Your Internet connection can seem slower from time to time – often, the cause is simply that a large number of people are trying to use the Internet at the same time as you. If you are finding that you’re getting this a lot, click on Slow Internet browsing or email and we’ll help you get the fastest speeds possible with your connection.
Here are some steps you can take to try and speed things up:
- Reboot your broadband router. Click here to find out how.
- Optimise your computer and optimise your web browser.
- Turn off file-sharing programs (also known as Peer to Peer software, or P2P). Examples of this kind of software are Napster, Kazaa, iMesh, eMule, bit torrents and BBC iPlayer. This type of software can consume a large chunk of your connection speed. Remember, too, that your broadband speed can only be as fast as the connection of the person you are downloading from.
- If you’re running a home network, connect your broadband device directly to one computer and recheck your speed to rule out local network problems.
- Make sure there are no devices nearby that might interfere with the signal. Devices can include digital cordless handsets, microwave ovens, mobile phones, Bluetooth-enabled devices, or even central heating timers.
- Note that we regulate the Internet speed of a small number of customers who download excessive amounts of data. This is so those few users aren’t slowing down the network for other customers, so it keeps everything fair. See Traffic Management FAQs for details.
- Advanced user? If you’re an advanced user comfortable with using Windows DOS commands, you can also try refreshing the Windows TCP/IP component. TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol) is used to send data between computers, however it can become damaged. Try running the netsh command to see if this solves the problem.
You can run it either in Windows XP or Windows Vista.
