You need a fast and reliable WiFi Speed Test to share large files, stream movies, and have video conferences. Just because your internet service provider (TMIS) claims that your WiFi is fast, that doesn’t mean you will achieve those advertised speeds. If you want to see how fast your WiFi connection really is, here’s how to test your WiFi speed, and what good download and upload speeds are, what ping is, and what jitter is.
Understanding Wi-Fi Speed Test Results?
There are three core tests you can perform to measure the overall health and speed of your internet connection. Those three tests are download, upload, and ping.Ping tests are related to network latency. Latency is the amount of time it takes for a packet of data to travel from one computer to another over the network.This is related to upload and download tests anyway, so isn’t necessary for most users to perform ping tests. However, for gamers, where latency can lead to significant lag in network gaming, ping tests are very important.
Download tests show you how quickly your computer can transfer content from the internet to your computer. This includes time it’ll take to stream content from video streaming services to your computer or downloading files.Upload tests will let you know how long it’ll take to transfer files or other content from your computer to the internet. For example, uploading files from your computer to your Google Drive or other cloud storage account.All speed test tools will provide you with download and upload speeds in megabits per second (Mbps) and sometimes also ping time in milliseconds (ms).
Best Online Wi-Fi Speed Tests?
There are many free tools available that will give you accurate speed results.
A few of the best online tools include:
This service is offered by Wifi speed and lets you perform parallel stream tests for accurate speeds, or a single connection mode to simulate downloading a single, large file.
AT&T offers this quick browser-based test to measure accurate upload and download speeds between your computer and the internet.
This web-based speed test has one of the coolest user interfaces of any available online tool.
This service offers three distinct tests for specifically measuring download and upload speeds, and an automatic speed test that measures your internet speed over a period of time.
One of the easiest online tests you can perform is the one at Fast.com. All you must do to run the test is visit the site!
What to Avoid During WiFi Speed Test Download?
While it may seem simple - you visit the site, click the button and receive your Wifi speed back within seconds - it’s far from that easy. Unfortunately, many factors lead to a slower internet connection, which significantly affects performance and site speeds, resulting in inaccurate results.
Placement -Avoid performing a test from a device that is far from the router. Wall materials and other large objects can decrease or block your WiFi signal. Perform the test from the location where the router is strongest.
Slow Devices - Avoid running site speed tests from older devices and computers. These models may use older style network cards that are not capable of processing your internet provider’s speeds. Always run tests from multiple devices in different areas of your home. It’s best to take all the test results and average them together.
Applications - If you’re running large applications, such as streaming a movie while you’re running the test - these applications will be taking up a substantial portion of the bandwidth. Check your device first to see if it’s running any obvious or background applications and close these out before performing your test.
Internal Network Traffic - If you have several devices connected to the internet when you try to perform your test, you’ll get skewed results. For the best results, turn off all devices (or put them in airplane mode) to perform your first test. Then you can later turn on any devices that you regularly have connected to determine how these impact your internet signal. Common causes of slower speeds may relate to interference, baby monitors, etc.
External Network Traffic - Neighbors can have an influence over your WiFi speeds, which is what we have seen in some areas with more people working remotely due to coronavirus. External network traffic influences speed more in higher density city areas. You may need to upgrade to a 5Ghz connection instead of the standard 2.4Ghz to improve your speed. Perform multiple tests throughout the day to see if there are better days and times where your internet performance is higher. Make sure you are on the right internet channel too.
Common Mistakes to Avoid During Wifi Speed Tests?
An internet speed test seems simple enough. You visit a site, run the test, and get an accurate measurement of upload and download speeds to and from your computer.The reality is that it isn’t that simple. There are many factors that can slow down your internet connection and affect your measurements and provide inaccurate results.
How to Use Wi-Fi Speed Tests
Make sure that your router settings are correct and optimized.
Troubleshoot your in-home Wi-Fi configuration before blaming your ISP.
Call your ISP and report the problem. They may need to send you a replacement router.
Ultimately, just accepting and dealing with slow Wifi or slow internet speed isn’t a good option.
It can affect your enjoyment of streaming video and music services, drag your online gaming to a crawl, and make your overall internet experience miserable.
So run a few speed tests and make sure you’re getting the speeds that you’re paying for.
How to Do a WiFi Speed Test?
To test your WiFi speed, open any browser on your computer, phone, or tablet. Then visit Testmyinternetspeed.org, and click Go. To get the best results, you can repeat the WiFi speed test in different locations multiple times a day.
Open any browser on your computer, phone, or tablet. To get the most accurate results, disconnect as many of your other devices from your WiFi network as possible. It also helps to only have one browser tab open and to close all other applications on your device.
Then visit -Testmyinternetspeed.org, This page lets you run a speed test as many times as you want for free.
Next, click Go and wait for the test to finish. The speed test will show you the download speed, upload speed, ping, and jitter of your internet connection (more on what these terms mean below).
Finally, repeat the WiFi speed test. To make sure that your speed test is accurate, you will want to repeat the WiFi speed test in different parts of your home or office at different times of the day. Your download and upload speeds, ping, and jitter might change depending on your network congestion, interference from nearby networks, and more.