How to Increase Download Speed: A Complete Guide for Faster Internet

Slow and steady might win the race, but slow download speeds are nothing short of frustrating when you’re trying to stream, game, or download files quickly. Unfortunately, connection issues can crop up sometimes – even with a fast internet plan. If your connection seems unusually slow and you’re wondering how to increase your download speed, this guide is here to help. 

Whether you’re dealing with outdated equipment, overloaded Wi-Fi, or ISP throttling, we’ve got 15 proven tips to help you improve your download speed and enhance your online experience. You’ll also learn how using a VPN can help bypass throttling and lead to faster browsing and download speeds.

What Can Slow Down Your Downloads?

You finally splurged on a good internet plan to download at superspeed – but hold on! Why is your download progress bar crawling instead of running, and why do online speed tests say your transfer rate doesn’t match the Mbps/Gbps you’re paying for? Before you restart that massive download, let’s look at why your speeds might not be as blazing fast as you expect and what might be slowing it down. 

1. Wired or Wireless?

We get it. Wi-Fi is super convenient. No one wants to be tethered to their router with a cable. But here’s the deal: Wi-Fi often means slower speeds. Think of it like this: Wi-Fi signals are radio waves, and they can get interrupted by walls, furniture, other connected devices, and overlapping Wi-Fi networks from neighbors. The radiofrequency your Wi-Fi connection uses (measured in GHz), your Wi-Fi network card and firmware, and your device’s distance from the router can also affect the strength and stability of your Wi-Fi signal. These factors can all contribute to slowing down your download speeds.

A wired Ethernet connection, on the other hand, is like a dedicated express lane for your data. It provides a direct path to the router with no obstacles, so you get faster, more reliable speeds. Just note that your Ethernet cable’s maximum data rate and bandwidth capabilities also make a difference, so it’s best to invest in a good one if you want fast speeds.

2. Lousy Network

Sometimes the problem isn’t your internet plan; it’s your home network. Your router and modem are the heart of your internet connection. If they’re old, outdated, or malfunctioning they can seriously limit your download speed. Newer routers also support the latest Wi-Fi technology for faster speeds if you can’t connect via an Ethernet cable. 

Routers can get slower if they aren’t restarted regularly to clear their cache or get overloaded with requests from too many connected devices. Some router settings might also prioritize certain types of traffic (like video streaming) over downloads or some devices over others. 

3. Browser Bottlenecks

You might be surprised to learn that your web browser can be a major speed bump. Are you a tab hoarder? Do you have tons of extensions running? Can your browser version be considered ancient by now? Do you forget to restart your browser or clear its cache now and then? All of these can slow down your downloads. 

Here’s why: your browser uses your computer’s memory and processing power to handle websites and downloads. Too many tabs or extensions hog these computing resources, leaving fewer available for your downloads. Add on a browser that hasn’t been updated with the latest bug fixes or hoards cache data like a dragon hoards gold, and you’ve got a recipe for frustration.

4. DNS Dilemmas

What does a Domain Name System (DNS) do? It’s like a roadmap for the internet. Think of it as a phonebook that translates website names into the numerical addresses that computers understand. When you type in a URL or open a link to a website, this data is sent to a DNS server that translates the words you see into a website’s IP address so your computer connects to the right web server. Your internet provider usually assigns you a DNS server, but it might not choose the fastest connection route and could be overcrowded with requests. 

A slow DNS server can delay how quickly your device finds the website or file you’re trying to access. It can also route your data across a longer path for several reasons (for example, if it’s more convenient for your ISP’s network management), which slows down your downloads.

5. Bandwidth Throttling

Ever feel like your ISP is playing games with your connection? They might be! Some ISPs apply content-based bandwidth throttling, which means the ISP limits your speed for certain kinds of activity (like torrenting) or to specific websites (like Netflix). Check your internet contract for any mentions of this. 

Understand Your Internet Speed Before Making Changes

Before we start tweaking things, let’s make sure we’re on the same page about your internet speed. Grab your ISP contract and check the fine print. It’s common for your actual speed to be a bit lower (around 30% less) than the advertised speed (or bandwidth). So, if you signed up for a 50 Mbps plan, don’t be surprised if you’re getting around 35 Mbps. That’s usually within the normal range.

