How I Tackled Laggy Internet on My Own

Yahoo

28-04-2025

Over half of the US population has access to gigabit internet, according to the latest data from the Federal Communications Commission. But even with speeds as fast as 1,000 megabits per second, there are still cases where you can suffer from internet trouble. According to a recent CNET broadband survey, over 42% of US adults surveyed said they experienced unreliable internet speeds or connectivity last year. Before you jump the gun by upgrading your plan, buying a new router or switching ISPs altogether, consider following CNET's four-step simple guide to boost your speeds. Ever since joining the CNET broadband team last year, I've realized the value of a good internet connection and that troubleshooting your speeds doesn't have to be complicated. Here's how my journey went.
The red flags are there for a reason, so don't ignore them: the buffering, the slow downloads and the interrupted Zoom calls. Usually, I wouldn't have paid attention to these signs, since I had never had a problem with my internet before. A solid internet connection has become vital since I started working from home.
My family and I also noticed that streaming our favorite shows" target="_self, like the crime drama series Adolescence, had become a pain due to our fluctuating speeds. I finally gave in, said enough is enough and contacted my internet service provider, Verizon Fios" target="_self. The Fios agent was shocked that I was experiencing internet issues since I was on the company's second-fastest tier, the gigabit plan.
"You shouldn't even be experiencing fluctuating speeds with your plan," the Verizon Fios agent said over the phone. I was stumped.
I didn't want to make a hasty decision like switching out my current provider" target="_self or buying a new router. So I turned to CNET's advice for help.
Your internet speed is measured in megabits per second. In other words, your speed is measured by how much data can be processed over a network in a second. Gigabit internet refers to 1,000 megabits. The more data processed over your network, the better your connection performs.
As of June 2024, data from the Federal Communications Commission show that over half of the US population has access to gigabit speeds. Service typically ranges anywhere between $40 to $90 monthly. Major cable providers like Spectrum" target="_self and Astound Broadband's" target="_self gigabit plans are more widely available nationwide than other ISPs but might be pricier down the line. Depending on the connection type available at your address, most fiber ISPs like AT&T" target="_selfand Google Fiber" target="_self won't increase your prices after a year and can offer symmetrical download and upload speeds of 1,000Mbps. By comparison, a cable connection may only top out at 35 to 50Mbps. To learn more about where you can sign up for gigabit service, read our review on gigabit internet" target="_self and the best fiber internet providers for April 2025" target="_self.
At the start of this journey, I felt like a kid riding their first bike. It felt daunting because I didn't know where to start. Thankfully, one of our pages details how to boost your Wi-Fi connection in four simple steps" target="_self. Here's how it went.
Before you do anything else, conduct an internet speed test" target="_self. I chose Ookla's speed test because this is the format I am most familiar with. CNET recommends Ookla for its consistency, and it also shows you your speed test history once you create an account. (Disclosure: Ookla is owned by the same parent company as CNET, Ziff Davis.)
This step was fairly easy. I conducted a few speed tests online. The image above is a test I took near my workspace. Speeds of 248 to 275Mbps aren't bad, being on a gigabit plan supported by a fiber connection" target="_self makes them surprising (and disappointing). I took it a step further and went to an area of my home where we experienced the most internet trouble.
I avoid working in the basement most days because the internet is inconsistent. After conducting a speed test, I found our speed dipped to 76Mbps in downloads and 19Mbps in uploads. This area is the farthest from my router, so it only makes sense that the signal is weaker. According to the FCC, the minimum mark for broadband speeds is 100Mbps download and 20Mbps upload" target="_self. My speeds were missing that mark.
It should be noted that Ookla is not the only speed test you can try. If your household uses mostly streaming services, Fast.com is a solid option, as it measures your internet's capacity to stream Netflix. M-Lab is also at the top of my list, as it has an easy-to-use program. You can always keep it simple as well by turning to resources from your provider. My provider (and many other ISPs) also offers its own Verizon Fios speed test.
