This article will show you how to increase your download speed. To do this, you can use general methods, such as reducing the number of devices connected to the network or closing running applications, and setting up a DNS server to download content over a less busy connection.
Steps
Part 1 of 2: Using Common Techniques
Step 1. Check your download speed
To do this, enter the Internet speed in the search engine, go to one of the found sites, and then click "Measure" or a similar button. The download speed of the device will be displayed on the screen.
- If your download speed is fast and your files are downloading slowly, the problem is most likely not related to your internet connection.
- If the download speed is much slower than your Internet provider and router provides, disconnect unnecessary devices from the network.
Step 2. Disconnect unnecessary devices from the Internet
The more devices are connected to the network, the slower the Internet works. Therefore, unplug your game consoles, phones, TVs, tablets, and other computers from the network to speed up your downloads.
Step 3. Close unnecessary applications
This will increase the bandwidth of your Internet connection, which will lead to faster file downloads.
For example, close BitTorrent that is running in the background to quickly download Windows updates
Step 4. Turn off streaming services
Streaming services such as Netflix, Hulu, and YouTube on the device will seriously slow down the download speed. Even if only one streaming service is running, turn it off to speed up file downloads.
Also close any unnecessary windows or web browser tabs
Step 5. Connect your computer to the router using an Ethernet cable
Then check if the download speed has increased.
- If your download speed has increased, you have a poor wireless connection between your device and your router. In this case, move the device and router closer together, or buy a more powerful router.
- If your download speed hasn't increased, the problem is either with your router or with your computer.
- Also clear the router's cache. To do this, turn off your router and modem, wait a minute, and then turn them on.
Step 6. Do not share files via torrent clients while downloading something
Peer-to-peer networks are based on the fact that you need to distribute content, but if you do this at the same time as downloading files, the whole process can stretch indefinitely. Therefore, download the files first, and you can distribute them when you are not using your computer (for example, at night).
Step 7. Activate protocol encryption if you use torrent clients
This will hide what you download from your ISP (as a rule, ISPs reduce the bandwidth of the Internet connection if the user downloads a lot of files via torrent clients). For this:
- In the torrent client (uTorrent) window, click Settings.
- Click on Program Settings.
- Click BitTorrent.
- Open the Outbox menu.
- Select "Force".
- Click Apply> OK.
Step 8. Buy a new router
If the router is more than two years old, its performance will deteriorate and it will not cope with downloading files as well as new.
When buying a new router, make sure it is capable of the same (or faster) operating speed that your ISP guarantees
Step 9. Switch to a different Internet connection tariff
Some tariffs provide an Internet connection speed that is not sufficient for downloading large amounts of data (for example, for online games). Therefore, switch to a tariff with high-speed internet, but keep in mind that this tariff is much more expensive.
Step 10. Contact your Internet Service Provider
If the methods described here are unsuccessful, i.e. the download speed has not increased, contact your ISP and report any problems you have encountered.
You may need to change your ISP
Part 2 of 2: Using DNS Server Configuration
On Windows
Step 1. Open the Start Menu
To do this, click on the Windows logo in the lower left corner of the screen or press ⊞ Win.
Step 2. Click on "Options"
It's in the lower-left side of the Start menu.
Step 3. Click "Network and Internet"
It's near the top of the settings page.
Step 4. Click Change adapter settings
This option is located in the Change Network Settings section of the Status tab.
Step 5. Click on the name of the active Internet connection
It appears on the Network Connections page and is highlighted.
Step 6. Click Configure Connection Settings
This button is on the top line of options. The connection settings will open.
Step 7. Click Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP / IPv4)
This option is in the Connection Properties window.
First, click on the Networking tab at the top of the Connection Properties window
Step 8. Click Properties
It's near the bottom of the window.
Step 9. Check the box next to "Use the following DNS server addresses"
It's at the bottom of the Properties window.
Step 10. Enter the address of your preferred DNS server
Do this in the "Preferred DNS Server" line. The following are considered reliable DNS servers:
- OpenDNS: enter 208.67.222.222.
- Google: enter 8.8.8.8.
Step 11. Enter the address of the alternate DNS server
Do this in the "Alternate DNS Server" line:
- OpenDNS: enter 208.67.220.220.
- Google: enter 8.8.4.4.
Step 12. Click on OK
The changes made will be saved.
Step 13. Click Close
This button is at the bottom of the window.
Step 14. Restart your computer
Now check your download speed - it should increase if the problem was with your network.
On Mac OS X
Step 1. Open the Apple menu
Click on the Apple logo in the upper left corner of the screen.
Step 2. Click System Preferences
It's near the top of the Apple drop-down menu.
Step 3. Click Network
It's the globe-shaped icon in the System Preferences window.
Step 4. Click on an active wireless network
Its name will be displayed on the left pane of the window.
Step 5. Click on Advanced
You will find this option in the middle of the window.
Step 6. Click the DNS tab
It's at the top of the window.
Step 7. Click on +
This icon is located below the DNS Server field.
Step 8. Enter the address of the DNS server
OpenDNS and Google have reliable and fast DNS servers:
- Google: Enter 8.8.8.8 or 8.8.4.4.
- OpenDNS: enter 208.67.222.222 or 208.67.220.220
- If you want to enter the address of the preferred and alternative servers, enter one address (for example, 8.8.8.8), insert a comma, press the spacebar, and then enter the second address (for example, 8.8.4.4).
Step 9. Go to the Hardware tab
It's on the right side of the tab at the top of the window.
Step 10. Select the Configure checkbox and then click Manual
It's near the top of the Hardware page.
Step 11. Click on the MTU field and then click Custom
The MTU field is located under the Configure option.
Step 12. Enter 1453 in the text box
It is located under the MTU field.
Step 13. Click on OK
This button is at the bottom of the page.
Step 14. Click Apply
This button is at the bottom of the page. The settings will be saved and applied to the current wireless network.
Step 15. Restart your computer
Now check your download speed - it should increase if the problem was with your network.