How to Test Bandwidth Connection Speed

A typical Internet modem

There are numerous factors that can affect your Internet connection speed, including network problems with your Internet Service Provider (ISP), connection problems at your residence, network traffic on the site you are visiting, networking devices like routers or software conflicts on your computer. There are many free, easy-to-use resources online for testing your Internet speed, but it is a good idea to take a few steps to prepare your home network in order to get the most accurate speed test results.

Things You'll Need

• Internet connection
• Computer

Instructions

1. Reset all devices. If a modem, router or computer has been running uninterrupted for a long period of time, it is a good idea to reset the device before running any speed tests. Cable modems in particular that have been running for a long time can often begin to register T3 and T4 timeouts that can artificially slow down your connection even if the modem is running at the proper speed. To reset all devices, locate the power cords of your modem and your router and unplug them (if you use a modem/router combination, unplug that device) and leave them unplugged for a full 30 seconds. Plug them back in and restart your computer. If you use a router or other home networking device, it is necessary to bypass that device (if you only use a modem without a router, you can skip step 2).

2. Bypass any home networking devices. Any device that goes between your modem and your computer will naturally slow the connection down slightly, so in order to guarantee the accuracy of your Internet connection speed test, you will need to bypass these networking devices. Locate the ethernet cable coming out of the back of the modem and trace it to see what it is plugged in to; if it is plugged in to your computer there is nothing to bypass. If it is plugged in to any networking device (router, switch or hub) unplug it from that device and plug it in to one of the ethernet ports on your computer. Reset the modem in the manner described above and the connection is now ready to run speed tests.

3. Run speed tests. Access one of the speed test websites listed below. Most speed tests will ask you to specify which server you would like to test; choose one that is closest to your location to ensure accurate results. It is also a good idea to run at least three speed tests and take the average speed just to cover any intermittent variations that may occur between speed tests.

Tips & Warnings

• If you are concerned that your speed is not as fast as it should be, determine what Internet speed package you are paying for from your ISP and compare that to your speed test results. If the results are within range of the upload and download rates that your ISP guarantees and the speed still seems slow, you may want to query your ISP about a possible speed upgrade. If the speed tests indicate a slower speed than what your ISP guarantees, contact the technical support department of your ISP to troubleshoot your slow connection.

Resources

• Speedtest.net
• Speakeasy speed test
• List of other speedtests from DSL Reports