How To Check Your Internet Speed (3 Different Ways)

To ensure you get accurate results, consider performing the speed test during non-peak hours. If you’re testing your home internet connection, try doing it early in the day while most people are at work — the possibility of neighborhoods having the same ISPs is high, and when people are all at home doing a variety of things online, slower-than-average speeds may be normal.

You also need to ensure that you stop downloading or uploading any files while the test is going on. Close down any websites or apps related to streaming audio and video. Disconnect and exit your VPN client if you use one. Rebooting the device you plan to use to check your internet speed is also highly recommended for a clean slate, so to speak.

Finally, prepare to run different speed tests at different times of the day so you have more information to give whoever will diagnose the cause of your sluggish connection. Note that different speed test providers may give you different results and that any test that you run will only be relevant to the device you’re using to check.

For a more thorough process, check your internet speed on your laptop or desktop computer as well as on your mobile phone or tablet. Run tests on your computer while it’s connected to your Wi-Fi and directly connected to the router via an Ethernet cable and compare results.