Two key factors that determine internet speed are upload speed and download speed. If you’re getting the “buffering spinning wheel of doom” when you’re trying to watch a show or download something from the internet, your download speed may be struggling.
It may not be your internet service provider (ISP) that’s causing the issue. The methods for how to increase your download speed are pretty straightforward.
- If you’re on cable or DSL, it may be time to upgrade to fiber internet or 5G home internet
- The internet plan you’re on may need an upgrade for faster speeds
- Your internet equipment may be out of date
- The issue may be with your devices: gateway, phone, tablet, laptop, or other connected device
It can be frustrating when you don’t seem to have a stable connection, and it can feel overwhelming when you’re trying to figure out why that’s happening. The good news is that you have a lot of options to pinpoint where the issue is and how to fix a slow download speed.
Understanding factors that affect download speeds
The most common causes for slow download speeds come from both external and internal factors. Network congestion, outdated technology or equipment, and weak signal strength from Wi-Fi are common causes. But it might also be an issue on your device.
External factors
The most important factors influencing your download speed are your ISP and your internet plan. The type of internet connectivity you have and the plan you choose determine how much speed is available in ideal conditions.
Several variables contribute to the actual speeds you experience on your device, including:
- Network congestion – Most types of internet use a shared architecture. During peak hours, like in the evening when most people are home, download speeds may slow down. Fiber internet offers the most bandwidth—more capacity for users to be online at the same time. It’s less affected by the number of people on the network simultaneously.
- Infrastructure age and condition – DSL and copper telephone infrastructures are aging internet technologies. They may struggle with the demands of modern internet connectivity and are likely to have slow downloads.
- Distance from your ISP – Fiber and cable are generally less impacted by your distance from your ISP. Cable is less distance-sensitive than DSL, but performance can still vary by local network conditions.
The external challenges that get in the way of faster download speeds can be addressed by upgrading to more modern connectivity with fiber, cable, or 5G home internet.
Internal factors
Internal factors are any issues within your home that can negatively impact your download speeds. These could be issues with your router, device, or other aspects of your equipment or household.
A few of the most common internal factors affecting download speeds include:
- Usage demands – If you have multiple devices on a single network performing data-intensive tasks like streaming or online gaming, each device may experience slow download speeds.
- Distance from your Wi-Fi® gateway or router – If you’re far away from your Wi-Fi gateway or router, distance and obstructions—like walls—might weaken your signal.
- Background apps on your phone – Your smartphone, tablet, and laptop likely have many “always-on” apps running in the background. Other non-essential apps may stay running while you’re not using them. Apps that require a lot of data—for example, streaming apps like YouTube or social media apps like Instagram—can slow active downloads.
- On-device challenges – Slow download speeds can also be caused by your device. For example, your browser cache, which stores operational data, site visits, and other download data, may be full.
While you can take steps to remedy each of these internal factors, external problems may also be affecting the quality of your internet connection.
Slow downloads can come from your provider (plan, congestion, distance) or your home setup (Wi‑Fi, too many devices, background apps). Simple fixes help, but you may need better equipment or a faster plan.
To know if your speeds align with your needs, it’s important to understand what numbers like Mbps really mean.
How internet download speed is measured
Download speed is the rate at which data is transferred to your device over a network, typically measured in megabits per second (Mbps) or gigabits per second (Gbps). Very slow connections may be described in kilobits per second (Kbps).
About 25 Mbps download speed is a solid baseline for one person doing typical online activities like web browsing, HD streaming, and video calls. 4K streaming may work for one stream, depending on the service and network conditions, but it isn’t guaranteed.
Recognizing the need for speed
For gaming, latency and Wi‑Fi quality matter more than your download speed. If multiple people stream, video call, or download at the same time—or if you want consistent 4K—consider a faster plan and make sure your upload speed is sufficient too.
Likewise, if multiple users are accessing your network at the same time, you’ll need more than 25 Mbps for everyone to enjoy it without issue.
Download speed measures how fast data reaches your device (usually in Mbps or Gbps). For 4K streaming, gaming performance, and multiple users often require more (and gaming also depends heavily on latency and Wi‑Fi quality).
If your downloads feel sluggish, a few practical adjustments to your setup and usage may improve speeds without changing your plan.
Tips to increase your download speed
As you see, there are numerous reasons your download speed might be slow. This also means there are various ways for you to improve it. Your first steps are looking at your devices and how your internet is set up.
Clear cache
Your browser’s cache stores copies of website data (like images and files) to help pages load faster. When your cache is full of data, it can negatively impact your download speeds.
Clearing your cache might mean you’ll have to re-enter your information wherever you browse, but it can also lead to shorter wait times and faster internet connections.
