Internet slower than your plan? How to test it

Your internet feels slow, but the number on your plan and the speed you see on a device do not always match. Wi-Fi, other devices using the connection, and the time of day can all affect a test.

Use the Speed Test to measure download speed, upload speed, ping, and jitter. Then compare Wi-Fi with a wired connection, if you can, to narrow down where the slowdown is happening.

Test your internet speed

1. Open the Speed Test. Keep the page open while it measures your connection. The test exchanges test data with our server to measure speed.
2. For a first result, use the connection the way you normally do. Pause video calls, streaming, large downloads, cloud backups, and game downloads on other devices, since they can use the same connection.
3. Run the test three times, about a minute apart. Write down download speed, upload speed, ping, and jitter for each run. Speeds are usually shown in Mbps, or megabits per second.
4. If possible, connect a computer to your router with an Ethernet cable and repeat the tests. Plug into the router, not a Wi-Fi extender, and keep other internet use paused.
5. Compare the results with the download and upload speeds in your internet plan. If the problem happens mostly at busy times, repeat the test at a quieter time too.

A single run is only a snapshot. A few results under similar conditions are more useful, especially if the numbers change from one test to the next.

What the results mean

Download speed is low, but upload is close to your plan

Downloads include web pages, video, and game updates. A low download result can come from weak or busy Wi-Fi, other devices using the connection, or a problem with your internet service. Compare Wi-Fi with Ethernet before deciding which is more likely.

Both download and upload are low on Wi-Fi

The wireless connection may be weak or crowded, particularly if you are far from the router or behind several walls. If Ethernet gives a much higher result in the same room and at the same time, your internet plan is less likely to be the cause.

Both speeds are low over Ethernet on more than one device

This points away from a single device or a Wi-Fi problem. Check that your plan includes the speeds you expect, then restart the modem and router and test again. If results stay low, contact your internet provider with the times and wired test results.

Speed is close to your plan, but ping or jitter is high

Ping is the time a small request takes to get a response. Jitter is how much that response time varies. High or inconsistent results can make calls, games, and remote work feel laggy even when download speed looks good. A speed test result does not identify the exact cause, but repeated high readings are useful evidence when you troubleshoot.

The results vary a lot between runs

Changing results can point to congestion, Wi-Fi interference, or other devices briefly using the connection. If the wired results are also inconsistent when other internet use is paused, save the readings and tell your provider how and when you tested.

How to improve a slow result

1. Pause other internet use. Stop large downloads, streaming, video calls, and cloud backups on every device you can. Run the test again to see whether shared use was taking up the available speed.
2. Test near the router. Repeat the Wi-Fi test a few feet from the router. If it improves, distance, walls, or interference may be affecting the signal. On Windows 11, check the connection under Settings › Network & internet › Wi-Fi. On macOS, use System Settings › Wi-Fi. On iPhone, open Settings › Wi-Fi. On Android, open Settings › Network & internet › Internet, though the wording can vary by phone.
3. Try the faster Wi-Fi band. If your router offers separate network names, connect to its 5 GHz or 6 GHz network while near the router. These bands can be faster nearby, but may cover less distance than 2.4 GHz. Your router's app or instructions can show which network is which.
4. Restart the modem and router. Unplug both, wait about 30 seconds, then reconnect the modem first. Wait for it to come online before powering the router back on. Give the connection a few minutes to settle, then test again.
5. Check the Ethernet cable and port. Try another cable and a different port on the router. An older cable, a damaged connector, or a slower port can limit a wired result. If you use a USB network adapter, test with another adapter or computer if available.
6. Compare another device. Test a second computer or phone in the same location and on the same network. If only one device is slow, check for a pending system update, a busy background download, or a network setting on that device.
7. Contact your internet provider if wired tests remain low. Give them your plan's listed speeds, the test times, and results from more than one device. Ask whether there is an outage, a service issue, or a problem with the modem or line.

Why the test may not match the number on your plan

A plan may advertise a maximum or an expected speed, not a promise that every device will reach that number at every moment. The speed a device gets can be lower because of Wi-Fi conditions, network congestion, the router, or the device's own network hardware. Some plans also list download and upload speeds separately, so compare each result with the matching figure rather than treating them as one number.

For the clearest comparison, use Ethernet to the router, pause other network activity, and repeat the test. If you can only test over Wi-Fi, note your distance from the router and whether the result changes in another room.