When you put your connection to the test, keep these two things in mind:

• • Close everything: Shut down any apps, programs, or other devices that might be hogging your bandwidth. We want a clean slate for this test.
  • Mbps vs. MBps: Mbps (megabits per second) and MBps (megabytes per second) are different. Think of it like this: one megabyte is like a gallon of milk, while one megabit is like a cup of milk. Big difference! Make sure you’re comparing apples to apples when you check your speed.

15 Ways to Increase Download Speed

If your speed test shows a significantly lower download speed than what’s in your contract, it’s time to start looking for solutions. Here are 15 ways you can speed up your downloads:

1. Restart Your Router and Device

When you reboot the router, make sure you press the power button (not the reset button!). Wait for half a minute before turning it back on. This can clear out glitches and give your router’s temporary files (cache) a fresh start. Cache files aren’t necessary for your router to function so clearing them has no downsides. Do the same for your device, and you’ll be surprised at the difference it can make. 

2. Fix Browser Issues

Your browser can get bogged down with temporary files but you can safely delete them. This small tweak can increase download speed instantly. Or, even better, use a private browser. Private browsers don’t store this data in the first place.

To clear your cache on a regular browser, follow these steps:

• • Chrome: Tap the three dots at the top right corner of your browser and select History then select History again if necessary. Select Delete browsing data from the menu on the left side. In the pop-up menu, make sure the boxes next to Cached images and files are checked then tap Delete data.
  • Safari: Open Settings and go to Apps > Safari > Advanced > Website Data and tap Remove All Website Data. Note this will remove your saved cookie data as well.
  • Firefox: Open the menu and go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Cookies and Site Data. Select Clear Data. A pop-up menu will open. On the dropdown, next to When:, choose Everything then check the box next to Temporary cached files and pages and tap Clear.
  • Edge: Go to Settings > Privacy, search, and services. Under Delete browsing data select Choose what to clear and uncheck the boxes next to the history data you want to keep but make sure the box next to Cached images and files stays checked. Select a time range from the dropdown menu. Tap Clear now.

3. Conduct a Scan

Malware can consume your computer’s resources and slow down your downloads. Run a full system scan with a good antivirus program to remove any potentially malicious software.

4. Remove Devices

If you have a whole house full of devices fighting for bandwidth, you might need to remove some devices, upgrade your plan, or get a better router. Disconnecting non-essential devices to free up bandwidth can boost the download speed of your active tasks. As simple as that seems, bandwidth management is key to improving your download speeds. Also, check for any background updates on devices that might be using your connection as multiple simultaneous downloads will decrease the bandwidth available for each.

5. Move Closer to the Router

Wi-Fi strength decreases with distance. Try moving closer to the router for a stronger signal.  Also, make sure there aren’t any walls, floors, and furniture between you and your router. 

6. Switch to 5GHz (Wi-Fi)

If your router and devices support it, try switching to the 5GHz Wi-Fi band. It offers faster speeds and may experience less interference as most devices and appliances use the 2.4GHz band. Just keep in mind that 5GHz signals don’t travel as far as 2.4GHz, so you may need to move closer to your router to get a proper signal. You can enable the Wi-Fi signal band from your router’s settings. The specific steps will depend on your router and manufacturer so it’s best to follow the manual or seek instructions specific to that brand.

7. Switch to an Ethernet Cable

Ditch the Wi-Fi if you truly want the fastest downloads your network is capable of, especially for gaming or big files. Connecting with an Ethernet cable will considerably boost your download speed. Most hardware stores stock them, but – insider tip – shop around a bit. You want a quality cable with a good maximum data transfer rate and bandwidth size, but the markup on cables is often unnecessarily massive.

8. Use a VPN

This is a great way to bypass content-based ISP throttling. While VPNs are known to slow down regular connections, they can also improve your internet speed. VPNs can help you avoid ISP content-based throttling and slow DNS servers by encrypting and rerouting your traffic. 