Every browser is a bit different, but in general, you can follow these instructions to clear your cache:
- Open your web browser.
- Find the Settings
- Navigate to Privacy and Security or a similarly-named page.
- Click Clear Browsing Data, Delete Browsing Data, or Clear Cache.
You can choose a range of time—the last 15 minutes—or clear your cache completely. Your options include clearing just the browsing history, cached images and files, and cookies and other site data.
A note about cookies and other site behavior: Clearing these will delete all stored activity from the sites you visit. This includes items in shopping carts, previously viewed products, passwords, and more. Make sure your passwords or anything else important to you are either backed up or noted.
Scan for viruses or malware
Slow downloads are a sign to check your phone, tablet, and laptop security. Malicious programs run in the background, putting your devices and personal information at risk. They monopolize your computer resources and may:
- Track your keystrokes to steal information
- Send emails from your accounts so they can spread
- Take control of your computer—and you may not even notice
If you don’t already have reliable antivirus, get one immediately. Run a virus scan to see if your computer is infected, following its instructions for repair. Then set the antivirus to run regular scans.
If a virus is the issue, hopefully this will improve your download speeds.
Remove unneeded devices
Each speed tier can handle a certain number of connected devices. Some devices are passive while others are moving a lot of data. Removing unnecessary devices can benefit your internet connection and download speeds, especially those that are data-intensive but you’re not actively using.
Take an inventory of the Wi-Fi-capable devices in your house and turn off or disconnect those you’re not using. Consider smart appliances and even old devices you may have forgotten about to lower the demand on your network.
Optimize your router setup
Proximity to your Wi-Fi gateway or router can also impact your connection and download speeds. It’s not always possible to stay in the same room as your router, but it’s worth testing to see if your download speed improves on a connected device like your phone, tablet, or laptop if you’re closer to it.
If you notice an improvement, try moving your router to a central location in your home and clearing the area of any objects that could block or interfere with the signal.
Add a smart Wi-Fi extender
If you notice that you have slower speeds when you’re farther away from your Wi-Fi router, you may want to consider a smart Wi-Fi extender. Unlike standard Wi-Fi extenders that create a separate network in your home, a smart Wi-Fi extender creates a single, seamless network for better performance.
Smart Wi-Fi extenders are an ideal solution for dead zones in spaces that are larger than 1,500 square feet, or if you need strong connectivity in places like your backyard or patio.
Wi-Fi extenders amplify your router’s signal to expand its reach and strengthen your connections. They allow you to:
- Provide internet coverage in dead zones at your home
- Establish a stronger signal, which can help improve download speeds farther from your router
- Have more flexibility in where you connect to the internet and still maintain a more stable connection
If you have a large house and are struggling to connect in the basement, attic, or far-flung corners, a Wi-Fi extender is a great solution.
Reduce network interference
When multiple Wi-Fi networks are all operating in the same area, they tend to overlap and cause interference with one another. Such issues can be common in close living spaces like townhomes, apartments, and dorms. This is most noticeable during peak hours, like in the evenings when most people are home.
If your Wi-Fi router is outdated and uses an older version of Wi-Fi than is available at your address, updating it to a newer standard, such as Wi-Fi 6/6E or Wi-Fi 7, could help if your devices support it.
Many slow-download problems can be improved with at-home fixes like clearing your browser cache, scanning for malware, adding a mesh/smart extender for dead zones, and upgrading an outdated router.
If you’ve tried these tweaks and the speeds still can’t keep up with your household’s needs, it may be a sign your current internet tier just doesn’t offer enough capacity.
[Read: What is Wi-Fi 7?]
When to consider upgrading your internet plan
If you’re still experiencing long load times, low-quality videos, and choppy gaming experiences, it’s time to reach out to your internet service provider.
They can help you troubleshoot. There may be an issue with your line, connections, equipment, or even the service. If you simply need a higher speed tier, they can help you choose a new internet plan.
We offer a variety of internet service plans with fiber internet speeds up to 5 GIG*. If fiber isn’t available at your address yet, 5G home internet (AT&T Internet Air) is also a fast, reliable solution.
All our fiber plans include AT&T All-Fi for complete Wi-Fi coverage. And if you have a 2 GIG or 5 GIG plan, you qualify for AT&T All-Fi Pro for enhanced Wi-Fi performance.¹
And when you bundle AT&T Fiber® with an unlimited wireless plan, you can save big.
We’re here to help you have the download speeds you need for a quality internet experience.
*Speeds based on wired connection. Actual speeds may vary. For 5 Gig, single device wired speed maximum 4.7 Gbps. For more info, visit att.com/speed101.
¹Limited availability/areas
