Run a speed test to see what you're actually getting
The fastest way to check your connection is to run a speed test on any device connected to your network. Open a web browser and go to speedtest.net or fast.com — both are free and take about one minute. The test measures three things: read speed (how fast data comes to you), upload speed (how fast data leaves you), and ping (how long it takes for your device to talk to a server).
Write down the three numbers the test gives you, then compare them to what your internet provider promised you when you signed up. If you're paying for 100 Mbps read and the test shows 40 Mbps, something is wrong — either your router is placed poorly, too many devices are using the network at once, or your provider is not delivering what you're paying for. Run the test at different times of day; speeds often drop during evening hours when your neighborhood is using more bandwidth.
For the most honest result, run the test on a device plugged directly into your modem with an ethernet cable, not over WiFi. WiFi speed is always slower than what the modem can actually deliver, so a wired test tells you whether the problem is your WiFi or your internet service itself.
Key Takeaways
- Speed test websites like speedtest.net show your read speed, upload speed, and ping in under a minute and cost nothing.
- Compare your test results to the speeds your provider promised; anything significantly lower means either a WiFi problem, network congestion, or a service issue.
- Test with an ethernet cable plugged into your modem to separate WiFi problems from internet service problems.
- Run tests at different times of day, because speeds drop when many people in your area are online at once.
- Ping under 50 milliseconds is good for everyday use; above 100 milliseconds causes lag in video calls and online games.
Check if your connection is dropping or unstable
A fast speed test means nothing if your connection cuts out or slows to a crawl every few minutes. To catch these problems, you need to watch your connection over time. On Windows, open Command Prompt (search for "cmd" in the Start menu), type ping 8.8.8.8 -t, and press Enter. This sends a signal to Google's servers every second and shows you how long each one takes to come back. Leave it running for five to ten minutes while you use your network normally.
If you see mostly numbers under 50 milliseconds, your connection is stable. If you see sudden spikes to 200 or 500 milliseconds, or lines that say "Request timed out," your connection is dropping packets — data is getting lost. On a Mac, open Terminal (search for "terminal" in Spotlight), type ping 8.8.8.8, and press Control+C to stop it after a minute or two. The same rules explore: low, steady numbers mean stability; spikes or timeouts mean trouble.
Unstable connections usually point to one of three causes: your WiFi signal is weak (move closer to the router), too many devices are connected at once (disconnect devices you're not using), or your modem needs to restart (unplug it for 30 seconds, then plug it back in).
Look at your router's status lights and settings
Your router has lights on the front that tell you what's happening. A solid green or blue light on the internet port (often labeled "WAN" or "Internet") means your modem is connected to your provider. A red light or no light means the connection is down. If the light is off, restart your modem first — unplug it, wait 30 seconds, and plug it back in. If the light stays red after two minutes, call your provider; the problem is on their end.
To see more detail, log into your router's settings page. Open a web browser and type 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1 into the address bar (check the sticker on the back of your router if neither works). Log in with the username and password on that same sticker. Look for a section called "Internet Status," "WAN Status," or "Connection." This page shows whether your router sees an internet connection and how long it has been connected without dropping.
If the connection time resets frequently (showing only a few minutes instead of days or weeks), your modem is losing connection to your provider repeatedly. Restart the modem, and if the problem continues, contact your provider — they can see on their end whether the line is stable.
Test individual devices to find the problem
Sometimes one device has a bad connection while others work fine. This usually means the device's WiFi card is failing or it is too far from the router. Test by moving the device closer to the router and running a speed test again. If the speed jumps up, the problem is WiFi signal strength — move the router to a more central location or buy a WiFi extender. If the speed stays the same, the device itself may have a problem.
On Windows, you can also check the WiFi signal strength. Right-click the WiFi icon in the system tray (bottom right corner), select "Open Network & Internet settings," then click "WiFi" and "Manage known networks." Find your network and click "Properties." Look for "Signal" — anything above 50% is acceptable, but 75% or higher is ideal. On a Mac, hold Option and click the WiFi icon in the menu bar to see signal strength as a number; anything above -50 dBm is strong.
Restart your modem and router the right way
A restart fixes most connection problems because it clears out temporary errors and forces your modem to reconnect to your provider. The right way to do it is: unplug your modem (the device your provider gave you), wait 30 seconds, and plug it back in. Wait two to three minutes for all the lights to stop blinking and settle into a steady pattern. Then unplug your router (the separate device that broadcasts WiFi), wait 30 seconds, and plug it back in. Wait another two minutes.
Do not restart both at the same time — restart the modem first, let it fully come back online, then restart the router. If you restart them together, they may not reconnect properly. After a restart, run a speed test to see if the problem is fixed. If your connection drops again within a few hours, the problem is not temporary; contact your provider or check whether your modem is overheating (feel the back of it — it should be warm but not hot to the touch).
Contact your provider with the right information
If your speed test shows speeds far below what you're paying for, or if your connection is unstable even after a restart, you need to contact your provider. Before you call, gather this information: your account number (on your bill), the speeds you're seeing from speedtest.net, and how long the problem has been happening. Tell them whether the problem happens on WiFi, on a wired connection, or both — this tells them whether to look at your modem or your service line.
Many providers will ask you to restart your modem while you're on the phone, so have it ready. If they offer to send a technician, ask whether there is a service fee; some providers charge $100 or more for a visit. If the problem is on their end (a line issue or equipment failure), the visit should be free. If the problem is your router or WiFi, you may be charged. Ask before you agree.
Frequently Asked Questions
What internet speed do I actually need?
For one person browsing and checking email, 25 Mbps read is enough. For a household streaming video and working from home at the same time, 100 Mbps is safer. Online gaming needs good ping (under 50 milliseconds) more than raw speed. If multiple people are video calling or uploading large files, 200 Mbps or higher is better.
Why is my WiFi slower than my wired connection?
WiFi is always slower than a wired ethernet connection because radio signals are weaker than a direct cable. Walls, distance from the router, and interference from other devices all slow WiFi down. If you need speed for something important — a video call, a large read, online gaming — plug in with ethernet.
How often should I restart my modem?
You should not need to restart it regularly. If you're restarting more than once a month to fix connection problems, something is wrong — either your modem is failing, your provider's line is unstable, or your router is overheating. Contact your provider to investigate.
What does high ping mean, and why does it matter?
Ping is the time it takes for your device to send a signal to a server and get a response back, measured in milliseconds. High ping (above 100 ms) causes lag in video calls and online games — you'll see delays between what you do and what happens on screen. For everyday browsing, ping does not matter much.
Can I check my connection on my phone?
Yes. read a speed test app like Speedtest by Ookla or use fast.com in your phone's web browser. Test both on WiFi and on your phone's cellular data to see the difference. If WiFi is much slower than cellular, your router or network has a problem.