Internet Connection
Picture this: You have been delaying doing your assignment for two days now. The deadline for the assignment is in an hour. You can’t procrastinate anymore and you have to do it no matter what! So, you turn on your laptop and get to work. Except, the websites you select are taking too long to load. You don’t have any time and you have to do this assignment. So, you pick up your phone and decide to open the websites from there, but you run into the same issue! It starts the load and eventually, you need to try again!
This kind of situation is extremely infuriating and we completely understand why. You pay good money to get good internet services and yet, you have to face issues like this. It’s not fair! You’re right, it’s not. But, there is a way to fix this within a few minutes only and without calling any technician or customer support for your ISP. As the title of this article suggests, we will be discussing a few tips and tricks to fix your slow CenturyLink internet connection, but not before talking about the possible reasons for the slow speed of your internet.
CenturyLink falls in the top 5 category serving mainly DSL and Fiber internet services in the U.S. It is available in 36 states and serves both, residential customers and businesses. Its strength is its availability mostly in rural America, however, it is also making a name for itself in urban and suburban communities. After a brief about CenturyLink, let’s move on to the reasons for your internet being slow.
Why Is My CenturyLink Internet Slow?
You should know that there is no one reason why an internet connection is slow. There can be multiple reasons and we are going to go through some of the most common ones.
- Check modem and router: The first thing to do when facing internet issues is to check your modem and router. If you have a device that is a modem, router hybrid, then you should check that too. It could be their location and the distance that you have from them. If your modem and router are located in a part of the house that is not frequented and is kind of isolated from the rest of the house, then that is the issue. Your router and modem need to be placed in a common part of the house like the living room. You’ll also have to make sure that it is in an open space as walls, ceiling, and floor are all blockages for Wi-Fi signals.
- Check the network and password settings: Often time, the problem is not with the internet, rather it is with the network and/or password. If you have selected an open network for your Wi-Fi, it means that anyone can use the Wi-Fi as long as they’re within range. This means your neighbors could probably be benefitting from your internet without you knowing. The more the number of devices connected to the internet, the more the bandwidth is used. This causes the internet to be slow once you’ve hit your bandwidth limit. So, to avoid this, set up a password and don’t choose an open network. But the problem with passwords is that they can be cracked if they’re too simplified. For example, a password like “12345” or “abcde” is not hard to figure out even for a child. So, be sure that you are keeping a secure password that is hard to crack.
- Number of devices connected to the internet: How many devices are you using? How many members of the family and how many devices does each member use? Do you have any smart devices at home that are using the internet 24/7? You need to answer these questions to determine how much internet you have and how much is being used. According to your package, there are a set number of devices that can be connected to the internet and used. Be sure to compare the two and adjust accordingly.
- Full browser history: This is a very common reason for the internet being slow, however, not many people know or realize this. Your browsing history uses up bandwidth and that causes internet speeds to fall. The reason for this is that the browser is constantly collecting your data, which is used by marketers to target some ads and track your data.
- Not enough bandwidth: Maybe there is no issue with the modem, router, network, or any other thing. Maybe the issue is just that you don’t have enough bandwidth to keep up with your demands and requirements. In that case, the only option you’ll have is to determine the speed you actually want and talk to your ISP about it.
So, there we are! These are the reasons why your CenturyLink internet seems to be underperforming. If you still think that these are not the problems that are causing your internet to slow down, then maybe there is a problem with your computer/laptop/phone, instead of with your internet. It could be that there is a virus causing your computer to slow down or that the processor is performing slower than usual. One way to know for sure whether it is an internet problem or a computer problem is by observing the time taken for a file to open or a website to load.
Click on a file and see how long it takes for your computer to respond. On the other hand, search for something on an online browser and see how long it takes for the website/webpage to load. Whichever is slower than normal is the one with the problem. If your file is opening slower, the computer is slow, and if the website is loading slower than usual, the internet is the problem.
Also Read https://postmaniac.com/what-is-anthropology/
Tips To Improve CenturyLink Internet Speed
So, now that you’ve identified that your internet has an issue, the next step is to know how to fix it. Here are some tips and tricks that you can do to fix your internet before calling up your service provider if the problem prevails.
- Write up a list of the devices: To be perfectly sure, it is recommended that you make a list of all the devices using the internet in your home. That includes any smart devices like Alexa, smart TV, and more. Once you do have the complete list, the next thing you can do is to see if your current internet plan is compatible with the number of devices connected and using the internet. Once you’ve confirmed the number of devices that can connect and use the internet, you can reduce the number of connected devices to take full advantage of the internet.
- Adjust router’s position: Like mentioned before, you need to put your router in a big open space that is commonly used by everyone like the living room. This will enable everyone to get the internet signals easily and not face connectivity issues.
- Use an Ethernet cable: If you are a gamer or you are working from home, you need a reliable internet connection without any interruptions. No matter which internet plan you get and how expensive it is, the truth of the matter is that sometimes, the internet connection can be interrupted due to uncontrollable circumstances. So, in that case, it is wiser to use an Ethernet cable that connects to your laptop or computer. This way, you can avoid interruptions and have a secure internet connection.
- Use a Wi-Fi extender: A Wi-Fi extender works to increase the range of the Wi-Fi signals so that everyone in the house can stay connected to the internet. This way, you will not experience slow internet in any part of the house.
- Upgrade your internet plan: If you feel like your internet plan is not something that is suitable for you anymore and you would like higher speeds, then the only solution is to talk to your ISP and upgrade your internet plan.
The Final Note
So, that wraps up our topic on how to speed up your internet connection. Now, you know how to identify a problem and what tips and tricks to use to solve that problem. If your problem prevails after using the tips and tricks, then the only other solution is to call up your ISP or a technician and have them solve the issue. If you want to subscribe to and know more about CenturyLink internet plans, you can do so on BuyTVInternetPhone! Just add your ZIP code and we’ll connect you with the right ISP and the right plan!