This next step requires you to experiment a bit with your router's location or your workspace. It wasn't easy to uproot my entire workspace, so I moved my router closer to my existing workspace area instead. This step wasn't a significant change because the router was already placed across the room from my workspace. Even if you have a top-notch router, optimizing your connection will rely on your router placement. You should ideally move your router to a central location" target="_self. Using an Ethernet cable might be helpful, especially if the new location of your router is far from the modem. Are you still unsure about where to place your router? Read what the five worst spots are to place your router, according to technicians.
In any case, moving your router too far from the modem might prove troublesome. You can try to raise your router instead and mount it to the wall, if possible. That way, you don't need to jump through all these hoops to install an Ethernet cable.
If moving your router is not an option, try contacting your internet provider for additional equipment. After contacting my ISP, I discovered that a Fios Wi-Fi extender came with my plan at no extra cost to my monthly service bill. The extender came with a small guide, and at first glance, it seemed pretty simple.
Obtaining equipment from your ISP is not the only option — many Wi-Fi extenders currently on the market support Wi-Fi 6. CNET previously named the TP-Link RE605X as the top pick for the best Wi-Fi extender due to its affordability and easy-to-use controls.
Note: TP-Link routers could be banned sometime this year due to a recent government investigation.
The next best thing is the , currently priced at $90, which tied in performance with the TP-Link RE605X when we tested them.
The extender came with a coax cable, a coax splitter and a small set-up guide that outlined four steps: confirm the internet connection, plug it in, pair it and finally move the extender to a designated spot in your home. Seems simple enough, right? I went through the first three steps without running into any issues. I paired my extender to my router using the coax cable.
Things took a turn with the final step. After pairing, I unplugged my extender and moved it to the basement, where the signal was weaker. The light from the extender wasn't the solid white it should have been. Instead, it was a yellow color, meaning the extender was disconnected from the router. Solving this problem took some time as I went back through the set-up guide and covered my bases again.
During this process, I also discovered Verizon Fios' complete Wi-Fi extender set-up guide online. Some ISPs offer customers the option of self-installation.
Here are some of the top internet providers" target="_self nationwide that have how-to pages and guides dedicated to installing devices that boost your internet:
AT&T Extender install guide
Cox mesh extender setup
Google Fiber mesh extender guide
Optimum Extender 6 setup guide
Spectrum extender pod placement
Verizon Fios extender support
Xfinity Xfi pod setup
Sparklight Eero extender guide
The complete set-up guide mentioned an Ethernet cable, but I was not provided one, so I wondered if that prevented my extender from connecting to the router. I contacted Verizon Fios to make sure I was not missing any parts. Per our conversation, Verizon Fios confirmed that an Ethernet cable is recommended but not necessary. The coax cable works just as well.
Ethernet offers a wired connection through cables, which you can plug directly into the router, and should provide faster speeds than Wi-Fi. CNET's own Hallie Seltzer tested this at her home." target="_self
I decided to pivot my approach and placed the extender a bit closer to the router, near my workspace. After a few minutes, I saw a solid white color -- the sign of success.
After installing the extender, my internet speeds surged, making this step optional for me. If you cannot obtain a Wi-Fi extender, you can try managing how much bandwidth your household consumes through your router settings. For instance, Verizon Fios allows customers to set up parental controls, which can eliminate access to certain websites. Other routers can even schedule access to the network for certain devices. This process will look different depending on your internet provider and your equipment.
High-speed internet may be enticing, but you may not even need it. According to OpenVault's first quarter 2024 report, over a third of Americans use the internet at gigabit speeds, a 20% increase from 2023. In addition, its latest Q4 report shows that the average American household uses 569Mbps in downstream speeds and 32Mbps in upstream. In other words, if you can access gigabit speeds, it should be plenty fast for your household. Finding the right speed will also boil down to your household's activities. Check out our speed recommendations below.
