficiencies while reducing all sorts of frustration while transforming your connectivity. Contact our experts today!