Are you wondering and asking, “why is my download speed so slow on PC”? You have a high-speed Internet subscription, and when you browse, the internet connectivity is always fast enough. But when it comes to downloads, your files progress at the speed of a turtle!
Sometimes, you have to spend hours waiting for your files to download and then see the download canceled. Yeah, we’ve all been there before. But, not to worry, in this article, I’ll be explaining why your download speed is so slow on PC and how to speed up your downloads.
Why Is My Download Speed So Slow on PC? Here’re Our Top Reasons
There are various reasons your download speed is so low on your PC. Some of them are explained below:
The source server is too slow
One reason for long download times is often weak hosting. Servers cannot process the requests fast enough, and the connection breaks down. From time to time, nodes and lines in the network often fail. In addition, the actual loading speed
Poor router
Older routers or network card often only offer a maximum data throughput of 10 mb/s (equivalent to 10,000 kb/s). A DSL connection with 16000 kbit/s will therefore slow things down. The only solution here is to buy newer devices.
Less DSL than promised
The problem could be a poor internet connection. You would also find out that your browsing speed is low. Some providers advertise maximum speeds “up to 16,000 kbit/s” for DSL but do not deliver them in some areas. Do a free DSL speed test and check the speed. You may contact your internet service provider to know why the internet service is low.
Shared internet connection
If too many people are on the same internet connection you’re using, the browsing and download speed will be affected. This often occurs in office environments when there are so many active computer systems on the same wired or wireless internet providing solution.
Your OS is updating programs in the background
If suddenly, your download speed becomes so slow on your PC, check if the computer is downloading a Windows Update. Also, Microsoft Store could be downloading updates. The background data needed for these can affect your network connection performance. You may also configure your settings to stop downloading programs and OS updates automatically.
You’re using a VPN
For example, you may want to use a VPN to access online content from a country restricted by the server. For example, you may wish to stream FuboTV or HBO Max or have access to a crypto site from a location banned by the services. VPN helps you scale these barriers by tweaking your IP address. But not all network services on VPN servers are strong, and you can see this from the network meter of the server you’re connected to.
If you try connecting to one of these servers above and then attempt downloading files, the download speed will be pretty low.
So, my advice is that if you have to use VPN services, always only connect to servers with strong networks. However, suppose all server networks are down as in the above (one network bar). In that case, you may temporarily disconnect from your VPN. Of course, this means temporarily not accessing sites you can only sign in to with a VPN until the servers are strong. But it is what it is!
Download Speed so Slow on PC: How do I Fix?
So, how do you fix a slow download speed on your PC? Next, we’ll see how to fix the problem if your download speed is so slow on your PC. The first troubleshooting step is testing your download speed.
Fix 1: Test your download speeds
Type the query “internet speed” into a search engine, and you’ll be able to see how fast your internet speed is.
If the download speed is noticeably fast, the problem is not with the Internet connection.
On the other hand, if the speed is much slower than the theoretical data given by your service provider (ISP) or for your router, you will have to reduce the number of devices that use this same Internet connection.
Fix 2: Unplug or disable any unnecessary devices, apps, or streaming services
The more your network is used by various connected devices, the slower your connection. If you unplug your console, phone, and television, you will see that the speed of your main computer will be fast.
If you’re downloading a large file (movie), temporarily disable all the applications you don’t need so you can save space on the bandwidth.
Even seemingly inactive services like Netflix, Hulu, and even YouTube significantly impact download speeds. While you’re at it, close all unnecessary windows and other tabs in your browser.
Fix 3: Attempt a connection via Ethernet
If your computer is running on a wireless router, establish a wired connection using an Ethernet cable, and see if your speed problem is resolved.
If you have an average speed, you can conclude that your wireless connection is faulty.
If the download speed does not increase, you may suspect a problem with the router or the computer.
You can also clear the router’s cache by unplugging the router and the modem. Wait at least a minute, then plug everything back in.
If the problem persists, move the router closer to your computer or try the next option.
Fix 4: Buy a new router
If your router is starting to age, replace it with a newer, better one. Over time, the connection provided by routers slows down.
When purchasing, make sure it can support the maximum throughput given by your ISP. In absolute terms, it should even be able to support higher speeds, but it will be more expensive.
Fix 5: Get on a better Internet connection plan
Some connections are sometimes permanently insufficient to satisfy some Internet users, especially those who need a lot of bandwidth. To adapt to the demand of these specific customers, ISPs offer faster connections at higher prices than those of traditional connections.
Contact your Internet Service Provider (ISP). If your speed is still lower than what your ISP promised. Describe the problem and what you have already done to increase the flow.
You should also know that it is sometimes necessary to change ISPs because certain service providers have faster connections than others in some regions. So, ask your neighbors about the service provider and plan they’re using.
Read also: Why Does My Phone Say LTE Instead Of 4G or 5G?
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 800 Mbps fast internet?
Yes, 800 mb/s is fast enough for any purpose online. You can use it to play games online and stream videos, among other applications.
Is 1000 Mbps fast for gaming?
Yes, 1000 mb/s is considered super-fast as a good network connection is capped at 200 mb/s. So between 500 and 1000 mb/s is the recommended range for gaming. And if you can get up to 1,000 mb/s, that’s great. However, you should know that this hefty data is only deliverable over fiber-optic lines.
Does WiFi use RAM?
Yes, it does. Slow computer processing speed and RAM will delay your network connectivity and create unstable internet connections.
Does RAM affect download speed?
The larger your RAM space is, the faster your computer processing speed is. Faster RAM lets your computer browser run faster, although this doesn’t directly affect download speed.
Is 200 KB a good download speed?
200 kilobytes download speed per second is very poor. This was acceptable a decade ago, but not anymore in an age of 5G networks and fiber optic lines. With 200 kb/s, you’ll have to wait an hour to download a file of 1 gigabyte size.
The average download speed is usually around 42 mb/s. However, good download speed is capped at about 100 to 200 mb/s
What PC part increases download speed?
The speed of your computer processor, the capacity of your RAM, and your router all determine whether your download speed will be optimal or poor. Your computer should not have speed problems if it has at least 8GB DDR4 RAM.
As far as the processor is concerned, the recommended is a Ryzen 5 and 7 or an Intel Core i3, i5, i7, or i9. Upgrading your router once every five years is also recommended by experts.
Why is my download speed so slow on PC Steam?
The problem might be that you’re using the wrong or out-of-date network driver. Try to update the driver if this solves the problem. You may also connect to a different server within your region.
The problem can also be solved by clearing your download cache. In Steam, go to the left panel, choose Downloads and at the bottom part in the right panel, click on Clear Download Cache.
Why is my download speed so slow even though I have fast internet?
The cause of the problem can vary. It could be the time of day. According to a study by Cisco, there’s usually high internet traffic after work hours and dinner time, just before bedtime, basically between 9-11 pm.
This is also the time when people are mostly watching videos, according to Quartz. So, while you may be able to browse the internet when you’re trying to download, things can get snail-like.
Other reasons you may have a slower download speed despite having fast internet may be that your modem or router is old or has a lower capacity.
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Passionate about technology and communication, I’m more comfortable writing about the key trends in business-to-business software-as-a-service (B2B SaaS). I’m a generalist with interests in journalism, DIY and outdoor. You can always reach me on Twitter and LinkedIn. Learn more about tekpip and the team here on our about us page.