The only thing more frustrating than slow Internet is Internet that seems to be fast, then dives right back down to sluggish speeds as soon as you queue up a new video. Fast, slow, fast, slow – soon enough, all you want is a steady Internet speed that doesn’t constantly change.

If you’re wondering why Internet speed fluctuates, you’re not alone. That’s why we’ve collected the most common causes of oscillating Internet speeds and some potential fixes below. Join us as we break them down one by one.

 

Why Does Internet Speed Fluctuate?

 

Internet speed fluctuations are an inseparable part of online activities. Thanks to how data bits travel across Internet networks and variations in devices, activities, and environmental factors like the weather, some moment-to-moment changes are inevitable.

If your connection averages a download speed of, say, 200 Mbps (megabits per second), it might vary between 180 Mbps and 200 Mbps throughout the day. Those kinds of minor fluctuations aren’t anything to worry about.

But larger Internet speed fluctuations – such as dips to speeds as low as 20 Mbps before rising back up to 200 Mbps again – can happen due to several possible root causes.

 

Your Router is Too Far

 

For instance, your router might be too far from your computer or phone. If your home has several floors, and you try to wirelessly connect to a router on the first floor from the second, your connection speed may fluctuate from time to time as your device loses and regains the signal. Even in the best circumstances, long-range WiFi connections can be spotty if they're made through solid surfaces like floors or walls.

 

You’re Online During Peak Hours for Internet Usage

 

Ever wondered, “Why does my Internet slow down at night?” You’re not alone, and it’s probably because that’s when everyone else is on, too.

Evenings and weekend days are some of the peak times for heavy Internet usage – it’s when people have lots of free time to be online, after all. So, if you hop online for your own streaming or surfing fun during this “rush hour,” you might find that your connection speed oscillates from slow to fast and back again.

Why? Simply put, it’s because of network congestion. The more people use a local network, the more the available bandwidth gets taken up. If too many people are online requesting data at once, the bandwidth isn’t enough for maximum speeds, and everyone’s traffic slows down.

 

Your Household Has Too Many Devices In Use

 

It doesn’t have to be your neighbors clogging up the local network. An abundance of internet usage within your home can create a similar rush-hour effect that impacts speeds. The more heavy-bandwidth activities happening on multiple devices at a time, the more likely you are to run into speed fluctuations.

 

Your Internet Type is Unstable

 

Certain Internet types are inherently more stable than others. For example, dial-up or DSL connections aren’t quite as reliable as cable Internet, not to mention are much slower on average, as well.

Similarly, WiFi and fixed wireless connections aren’t as stable as wired Internet connections. Data traveling through the air via radio signals can lose its coherence or get lost much more easily. A fixed wireless internet connection is particularly susceptible to interruption because of the greater distances it must travel through the air. Its signal can be impacted by something as simple as foliage growth during certain seasons disrupting the line-of-sight route the signal is traveling. That’s why wired Ethernet connections to routers receiving a wired internet signal from your ISP tend to experience Internet speed fluctuations less often.

 

Your ISP Throttles Your Internet

 

Some Internet service providers (ISPs) only allow you to enjoy high speeds for a little while. But after you use a set amount of data, they throttle your speeds. If you notice your Internet speed fluctuating around the same time each month, it’s probably because that’s when you hit your “data cap.”

Check your ISP’s terms and your plan contract to know more. If Internet throttling is frustrating you, it may be time to look for a new ISP entirely.

 

Your Device is Infected with Malware

 

Certain malware viruses and other digital threats can infect your computer or phone. Aside from causing general havoc, some viruses may hijack your device to communicate with websites or other uses over the Internet, essentially stealing some of your traffic and congesting your network.

Alternatively, some malware may use your device’s resources, like RAM or processing power, to perform possibly dangerous activities. In any case, malware may be the culprit behind a slow Internet connection, especially if your device is running slowly offline, too.

 

How to Prevent Internet Speed Fluctuating

 

So, Internet speed can fluctuate for lots of reasons. On the bright side, in some cases, you may have the power to fix it, especially if you know why your network speed fluctuates.

