Your Internet connection is likely important to your everyday life in our connected world. It can help you enjoy your favourite hobbies or boost productivity for your business. Yet, it can be downright frustrating when your Internet connection isn’t living up to your expectations. Suddenly, you’re struggling to stay connected just as the best part of a movie is about to happen, or you’re just about to send that important report to your boss. When a poor Internet connection strikes, it may be time to investigate to determine what the cause is.

If you are an Execulink Internet customer, we recommend downloading our support app, Execulink Helps to assist with diagnosing Wi-Fi connection issues. You can conduct speed tests to validate your current Internet speeds, determine optimal placement of your devices, and find ways to improve speed issues! Many other providers provide similar support apps to help with your Internet and Wi-Fi concerns.

Here are 6 of the most common causes of a poor Internet connection:

1. Outdated Devices

Although it’s easy to get attached to your devices, the older they become, the less they can hold up alongside newer technologies. If you’re using outdated devices to run new programs online, it can cause them to operate slowly. Your old devices simply can’t handle processing these programs the way newer ones can. Using old devices can ultimately affect the way your Internet connection runs.

It may be time to upgrade your devices, whether your computer, mobile device or other Internet hardware such as your router. Your router feeds the connection to your devices and can make or break your Wi-Fi experience.

2. Too Many Devices

When all your household devices share one Internet connection, it can cause issues. As you connect more devices, your Internet needs to share its power with all of them. This often leads to poorer user experience and overloaded equipment. To help avoid this issue, you can start by disconnecting more of your devices when they’re not in use to determine if that helps strengthen your Internet connection.

3. Slow Internet Plan

Your Internet package will have a maximum speed outlined in the plan. Internet speeds are measured in megabits per second (Mbps) or gigabits per second (Gbps), referencing your connection’s total bandwidth. When you first purchased your Internet package, it may have worked for your needs, but your needs may change over time. Suddenly, your current Internet package may not have the speeds you need. Check to see if the speed advertised by your ISP aligns with the speed you’re experiencing. We have a handy tool you can use to measure your Internet speed here.

If your current speed isn’t working for your Internet needs, it may be time to upgrade your plan. Depending on the types of activities you use your Internet connection for, you may be ready for more bandwidth. For instance, if you’re using your Internet to stream the latest blockbuster movie or play games online, you likely need a more robust Internet plan. In contrast, if you primarily use your Internet to check emails and other light activities, your current plan may suit you.

4. Network Management Issues

Your network can be overburdened depending on the types of activities online and the number of devices connected. Since a connection can’t support everything at once – when you know you have a significant update or want to upload a large file, you can try to ensure that only this activity is occurring on your network. Tell other regular users of your network to avoid using the Internet at this specific time.

You can also create a guest network when visitors are using your Internet connection. It will help keep your personal network secure, but it will also avoid overburdening your network with your guests’ online activities.

5. Device Location

When you’re using your home Wi-Fi, you may notice that the closer you’re located to your router, the better the connection is. To optimize your connection, you may want to move your router to a place close to where you use all your devices.

Another consideration is whether your furniture or a wall is obstructing your Wi-Fi signals from your router to your device. You can move your furniture around to optimize your connection better. If you live in a one-story home, it’s optimal to position your router in the center of the house. Meanwhile, if you have a two-storey home, you’ll want to place it on the second floor since the connection flows downward.

If you find this seems to be the main cause of your poor Internet connection, you can invest in Wi-Fi extenders or add one or two of Execulink’s Mesh Wi-Fi Nodes. These handy devices will help extend your Wi-Fi radius to areas of your home experiencing poor Internet connections.

6. Spyware and Viruses

Both spyware and viruses can both negatively affect your Internet connection.

Spyware monitors your Internet activity and slows down your system by interfering with your browser. If there’s more than one spyware software operating simultaneously, it can substantially affect your Internet connection. You should regularly run an antispyware program to remove spyware from your system.

When a virus infects your computer, it will try to expand its hold on your device by creating copies of itself. Since it’s using your Internet connection to help multiply itself, the virus can cause slowdowns. You may not even know when a virus infects your computer, so it’s important to run anti-virus software frequently.

At Execulink, we provide high-speed Internet service across southern Ontario. We understand how important it is to our customers to receive reliable service without interruption. We offer 24/7 customer support to help get your Internet running as fast as possible. We have the extraordinary services your home or business needs to stay connected to what matters the most! Call us at 1-866-706-1942 today or visit our Internet page to find the Internet package you’ve been looking for!

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