When you’re staring at the buffering wheel, you might not think to blame your internet provider. As it turns out, there’s more than one suspect. It may be an old router. The location of your router may not be ideal. Simple fixes like upgrading to a mesh network (which also needs to be set up in place) or simply restarting your modem and router can resolve slowdowns.
But what to do if you’ve already tried these proven methods and your internet speed is still subpar? In that case, the problem may be you internet service provider Bandwidth throttling is intentional.
you read that correctly. Your ISP may be intentionally slowing down your Wi-Fi. The Federal Communications Commission has voted to reinstate net neutrality rules banning throttling in 2023, but the practice remains legal for now. moreover, 2019 Supreme Court Ruling In this case, the court declined to hear an appeal regarding net neutrality, but ISPs can still legally throttle the Internet in the United States.This means they can limit broadband You might be streaming more TV than you need to, or your connection to a website owned by a competitor may be slow.
One solution to slow Wi-Fi speeds (due to internet throttling) is a virtual private network. Basically, providers need to see your IP address in order to slow down your internet speed, and a good VPN protects that identity. However, this comes with some limitations and drawbacks. This is explained below. Learn how to tell if throttling is the culprit, and what you should do to fix unstable Wi-Fi if it is.
read more: My Home Internet Journey: What I Learned from Testing Wi-Fi and Ethernet Connections
Troubleshoot slow internet connections
Therefore, your Wi-Fi is probably slow and your service provider is throttling your connection. Before jumping to that conclusion, it’s important to go through the usual troubleshooting list first. Make sure your router is centrally located in your home, reposition your antennas, double-check your network security, and more. If your internet lag is due to your router, and the signal is too weak to reach every room in your house, consider purchasing a Wi-Fi extender to boost your connection.
If you’ve done everything on your laundry list and your Wi-Fi is still slow, move on to the next step.
Compare speeds with VPNs
Next, test your internet speed using a service like Fast.com or Speedtest.net. Compare the results to the same test with the VPN active. Since using a VPN slows down your speed significantly, your speed test should show a discrepancy where the speed with the VPN active is significantly slower than the speed with the VPN inactive. However, a VPN also hides the IP address that the provider uses to identify you.That’s why speed tests with VPNs Faster Your ISP may be subject to more throttling of your IP address than if you didn’t use a VPN.
Now, here’s the difficult part. Even if you find out that your provider is throttling your internet speed, there may not be much you can do. Many people in the US live in areas where their ISP is monopolized or exclusive, so they may not be able to find a better provider. However, here are some suggestions that you may find helpful.
- If you do If you have the option, consider switching to a better provider in your area. Not only could speed throttling be lifted, but you could end up with faster speeds and better deals. Check out our top picks for ISPs and high-speed ISPs in 2024.
- With a VPN, you can maintain more consistent speeds. A VPN can’t fix bad connections or slow service, but it can alleviate the throttling of bad ISPs.
- Call your provider and threaten to switch providers if they don’t stop throttling your internet. Although this may seem old-fashioned and does not guarantee lasting results, some providers are responding positively to such tactics.
If your provider doesn’t limit your bandwidth and your speeds are slower than expected, check out our suggestions on how to optimize your apartment’s Wi-Fi.
Bandwidth throttling FAQ
What is bandwidth throttling? Is it legal?
If you notice long buffering times when you try to stream your favorite TV shows, you may be experiencing bandwidth throttling. This happens when your ISP intentionally slows down your internet speed by controlling your bandwidth. Unfortunately, it’s still legal and common. However, the FCC has voted to move forward with net neutrality rules that would regulate ISPs and prohibit throttling in late 2023. Past efforts also occurred when President Joe Biden signed an executive order banning bandwidth throttling in 2021.
Why does my ISP limit my bandwidth?
There’s no exact answer to why ISPs restrict connections for some users and not others. If your network is congested and you’re using a lot of internet bandwidth, your provider may slow down your service to make you pay more for data. Or, if you have a data cap and notice lags in your connection, your ISP may be restricting your service as you near the end of your cap.
How can I find out if my ISP is restricting my bandwidth?
If you check your internet speed through an Ethernet connection and the results don’t improve, you might want to check with your provider to see if there is a problem. Using a simple connection speed test, such as the one by M-Lab, you can check whether your ISP is providing consistent performance regardless of the content you’re accessing.
How can I prevent my ISP from throttling my bandwidth?
A VPN (Virtual Private Network) is a solution that helps you deal with internet throttling. Because a VPN can hide your identity, your provider can’t use your IP address to slow your connection, allowing you to maintain more consistent speeds. Besides using a VPN, consider switching to a new provider for faster speeds and possibly better rates.