Encryption prevents your ISP from monitoring your activity and throttling your bandwidth based on the websites or apps you’re using. By rerouting your connection, the VPN also automatically handles DNS requests for you. Depending on the VPN server’s location, it may even send your traffic across a more direct route to its destination. CyberGhost VPN takes this a step further with fast servers optimized for streaming, gaming, and P2P traffic, spread across 100+ countries.

Get CyberGhost VPN

9. Update Your Router’s Firmware

Think of firmware as your router’s hidden brain. Updating it can bring new features, better network security, and even speed improvements. Your router’s manual or the manufacturer’s website should have step-by-step instructions for how to update its software. You can also look it up using the search terms “manufacturer + router model + manual.” Just be careful not to interrupt the update process, or you could damage your router.

The general process goes like this:

Download the firmware update ➡️ Log in to the router’s interface ➡️ Open System Tools ➡️ Go to Firmware Upgrade ➡️ Upload the file.

10. Adjust Your Router’s Settings

If you have a decent router, you should be able to adjust the Wi-Fi signal’s transmit power and transmit mode. Be sure to know what settings you’re changing, though, so you don’t accidentally brick your router. Your ISP may have set some of your network settings if it owns the router, in which case it might not be possible to change them without consulting your provider.

For wireless connections, you can go to your router’s ‘Wireless Basic Settings’ menu or similar and select your desired mode. Choose 802.11 b/g/n mixed (if you have an older device) or AC or AX (if you have a newer device). Make sure Transmit Power is set to High. 

To change which types of traffic and devices your router prioritizes, open your router’s settings and look for a menu called “QoS” – it’s likely under the Advanced tab. If it’s not turned on already, click Enable QoS. From here, the settings may differ widely from one router brand to another so it’s important to find your manual or contact the manufacturer. You should be able to set the overall bandwidth for your router and create new rules that prioritize specific devices, apps, or types of traffic.

11. Use a Wi-Fi Extender (For Wireless Connections)

Wi-Fi extenders can help boost your signal strength if you’re far from your router. They won’t increase your overall internet speed, but they can help you get a better and more stable connection in those hard-to-reach areas. Your download speed will also still be slower with a Wi-Fi extender compared to just being physically closer to your router.

12. Change Your Wi-Fi Channel (for wireless connections in busy places)

If you live in an apartment building or other crowded area, your Wi-Fi might be competing with signals from other networks. Try swapping between channels no. 1, 6, and 11 from your router interface. 

If you want to get your geek on, we recommend you first analyze the Wi-Fi traffic in your area with a Wi-Fi Analyzer and see which channels are the least used. You’ll need a separate Wi-Fi adapter if you want to do this on a PC… unless you have one of those high-end motherboards with Wi-Fi included.

13. Upgrade Your Router/Modem

You may not want to hear it, but a good router is usually the best way to boost download speeds. Depending on your ISP’s infrastructure, you might also have to get a new modem. If either your router or modem is outdated, there’s a good chance that’s the culprit.

14. Change Your DNS (Domain Name Systems)

This fix is niche and, more importantly, it won’t necessarily improve your download speed. If web pages are loading really slowly, though, your DNS might be the reason.

Many ISPs have their own DNS resolvers, but there’s no guarantee they’re good or secure. Remember that ISPs in heavily censored regions also use their DNS resolvers to block access to various websites. Malicious third parties also sometimes rely on DNS spoofing to spy on people. These are just some of the reasons to opt for a private DNS, like the one that comes with CyberGhost’s VPN. Our VPN automatically routes your DNS requests through private servers every time you connect.

To handle it yourself, go to your router’s DNS settings page. There you can change your DNS to Google’s Public DNS, OpenDNS, or Cloudflare’s network. They’re all free, fast, and include additional protection. You can find their DNS servers’ IP addresses online.

For even better protection, I’d recommend using a good VPN. This way you’ll also protect yourself against DNS leaks.

15. Talk to your ISP

If you’ve tried everything and you’re still having speed issues, it’s time to contact your ISP. They can identify problems on their end or offer solutions you haven’t considered.

FAQ