One potential problem could be with your router or Wi-Fi. If your speed test results show that your speeds are in range of what you are paying for, but your connection feels much slower while you're using it, there are a few potential problems to consider. There are a few different scenarios to keep in mind. If you connected your computer directly to your modem with an Ethernet cable, the speed test you are running should give you a pretty accurate representation of what kind of connection your Internet service provider is really giving you.
#SUDDENLINK INTERNET SPEED TEST DOWNLOAD#
If you are a heavy Internet user, whether you play games online, stream TV, or work from home, you want to make sure that you are able to download and upload data with the speeds you are paying for. Your download and upload speeds, measured in megabits per second (Mbps), are self-explanatory. A ping rate of more than 150ms could cause lag. If you’re on a video call or gaming online, a ping lower than 20ms is ideal. As stated earlier, ping measures latency in milliseconds (ms) the lower the ping, the faster your speeds. You will have gotten your results for ping, download speed, and upload speed in just a few seconds. All you have to do is start it if you’re using, you’ll even see a big button front and center that says “GO.” Click it, and watch the test do the rest. Some tests will have already chosen the test server closest to you. Once you’re ready to run the test, it won’t take long. It may also be a good idea to reboot your computer or whichever device that’s running the test before beginning. Speed tests can also be used to test your wireless signal if you run one while on Wi-Fi, but a wired connection to your modem will give you a more accurate reading if you want to get insight into the Internet connection your provider is giving you. You should also consider disconnecting your router and using an Ethernet connection instead of Wi-Fi before starting. You should use as little bandwidth as possible while running the test.
#SUDDENLINK INTERNET SPEED TEST WINDOWS#
But before you start, be sure to close as many windows and applications as you can. Running the speed test itself is simple enough. All you need to do is make sure those results are accurate. Ping, upload speeds, and download speeds are the three main results a speed test gives you. This is done by tracking how much data is downloaded from the test server, and then how much is uploaded to the server in a certain amount of time.
The next part of the test measures download speeds, and then upload speeds. Ping rate, or simply ping, is a measurement of latency the lower your ping, the better. The ping’s trip to and from the server is measured in milliseconds. It then sends a simple signal, or ping, to that server and gets a response. When you run a speed test, the first thing it usually does is determine which test server is closest to you. It’s also available as an app for iPhone, Android, and Windows. also keeps a log of all the speed tests you run, making it easier to track and determine potential causes for a slow Internet connection. While there are several good services that you can use online to test your speed, including ones offered by several Internet providers, our technicians use by Ookla. We’ll discuss what speed test tools you can use, how they work, what results they give you, and what you can do with them. Running a speed test and interpreting the results will give you a lot of insight into why you’re seeing slow speeds, and determine if your Internet provider really is giving you the service you’re paying for. If you’re experiencing slow speeds there are two things you already know to do: checking and restarting your router, and troubleshooting your modem.Īnother step you should take is doing a speed test. If you're paying for 1 Gbps, you might not be getting anywhere near the gigabit speeds you were promised, and there are many potential reasons why. Unfortunately, you’re not always going to get the fast and dependable connection your Internet provider is promising you. Whether you work from home, stream TV, use smart appliances and home systems, or play videogames, you need nothing less than the Internet speed and reliability that you’re paying for.