10 Tips For Faster Internet Speeds | T-Mobile Home Internet

So, what are the major culprits behind that frustratingly slow internet ? Is it your equipment? Is it a computer virus? Or do you just need a new home internet provider? While there's not a one-size-fits-all answer, here are 10 tips that may help you get the speed you need.

1. Start with your router.

One of the first ways to ensure you’re getting the fastest internet speeds possible is also the easiest: Turn your router off and turn it back on again. In order to help eliminate bugs, simply restart your system by unplugging your modem and router, waiting a minute, and then plugging them back in again to see if that improves internet speeds. Make sure all lights on the back are flashing and then check speeds again. Sounds almost too simple, but that’s actually the first thing your internet service provider will suggest. Even if you’re not noticing any issues with your router, resetting it once a month could help reset your connection, resulting in faster internet speeds. However, if you’ve noticed that your router is overheating, or your Wi-Fi sometimes disappears only to mysteriously reappear later, it might be time for a new router. Also, if your router doesn’t support newer devices, it’s time to upgrade.

2. Change your router location.

Sometimes routers just aren’t in a good physical location to offer support for an entire home. In order to deliver connectivity to devices across a large physical location, you may need to move it around until you find a good spot. If that’s not possible and there are a few areas that simply do not get a good signal, look into buying a Wi-Fi extender. These relatively cost-effective devices connect to and then re-broadcast your Wi-Fi signal over a larger area than most home routers cover. If you have T-Mobile Home Internet, you’ll know exactly where to get the best signal. Simply download the app and it’ll walk you through the process.

3. Know your data cap.

Did you know that your home internet plan can sometimes include a data cap, just like a mobile phone plan? Thanks to the rise of online streaming and a growing number of connected home devices, the amount of data the average person uses is on the rise. When home internet users exceed caps, the result could be overage fees and throttled internet speeds. Check your bill and your plan: faster internet speeds could be a matter of finding a plan with enough data.

4. Test your speed.

Likewise, if you're noticing lag in your games or more frequent buffering for streaming video, it’s possible you’re not actually getting the speeds required for a seamless connection. Internet speed is measured in megabits per second (Mbps), which marks the amount of time it takes for data to make the roundtrip from devices to server and back again. You can check your actual internet speeds using one of the many free speed tools available online.

5. Check your browser.

Sometimes what we think of as "slow internet" is actually a browser problem. One hidden culprit behind slow loading websites and tasks that seem to take forever is sometimes a surplus of hidden extensions. Figure out how many add-ons, such as plug-ins and extensions, you can live without, and you might be surprised by how quickly things seem to move. In addition, having too many tabs open at once can also slow things down. Instead of keeping tabs open for future reading, try downloading a "read it later" service to keep track of news stories, recipes, etc. without slowing down your browser. You can also periodically uninstall and reinstall your browser in order to make sure you’re working with the most up-to-date version.

6. Update your antivirus software.

One scary cause of slow internet could be viruses or malware. If you don’t currently have antivirus- or malware-detecting software installed on your devices, you should definitely consider it. If you do already have protection, make sure you have the latest version, then set it to scan on a regular basis. If you do find that malware or viruses are the culprit, take your device to an expert to remove them.

7. Clear your cache.

If you’ve ever had an ad for a bathroom rug you searched for once chase you around the internet for weeks, then you know what a cookie is. Cookies and other tracking devices use little bits of information you’ve left as you’ve browsed the internet to serve you ads for related products. But too many of those cookies and trackers can slow down your browsing experience. While it doesn’t necessarily result in faster internet speeds, adopting a plugin that can clear your cache in one click may improve speeds on your device.

8. Manage device connections.

Every device in your home takes up bandwidth, so if you've got smartphones, tablets, laptops, smart TVs, and gaming consoles all running at once, it can slow things down. Try disconnecting a few devices when you're not using them, or make sure the important ones (like the one you're streaming on) get priority. You can do this by enabling the Quality of Service (QoS) setting on your router, which lets you prioritize the "traffic." For example, if Netflix is important to you, you can give it priority. If you work and home and Zoom calls are the most important connection on your list, you can prioritize Zoom. Luckily, many modern routers come with a QoS feature.

9. Switch Wi-Fi bands (2.4GHz vs. 5GHz vs. 6GHz).

Did you know your router may offer different Wi-Fi bands? The 2.4GHz band covers a bigger area, but it can get crowded and tends to be slower. The 5GHz band is faster but has a shorter range. The new 6GHz band is the fastest but has the shortest range of all. If you’re really close to your router and have different band options, switch to 6GHz for the fastest speeds. But if you’re a little farther away, try 5GHz. If you’re very far away, then the 2.4GHz band might give you more stable coverage.

10. Consider mesh or fiber internet.

If you can’t get a reliable wireless internet connection, fiber internet is a great alternative. Plugging directly into the router via ethernet cable could help fix issues like video game lag, smart TVs that are always buffering, or desktops and laptops that take centuries to download data. If you prefer a wireless connection but still need to improve connectivity, a mesh setup may be ideal. Instead of relying on a single router, mesh Wi-Fi uses many access points called "nodes" spread around your house to give you better coverage.

If you think your internet service provider (ISP) is the issue, it may be time to switch. If you live in a big or medium-sized city, you probably have several to choose from. Even apartment renters, once relegated to using whomever their landlord forced upon them, now have a say in choosing their own providers, thanks to an FCC rule that kicked-in a few years ago.

T-Mobile is America’s fastest growing Home Internet provider. Check to see if it’s available in your area and then try it free for 15 days to see if it works for you. Learn how you can also bundle and save when you combine Home Internet with a phone plan from T-Mobile.

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