How to test your broadband speed in three simple steps

Broadband speed tests are quick, at-home checks to measure how fast your internet connection is. They can be done from any room in your home and take just a few seconds to complete, all through a simple online test that gives you your results in seconds.

Broadband speed tests help you to see how fast and responsive your internet is, and whether any improvements need to be made to make your connection faster.

By running regular broadband speed tests, you can identify any potential drops in performance before they become more of a hassle. They're also a great way to keep an eye on any weak WiFi zones in your home, any drops in performance at different times of day, lag when you’re gaming, or lot of buffering when streaming films and tv shows.

Running an internet speed test is a piece of cake! It takes a few clicks to complete and can be done from any device you like.

Here's what you need to do in 3 easy steps:

Before you start the test, be sure any VPNs you’re using are switched off to get an accurate reading of what speed you've got. It's also worth closing any background apps or downloads running on your device. That way your results will show the speed you'll usually have when you're doing your day-to-day online activities.

Ready to test your speed? Head over to our broadband speed test and get your download, upload, and latency speeds instantly.

That depends if you're with us! No matter who you're with, you can can use our broadband speed test to check the download speed, upload speed, and latency on your device. But if you've got a Virgin Media Hub at home, our test will also measure your jitter and packet loss too, and the results will be taken both from your device and directly from your Hub.

Here's a breakdown of everything the broadband speed test shows you:

Download speed

This is the measure of how fast something travels to your device from the internet. Measured in megabits per second (Mbps), the higher the Mbps number, the faster and smoother your internet experience will be. Download speed is important for streaming films and tv, downloading files and browsing the web.

Upload speed

The opposite of download speed, this is the measure of how long it takes to send things to the internet from your device. This is also measured using Mbps, and you want a high number here as well. Fast upload speeds are crucial for taking video calls for leisure or business, gaming online or posting on social media.

Latency

Measured in milliseconds (ms), latency is the measure of how fast information travels from your device to the internet, and then back again. Lower latency means you get a response quickly from your interaction online.

If you've got Virgin Media at home

Jitter

Jitter measures how much your latency bounces around, which is also measured in ms. Lower ms means your internet connection remains smooth and stable. Less jitter means smoother gaming experiences, clear video calls and minimal buffering while streaming.  You’ll only get your jitter on our test if you’re with us and have got a Virgin Media Hub at home.

Packet Loss

Packets are chunks of data and packet loss is when these chunks of data don’t make it to your device. You want as low a number as possible, zero is also preferred. High packet loss can result in an unreliable internet connection, which could cause glitching while gaming and freezing on video calls. You’ll only get packet loss on our test if you’re with us and have got a Virgin Media Hub at home.

If your broadband feels slower than usual, don’t worry – there are a few easy things you can do to give it a boost. Sometimes, slow speeds aren’t caused by your internet provider at all, but by things inside your home, like where your Hub is placed, how many devices are connected, or even whether your router just needs a quick restart.

Here's some quick tips worth giving a go:

1. Look at the location of your router

The position of your router makes a big difference to your WiFi speed. If it’s hidden behind furniture, placed on the floor, or surrounded by other electronic devices, the signal can get blocked or weakened. That's because obstacles can interfere with the WiFi waves, making it harder for the signal to reach every room.

Pro Tip: Put your router in a central, open area of your home, ideally somewhere high up, like on a table or shelf. This helps the WiFi signal spread evenly throughout your house, so every room gets a stronger connection.

2. Restart your router

It might sound like a simple trick, but restarting your router can sometimes make a big difference to your internet speed. Turning it off and on again clears out any temporary glitches or software issues that may be slowing down your connection. It also gives your router a chance to reconnect to the best WiFi channel available in your area.

Pro Tip: If you've got a Virgin Media Hub, turn it off, wait at least 30 seconds, and then switch it back on. This pause gives the device time to reset properly. If you find yourself restarting it often, that could be a sign that your broadband needs upgrading.

3. Use a Wired Connection

WiFi is convenient, but it can be affected by distance and interference. For the fastest connection (and the most accurate speed test results) plug your laptop, PC or games console directly into the router with an Ethernet cable. This type of wired connection cuts out most interference and provides a stable, consistent link to your internet.

Pro Tip: Whenever possible, connect your main devices (like your desktop PC, gaming console, or smart TV) using an Ethernet cable. You’ll notice fewer dropouts, smoother streaming, and faster overall speeds.

4. Use WiFi Booster if you need one

If there are rooms in your home where WiFi never seems to reach, WiFi boosters can help. These small devices extend your signal by creating a “mesh network,” which strengthens coverage in hard-to-reach spots. They’re especially useful for larger homes or places with thick walls that block the signal.

Pro Tip: Mesh WiFi systems are perfect for families, gamers, or anyone working from home. They help eliminate dead zones and provide a stronger, more reliable internet connection everywhere – even in the attic or garden.

5. Check for Background Apps and Devices

Sometimes your internet slows down because too many devices are using it at the same time. Phones, tablets, TVs, and smart devices all compete for bandwidth – and background apps like cloud backups or automatic updates can quietly eat up your speed.

Pro Tip: Before running a speed test, close any unnecessary apps or browser tabs and pause downloads or streaming. You can also disconnect devices you’re not currently using. This gives your test (and your connection) the best chance to show your true broadband speed.

Still getting slow speeds on your speed test? It might be time to upgrade to a faster broadband speed to get those ultrafast speeds you're after.

At Virgin Media, we’ve got a range of superfast and ultrafast broadband deals with speeds to suit every home – from 100 Mbps to 1Gbps and beyond.

Not sure what you can get? Use our helpful broadband postcode checker to see all of the broadband deals that are available in your area.