There’s nothing worse than a slow Wi-Fi connection. Your videos won’t stream, your webpages won’t load, your FaceTime calls won’t go through, all while your frustration builds. Why do you pay monthly for a strong Wi-Fi signal when you can’t even seem to get what you paid for? Thankfully, there is a solution — knowing how to check Wi-Fi speed. This essential skill helps you manage your Wi-Fi connection with ease. All you need to know is how to do it.
Why Check Wi-Fi Speed?
Knowing how to check your Wi-Fi speed is an essential skill for anyone with an Internet plan. (In other words, just about everybody.) This quick test allows you to ensure a fast and stable internet connection, diagnose connectivity problems, and optimize your Wi-Fi network’s performance. By understanding your speed, you can take appropriate actions to boost your online speeds, troubleshoot connection issues, and make the most of your internet connection overall. Here’s why it matters.
- Extends Wi-Fi range coverage up to 1000 sq. ft.
- Connects as many as 15 devices
- Performance up to 750Mbps
- Universally compatible with any Wi-Fi router, gateway, or modem
- Wired 10/100M Ethernet port
- Support for WEP and WPA/WPA2 wireless security protocols
Gauging Your Connection
Checking your Wi-Fi speed is a surefire way to make sure you’re getting the fastest and most reliable internet connection possible. Conducting a simple speed test allows you to gauge download and upload speeds, helping you stay informed about your network’s capabilities. With fast and stable connections, web pages load more rapidly, videos stream with less buffering, and online games run more smoothly.
Diagnosing Problems
Another reason to check your Wi-Fi speed is to troubleshoot connectivity problems. If you’re experiencing frequent disconnections, slow loading times, or general sluggishness while using the Internet, then measuring your Wi-Fi speed can help identify the root cause. By comparing your speed test results with the speed your Internet service provider promised, you can determine if the issue lies with your Wi-Fi network or the Internet connection itself.
Optimizing Performance
Checking your Wi-Fi speed also helps you optimize your network’s performance. Different activities, such as streaming high-definition videos, online gaming, or file downloads, require various levels of bandwidth. By knowing your Wi-Fi speed, you can adjust your usage accordingly to prevent lag or buffering issues. It’s all part of managing your network more efficiently and ensuring a seamless online experience for all connected devices on your Wi-Fi.
How to Check Your Wi-Fi Speed
Whether you’re curious about your current Wi-Fi speed, are experiencing slow Internet, or simply want to optimize your Wi-Fi network’s performance, this step-by-step guide is exactly what you need to find a solution. No matter if you’re on a desktop or mobile browser, you can learn how to check Wi-Fi speed with the steps and photos below.
Step One: Search for Speed Test
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First, search “speed test” via your search engine of choice. Here, we’ve used Google. They conveniently built their speed test right into the results page. It’s also one of the fastest free speed tests around.
Step Two: Click Run Speed Test
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After searching “speed test,” Google will present its Internet speed test at the top of the page. As one of the fastest and most efficient available, the entire test takes less than 30 seconds and as little as 40MB in all. Just click “Run Speed Test” to get your results.
Step Three: Observe Test Results
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After you check your Wi-Fi speed, observe your results in the pop-up box. Google will tell you your download speed, your upload speed, your latency, and your network server. If your speeds are fast, then Google will tell you all it thinks your network can handle. If your speeds are slow, then Google’s Internet speed test will also make recommendations for boosting your speed.
To Review
- Search Google for a speed test.
- Click the “Run Speed Test” button on the search results page.
- Take note of your download and upload speeds on the test results page, then act accordingly.
To see exactly how to open and run an internet speed test then take a look at the video below.
The image featured at the top of this post is ©Ground Picture/Shutterstock.com.
