Increase download speed - the best tips
In this practical tip, we will show you how to increase your download speed - with the right precautions for server selection, WLAN setup and line quality.
Download tip 1: test download speed
Before you set about increasing your download speed, you should first check your connection for the available bandwidth. In this way you can get an idea of what your Internet provider promises and what arrives at your home.
- The Federal Network Agency offers a good speed test. Alternatively, you can also check your bandwidth on the websites of various other providers.
- If you use your Internet connection from several devices, it makes sense to carry out the speed test on all corresponding devices (especially with WLAN). This is the only way to ensure that the speed is not affected by the settings or network connection of the respective device.
- There is a good speed test from "Ookla" for example for Android and iOS.
Download tip 2: Respond to server problems
- Often it is not your own connection that is down to a slow download speed, but the server from which you download a file.
- Therefore, try to start the download from another server or download the file at a different time of the day. Servers often go to their knees when too many users want to access the same file.
- If your connection test was successful, but a special download from a certain server is still too slow, the server will probably provide too little (throttled) bandwidth (often with file hosts that sell premium access).
Download tip 3: optimally set up WLAN
- Your router and your WiFi-enabled devices should be set up in the best possible way. Under no circumstances place the router in an angled corner, which, in the worst case scenario, can be filled with all kinds of objects. Make sure that your router is in a cheap and free-standing area so that you have good reception. Walls or ceilings between the router and the end device can also have a massive impact on reception.
- Make sure that all of your WLAN devices have a sufficiently fast transmission rate (especially in multi-person households). Speeds from 300 Mbps upwards are optimal. Everything below often doesn't have enough bandwidth so that you can watch HD videos smoothly, for example.
- You can check the data rate of your WiFi connection in Windows 7 by clicking on the rising bars in the lower right corner of the task bar, which show you the signal strength of your wireless connection. In the overview window that is now open, click on your WLAN connection on the right and select "Status". The transmission rate of your WLAN connection is displayed here.
- If you live in a densely populated city and / or in an apartment building, your neighbors' WLAN networks may reduce the signal quality. In this case, try changing the WiFi channel to improve the connection. To do this, select a channel in the router settings that is as far as possible from those of the other radio networks in the area (the necessary software for channel display can be found here, for example).
- Current routers are mostly dual-band capable and can therefore transmit both in the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands at the same time. In general, you can achieve a better transmission speed at 5 GHz, but the range of the signal is longer at 2.4 GHz. So that you can use one of the two networks in a targeted manner, they must have different names. In the settings of the FRITZ! Box, assign the names, for example, under WLAN -> Radio network.
- This practical tip shows you how to make settings on your router.
Download tip 4: set up DSL optimally
- If your WiFi network does not provide enough bandwidth, you can try connecting your devices directly to your router or DSL / cable connection using a network cable. Often the download speed improves noticeably because there are no obstacles in the way and the cable per se brings a higher transfer rate. You should connect desktop PCs in particular with a LAN cable.
- In some cases, the cause of a low connection speed is also too high line loss, for example if the line or the installed cables are too long, squeezed or damaged.
- You can inquire about the attenuation of your line by calling the service hotline of your provider. In principle, the following applies: the lower the intended connection speed, the higher the damping may be. With DSL 2000, the value should not exceed 36 db (unit for damping) - for VDSL 16000, it should not be more than 18 db.
- If you are lucky, you can fix the problem by laying cables. Make sure that they are not squeezed by cupboards or other objects. It becomes more difficult if the attenuation is caused by a switching center of your provider that is too far away. In this case, the only solution is to switch to a provider whose nearest switching center is closer to where you live. You can also ask your provider for this.
Here you will find the best DSL providers in comparison.
By the way: You can also improve your WLAN signal with a repeater. DSL Speedtest: Test your download and upload speed
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