If you ran a speed test and weren’t seeing the blazing fast speed you expected, don’t worry! Slowdowns are often caused by common issues you can quickly fix at home. Follow this guide to troubleshoot your connection and optimize your speed.

Understand the Difference: Wi-Fi vs. Wired

It’s important to know the fundamental difference between connection types:

• Wired Connections: Devices that are hardwired (connected via Ethernet cable) to your router will receive all the speed and bandwidth promised by your plan.
• Wireless Connections (Wi-Fi): Speeds over Wi-Fi will almost always be slower than a wired connection. Wireless speed depends on several factors, including:
  • Distance from the wireless connection point to the device.
  • Age of the device.
  • Obstacles (like walls) between them.
  • Environmental factors.

Example: If you are on our 1 Gig plan, you can expect to see the full 1 Gig on your wired devices but typically around 500-600 Mbps over Wi-Fi, depending on your device’s wireless capabilities.

Check Your Equipment & Placement

The location and type of equipment you use make a huge difference in performance.

• NLB Equipment Recommendation: For the best experience, we strongly recommend using Norwood Light Broadband Fiber’s eero Wi-Fi routers. Our routers utilize the most advanced technology standards to ensure the best possible performance and are included with your internet plan! If you’re using your own gear, we may not have as much visibility into your network to help you troubleshoot.
• Optimal Router Placement:
  • Place the Wi-Fi router centrally in your home.
  • Be sure it is placed in an open space and off the floor.
  • Avoid: cabinets, closets, drawers, appliances, TVs, or other electronics, as these objects can block the signal.

Reduce Network Congestion

All the devices in your home share one Wi-Fi signal. Each active device reduces the remaining bandwidth for the rest.

• Count Your Devices: The average American household has 27 connected devices (phones, TVs, computers, cameras, thermostats, appliances) that share the Wi-Fi coming into the home.
• Disconnect Bandwidth-Hogs: To speed up your connection on a device, disconnect the higher bandwidth devices so they aren’t competing for bandwidth. For example, if one device uses 50 Mbps of a 600 Mbps connection, the others must share the remaining 550 Mbps.

Run an Accurate Speed Test

Where and how you run your speed test can give you a false reading:

• Test Location Matters: Speed test results over a wireless connection are always slower than expected plan speeds due to many factors. To accurately test upload and download speeds of the service coming into your home, be sure the device you are testing with is connected to the main router and not a Wi-Fi access point.
• Check Distance: You will get the best performance when your device is within 6 feet of your main router and not blocked by concrete, metal, masonry, plaster, wood, or mirrors.
• Third-Party Sites: Third-party speed test sites can be slowed down based on a variety of factors unrelated to your NLB service.

Upgrade Your Hardware and Software

Sometimes, the limitation isn’t your internet—it’s your device:

• Device Age: Not all wireless devices can handle the higher bandwidth of fiber internet. Older Amazon Firesticks, older generation smartphones, and older TVs may not run any faster because their electronics are not set up for ultra-high bandwidth. Consider upgrading your hardware to take full advantage of your amazing new internet service.
• Browser Current? Do you have the latest version of Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or whatever browser you prefer? Older versions might not be able to handle faster speeds. Updates are free and only take a few minutes!

Eliminate Signal Interference

Wi-Fi signals can be affected by interference:

• Electronic Devices: Wi-Fi signals can be affected by interference from other electronic devices, neighboring networks, and physical obstacles like walls and furniture.
• Appliances: Appliances are a big culprit. For example, a refrigerator might block some of the signal, reducing internet performance if you’re trying to hop online in the kitchen.

Disconnect Your VPN for Testing

• VPN Effect: If you route your internet traffic through a VPN and run a speed test, you are testing the VPN’s connection speed, not your Norwood Light Broadband internet speed. This will give you a false reading.
• Solution: Disconnect your VPN and run the speed test again. How fast your internet runs through a VPN is entirely up to the VPN connection and servers.

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Need Hands-On Help?

If you’ve followed these steps and are still experiencing frustratingly slow speeds, contact us! We’ll help you get to the bottom of it. Call Norwood Light Broadband Tech Support at 781-948-1150, option 2.