An Overview of Troubleshooting Slow Internet Speeds

Summary

Are you having trouble with your Internet speeds, or do things appear to be moving slower than they used to on your computer? We are happy to help you learn what could be causing the problem and how to fix it.

Solution

Many things can cause slow Internet speeds. These easy steps will help identify what might be causing your slow Internet speeds and how to fix the issue.

1

Run a speed test.

Use our Accessing the Internet Speed Check Tool article to access and run a speed test. The Cox Internet Speed Test site will tell you exactly what Internet speeds you are getting in your home. Keeping your computer and network settings the same as you always have them will give you the most accurate results. If you are using a router, keep using it.
After running the test, if you are getting close to your Internet tier maximum speed, then it is safe to say the complication is not in your network or Internet settings.

You can view the Limitations of Service page to see the limits and allowances for your Internet package. 

2

Check your connections. 

Use the Checking for Loose or Damaged Internet Wiring article to check your connections.

USB connections are limited in the Internet speed they provide. Cox recommends using an Ethernet cable for the best Internet experience, and the fastest speeds.

             

                                               USB                                                                                           Ethernet

3

Check your modem.

Refer to our Troubleshooting Slow Internet Speeds by Checking Modem Health article for steps to check your modem. It is important to make sure your modem will work on the Cox network, you have the right type of modem for your Internet package, and your modem is working properly. 

4

If you connect to the Internet through a home network, check your router.

If you are not getting the proper Internet speeds for the level of service you have, the problem may exist within your home network.

 Note: If you are not connecting through a home network with a router, you may skip this section. 

5

Check your computer hardware and software.

Your computer hardware, or the software you are running, may be keeping you from getting the best Internet speeds. If you have more than one computer in your home, and only one of them has a speed problem, the issue may lie within your computer.
Refer to the following articles to make sure your computer meets the minimum requirements and reduce computer-based Internet speed issues:

• Cox High Speed Internet System Requirements
• Slow Speeds by Checking PC Health

6

Check for possible website causes.

The time it takes for a file to download or a Web page to load depends on a number of factors, some of which are beyond our control. Your Internet speeds may vary based on the website you are visiting. If the site has a lot of picture and video content, or if the site is very busy when you visit, you may experience slow speeds.
Check to see if other sites are also running or loading slowly. If you are having speed issues with one specific site, or at a particular time of the day, the issue may exist in the site itself. 

7

Contact us.

If you have run through all these steps and still have trouble with slow Internet speeds, the problem could be a Cox network issue. Contact us via email, Cox Live Chat, or call our 24-hour Customer Service Department and we will go through some steps to identify if there is a Cox Network issue occurring in your area.

Source:  http://ww2.cox.com/residential/support/internet/article.cox?articleId=9525d030-1c45-11e1-5cbc-000000000000