Are you having problems with your internet connection and are fed up with how long it takes for websites to load or files to download? If so, there are quite a few things you can do to introduce some positive changes. Let’s take a look at those methods.
Tinker With Host File if You Have a Mac
If you have a MacBook, you might want to do some tinkering with the Mac hosts file. If you were testing some websites and made the changes to the original hosts file version, it probably influenced the internet browser.
You can check the setapp.com website and see what all the fuss about the Mac hosts file is and how you restore the status quo.
Check for Third-Party Peripherals
Relying on a wireless internet connection is convenient because you can move around with a laptop around the house and use it without needing to plug in an ethernet cable. Not to mention smartphones and tablets.
On the other hand, a wireless connection might not be functioning properly because of third-party peripherals jamming the signal. For example, a wireless printer.
Deal with the problem by disabling or relocating third-party peripherals. If that is not an option, you will likely need to switch your router or get an ethernet cable (as far as using the internet on a computer goes).
Consider the Weather Outside
Some internet providers are not the best when it comes to poor weather conditions. In some cases, you may experience connection issues when there is slight rain outside. Of course, it is not necessarily something that you can fix or stop, but keep an eye for such patterns and take action.
Also, do not discard the possibility that strong winds might damage your equipment if you keep it outside. Be sure to check that regularly.
Contact Your Internet Provider
Your internet service provider could also be the reason why internet connection problems exist in the first place. Not all ISPs are reliable, but they offer cheap services. Moreover, in some areas, there is only one available provider available, which limits your options.
Fighting with an internet provider is difficult, but you should still give them a call now and then, particularly if your internet issues become too frequent. Putting some pressure on the ISP and even threatening to quit using their services might be just enough to push things in your favor.
Scan Devices for Malware
Do not disregard the possibility of malware infecting your devices. Even minor issues could cause significant problems. When you have a slowly-performing device, it is natural that the internet speed is also lackluster.
Install antivirus software if you do not have one and scan the system. A scan should reveal corrupted files so long as you are using a reliable tool. Whenever antivirus software detects infected files, remove them from your device.
Try a Virtual Private Network
Even though virtual private networks exist mostly for security and privacy reasons, they might prove quite useful as far as internet connection improvements go.
As you may or may not know, a VPN changes your location by giving you a new IP address. It is a trick used by users who wish to access geo-restricted websites. Creating a new tunnel and surfing the net via it instead of your original network could make the situation more manageable. And since VPNs are cheap, trying them should not be too much of a problem.
Optimize Internet Browser
A poorly optimized internet browser could be the primary reason why you cannot enjoy using the internet. Some people go overboard and install too many extensions because they seem like a nice addition to have.
It is important to note that your device has a limited amount of available resources, and extra browser extensions do not help. Sure, it is nice to have tools like ad blockers to stop those annoying online ads, but too many extensions are not a good thing.
Multiple simultaneous browser tabs are also not recommended. If you are not using a browser tab, close it so that it does not consume resources. Remember that some browsers are notorious for memory consumption.
Also, get in the habit of clearing browser cache regularly. Once every few months should do it, though you can clear the cache more frequently if you like.
Having said all that, switching to a different internet browser is also worth a shout. There are plenty of great options that are free, so it would be a waste not to try different browsers and see how they perform.
Update Your Devices
The last bit of advice is this—update your devices so that they have the latest operating system version. Missing updates means missing the latest features, security upgrades, and performance improvements, which also affect how your internet browser and connection as a whole are functioning.