If you’ve ever tried to check your email or visit a website and found your computer struggling to open the page, congratulations: you’re not alone.

In fact, there are many problems that can cause your internet connection to slow down. Many of these problems apply only when they’re ongoing; for example, if your connection is slow in the evenings when everyone around you tries to use the internet at once. If you suspect this is happening, try visiting a website like http://www.speedtest.net (but make sure it’s not down itself first). It will test your download speed, upload speed and ping time (how long it takes for you to get a response from the provider). If all three of these are low, your connection is slow.

Overloaded Internet Service

Another obvious cause of slow internet connections is an overloaded internet service. When more users try to download data than there is bandwidth for, peers on the network find it difficult or impossible to transfer their data. They then have to queue, which increases the time it takes for them to get their data. To solve this problem, providers can simply increase the bandwidth available until there is enough for all users.

Misconfigured Network Settings

Yet another common internet issue is misconfigured network settings. You may have heard of deep packet inspection , where your ISP looks inside your data packets to see what you’re doing and where they can throttle or block certain types of traffic. ISPs may also choose to prioritize some kinds of traffic over others. If any of these problems exist, it can cause a lot of frustration for all involved parties: the ISP cannot provide the service they advertise and their users cannot do what they want to do online.

In many cases, but not all, you can change your network settings to prioritize certain data packets over others. In Windows , these are called ” QoS Rules “. You can create a rule that will give Skype priority over other applications, which might solve any problems with your internet slowing down while using it. You can use the same process to prioritize Netflix or Steam, for example.

Internal Network Issue

Lastly, there are cases where your internet slows down because of an issue with the network itself. If you suspect this is happening, switch off Wi-Fi and plug in an Ethernet cable instead; if it’s now faster or normal then there’s an issue with your wireless signal or its configuration.

If you’ve tried changing your network settings and it hasn’t fixed the problem, get in contact with your ISP if possible. They can help identify why you’re not getting the speed you should be, and might even resolve the issue remotely for you. If that doesn’t work, get in contact with a specialist broadband provider. They will be able to help you further and might even provide a free service call to solve the problem.

If your internet is still slow after all these things, it’s possible you have a virus or malware on your computer. If so, run an antivirus program and check for any unusual programs. If you find anything, delete it immediately! Lastly, scan your computer with a tool such as Malwarebytes to see if there are any uninvited guests on your PC.

If none of these steps fix your internet connection, it’s time to call in the professionals. Contact Bayshore Interactive and we will have a look.