#Testing download speed Pc#

That’s why, whether you use a price comparison website or go directly to the provider, you should always put in your postcode, so you can compare the best broadband in your area. For example, while 97 per cent of the UK can achieve superfast download speeds of at least 30Mbps, the more remote areas that make up the remaining 3 per cent cannot. Your geographic location dictates which type of connection you can access, and therefore the download and upload speeds of your connection. There’s a long list of factors that’ll affect your broadband speed, some which will be taken into consideration by your personalised speed quote, and some that will not.

There’s a reason why you’ll receive a personalised minimum speed guarantee from your broadband provider. So you should make sure you take both into consideration when comparing broadband speeds, especially if you work from home or regularly participate in online gaming tournaments. It’s the more important number because, for most people, it’s what they will spend almost all of their time on the internet doing.Ĭertain activities, such as video calls and online gaming, require good upload as well as download speeds. It also explains why most of the download speeds advertised are significantly higher than the upload speeds. That’s why most broadband deals give far more weight to the average and minimum download speeds you can expect than they do to upload speeds. When using the internet, you will mainly be downloading, rather than uploading, data.

That not only includes posting pictures and videos on social media, but your side of a video call. Uploading, meanwhile, is when you transfer data from your own computer to the internet. But it could also be the data you download while streaming a video or song. That could be a specific file, like a document someone has sent you via an email. And if it isn’t, you might even be able to secure a refund, or leave without paying an exit fee.ĭownloading is when you take data from the internet. You’ll also be able to check whether your current provider is living up to your personalised minimum guaranteed speed. This can help inform whether or not you want to switch broadband deals. By checking the speed of your existing connection, you’ll have results you can compare against the average or minimum speeds promised by other providers. Carry out multiple tests throughout the day, in order to gauge how the speed of your broadband connection ebbs and flowsĬomparing broadband speeds is an important step in finding the best broadband provider for your household.Avoid testing during busy periods, such as the evening, when more people are using the internet in your area.

#Testing download speed Pc#

To see the fastest your connection can be, plug your PC or laptop directly into the router using an ethernet cable.

Log out of your VPN service while you conduct the test, as this will distort the results.

Make sure no-one in your household is uploading or downloading anything, whether that’s on a computer, or any other device connected to your wifi, such as a games console.

Some providers will have their own service, while there are also third-party sites such as Speedtest, Broadband Speed Test, and even Google.įor the best results when comparing broadband speeds, you should: There are a range of internet speed tests you can use online. Put simply, the higher each number is, the faster your broadband will be. Roots may be growing into the cable buried in your yard.By conducting a broadband speed test, you will be able to see the upload and download speeds of your connection. Speed may be slow because you’re using the internet at peak times, or your router may be outdated. You may even see disclaimers like “wireless speeds may vary” because Wi-Fi speeds are always inconsistent no matter what provider you choose-it’s just how Wi-Fi works.įor example, there may be issues with the provider’s service area, like faulty connections somewhere within the neighborhood. Internet providers will state “up to” when advertising maximum speeds because many variables can prevent you from hitting that top speed. What you see on the speed test is simply where your internet speeds are currently. Most of the time, your internet speeds will fluctuate within a small range of that max speed. The speeds promised by your internet plan are the max speeds you can expect. You likely won’t ever see the maximum speed advertised by your provider in the speed test, but your speed test results should come close. Why doesn’t my internet speed match my plan?