 

Run an Internet Speed Test

 

To discover the reason (or reasons), it may be helpful to run an Internet speed test. Online tests can tell you the average speed of a given device. Then, you can compare your results to a good internet speed you should be experiencing based on your Internet plan.

Of course, you should also pay attention to the other speed-related symptoms of your device. As we mentioned above, if your device runs slowly in general, not just online, it might be infected with malware. If you see speed fluctuations only after you use a lot of data, it may be your ISP.

Once you've identified the likely cause of your network speed fluctuations, you can move on to one or several of the steps below. Run a speed test after each attempted fix to see if that did the trick!

 

Move Your Router or Device

 

Since router distance can have a direct impact on the performance of your Internet connection, you might get good results if you move it to a more accessible or visible spot in your home. Try to place your router on a high counter or shelf, for example, or in the middle of a room so that all devices are about the same distance away from it.

 

Reduce the Number of Devices In Use

 

Free up some bandwidth for priority activities by disconnecting devices not in use. While not a permanent solution, it can be helpful in a pinch to turn off smart TVs and put cell phones on airplane mode to ease network congestion and allow a work video call to go through on your laptop.

You should also check that unknown devices are not connecting to your WiFi. Make sure your WiFi is password protected. If someone is close enough to your home and you do not have a password-protected network, they could be leeching your bandwidth and causing speeds to slow down for you. Changing your password periodically will kick off anyone who shouldn’t be there.

 

Try a Wired Connection to the Router

 

Even in the best circumstances, WiFi connections aren’t quite as steady as wired ones. With that in mind, if you still experience Internet speed fluctuations, try hooking your computer up to your router with an Ethernet cable.

This trick won’t work for phones, but it might be just what your computer needs to enjoy a fast, stable connection permanently. A wired Ethernet connection is particularly appropriate for gaming consoles or work computers that need consistent Internet speeds as often as possible.

 

Update Your Router’s Firmware

 

In some cases, your WiFi router’s firmware – the onboard software it comes with out of the box – could be outdated or old. Old firmware slows down the router, potentially leading to network speed fluctuations.

The solution? Access your router’s controls and update the firmware. This normally happens automatically, but the update schedule could be knocked out of sync from previous updates, unplugging the router, or other factors.

 

Use a Different WiFi Frequency

 

Most people online stick to their router’s default 2.4 Ghz frequency when they connect to WiFi. But many routers – dual-band routers, to be specific – have a second 5 Ghz frequency with additional WiFi channels, too.

That 5 Ghz frequency probably isn’t used as much as the default one, and it could be faster. If you suspect your speed fluctuations are caused by everyone being online at once or low bandwidth, try this frequency out and see if your speed ticks up.

 

Change Your Internet Plan or ISP

 

Even after you try lots of solutions, you might still get Internet speed fluctuations often. Ultimately, your Internet service provider (ISP) may be the culprit behind all the frustration.

Ask about upgrading your Internet plan. Increasing speed should mean greater bandwidth to share among all your connected devices. More bandwidth should translate to fewer speed fluctuations. And if you have stellar internet speeds, small fluctuations are less noticeable and less problematic.

Certain ISPs don’t offer fast enough speeds, or their service might just be subpar. In these cases, switching to a new ISP may be in order – especially one that offers fast speeds. If your Internet speed hasn’t been consistent for months, don’t force yourself to live in the slow lane.

 

Get Steady, Dependable Internet from Shentel

 

While Shentel can’t guarantee that your speeds won’t fluctuate at all, we can ensure that we never throttle speeds. In fact, our cable Internet service offers a variety of speeds and plans for your household, all of them without any throttling whatsoever. We are constantly working to improve the network to be able to offer the bandwidth needed to minimize fluctuations and allow for fast, reliable download speeds. Don’t forget free installation and friendly service! We’re the reliable Internet provider you’ve been looking for. Explore our plans today or contact us for more information!