Why your speed test says something different

In this article you will learn: why your internet speed will sometimes say something different than the results of a speed test.

The speed on your plan is the maximum speed available to your home under ideal conditions. Many factors can affect the speed seen on a specific device. Here are the most common causes.

Possible causeWhat to know
Testing over Wi-FiWi-Fi is usually slower than a wired Ethernet connection and is affected by distance, walls, and interference.
Device limitationsOlder phones, tablets, laptops, or network adapters may not support gigabit or Wi-Fi 6/6E/7 speeds.
Router capabilitiesOlder routers may not be capable of delivering the speeds included in your plan.
Wi-Fi bandDevices connected to 2.4 GHz will typically be much slower than those on 5 GHz or 6 GHz.
Distance from the routerEvery wall and floor reduces Wi-Fi performance.
Network congestionMultiple people streaming, gaming, or downloading simultaneously share the available bandwidth.
Background activityCloud backups, software updates, security scans, and game downloads can consume bandwidth without you realizing it.
Website or server limitationsThe website or service you're downloading from may be the bottleneck, not your internet connection.
VPN usageA VPN often reduces download and upload speeds because traffic is encrypted and routed through another server.
Browser or application limitsSome apps simply cannot download fast enough to saturate your connection.
Equipment problemsLoose cables, overheating routers, or failing hardware can reduce performance.
Temporary network issueMaintenance or an outage may temporarily affect speeds.
What to try
  1. 1
    Restart your modem/router.
  2. 2
    Disconnect your VPN (if using one).
  3. 3
    Pause large downloads or cloud backups.
  4. 4
    Stand close to your router.
  5. 5
    Connect to the 5 GHz or 6 GHz network if available.
  6. 6
    Test on a second device.
  7. 7
    Run a speed test using a wired Ethernet connection (if possible).
  8. 8
    Compare wired and Wi-Fi results.
  9. 9
    Record your results before contacting support.

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