1Mbps - Sending emails
5-10Mbps - Web browsing
10Mbps - Using social media -
10-20Mbps (or 35Mbps in 4K) - Streaming in HD
25-35Mbps - Online gaming
For more information, read our comprehensive internet speed guide.
Even if you are on your provider's fastest plan, there is no guarantee you will see the exact speeds promised. Many conditions can impact your internet speeds. According to AT&T's website, certain materials, dense walls and even furniture can obstruct your Wi-Fi signal. Other common factors contributing to a weaker signal include outdated equipment, poor router settings, bad weather and extreme cases like hacking or malware. In addition, finding the right Wi-Fi band for your router can also help optimize your internet connection at home. To ensure you're making the most of your internet, read our guides on how to weatherproof your internet and secure your connection from hackers.
Once I successfully installed my extender, I conducted another speed test in my basement and I saw a surge in my internet connection, coming in at 598Mbps in download and 187Mbps in upload.
Here's what I discovered when optimizing my speeds at home:
Router and Wi-Fi extender placement are key. The location of your router and extender is directly proportional to optimizing your speeds. Give it a few tries and place your extender in different areas of your home. Ensure you don't place the extender too far or close to the router.
Conduct a series of speed tests after every step, monitoring any changes in your internet connection.
Seek out self-installation guides. Many ISPs, including AT&T" target="_self, Cox" target="_self, Spectrum" target="_self and Xfinity" target="_self, offer comprehensive self-installation guides online for devices that boost your signal. Don't hesitate to seek them out.
Consider buying a Wi-Fi extender. While your ISP might recommend using its equipment, many Wi-Fi extenders support Wi-Fi 6 and should do the trick. Check out our top picks for the best Wi-Fi extenders" target="_self.
A coax cable works just as well as an ethernet cable. Your ISP might recommend an Ethernet cable for pairing your extender to the router, but a coax cable also works.
When in doubt, contact your ISP for support and discuss your options. You can also try negotiating with your ISP" target="_self, which might be best if you're looking to upgrade your plan.
Since completing this experiment, I've seen a drastic change in my internet connection. My family and I can stream our shows without problems and my Zoom calls are running more smoothly than ever. I outlined four steps on this page, but you might need to do a few extra steps to ensure you cover all your bases. Fixing your internet doesn't have to be complex. This is my first time experimenting with this, and I've discovered a new comfort level with my internet connection and how it works.
Our Get Faster Wi-Fi page outlines four simple steps to boost your internet speeds: conduct a few internet speed tests, move your workspace or router, get a Wi-Fi extender (or upgrade your router) and prioritize your work traffic.
It's worth noting that many factors, such as certain materials, dense walls and even furniture, and the type of Wi-Fi band you have, can affect your internet connection. You can look into investing in an extender or mesh system to optimize your connection. If all else fails, you can contact your provider to explore your options.
Ookla's speed test is known for its consistency and accuracy. (Disclosure: Ookla is owned by the same parent company as CNET, Ziff Davis.) Unlike other speed tests, Ookla allows you to access your speed test history when you create an account. In addition, Android and iOS users can conduct speed tests from their mobile devices.
The FCC states that the minimum benchmark for broadband is 100 megabits per second in download and 3Mbps in upload. Openvault's Q1 2024 report shows that over a third of Americans use the internet at gigabit speeds. Moreover, the trend shows a 20% increase from last year. In addition, their latest Q4 2024 report highlights that the average American household uses 569Mbps downstream and 32Mbps upstream. In other words, if your household can access gigabit speeds, that should be plenty enough.
Different household activities require different internet speeds. For example, CNET recommends speeds of 25 to 35Mbps for online gaming and at least 35Mbps if you want to stream in 4K. To learn more, check out our internet speed guide for more information.
Internet providers like AT&T offer an extender install guide, Cox for its mesh extender set-up, Google Fiber for its mesh extender guide, Spectrum for its extender pod placement, Verizon Fios for its extender support, Xfinity for its Xfi pod setup and Sparklight for its Eero extender guide.