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Check your internet speed on Windows and Mac computers
Are you noticing slow download speeds, causing you to question the actual speed of your Internet connection? Understanding your true Internet speed is crucial for diagnosing issues or verifying if your ISP is meeting their promised speeds. This Mytour guide provides instructions on how to measure both upload and download speeds of your Internet connection, as well as the speed between your computer and router.
Key Points to Remember
- Access a speed test website using a web browser on your computer, phone, or tablet, and review the results.
- To test your router's internet speed, connect your computer to the router using an Ethernet cable, then navigate to the 'Settings' to view the internet speed.
- If your internet speed is fast but you're experiencing slow performance on your devices, troubleshoot your router settings.
Steps to Follow
Conducting an Internet Speed Test
Visit the Google Speed Test page. Access a Google search page by entering https://www.google.com in your web browser or launch the Google app on your device and search for internet speed test. This action will display an 'Internet speed test' window at the top of your Google search results.
- You can perform this procedure on a computer, Android smartphone, tablet, iPhone, or iPad.
- This approach utilizes Google's built-in internet speed testing tool. Alternatively, you can use Fast.com, Speedtest by Ookla, or Spectrum's Speed Test if you prefer different options.
- Consider trying various speed test websites if the results do not match your browsing or streaming experience expectations. Results may vary across different sites depending on your location.
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Luigi Oppido
Computer & Tech Specialist
Computer & Tech Specialist
For a more precise measurement, you can use a device that directly connects to your modem. However, in most situations, checking through a reliable website is sufficient to give you a good estimate of your speed.
Click RUN SPEED TEST. Look for the blue button located in the bottom-right corner of the 'Internet speed test' panel.
Wait for the speed test to finish. Google will measure your Internet connection's upload speed, download speed, and latency.
Check the test results. Besides indicating whether your Internet speed is classified as 'fast' or 'slow', Google measures three components of your Internet speed:
- Mbps download - The rate at which megabits per second can be downloaded through your connection.
- Mbps upload - The rate at which megabits per second can be uploaded through your connection.
- Latency - The time it takes, in milliseconds, for your Internet connection to respond to a command (e.g., a search query or loading a webpage).
Checking Internet Speed on Windows
Ensure your computer is linked to your router. For examining your Internet speed through your computer's settings, connect your computer to your router using an Ethernet cable.
Tap on Ethernet. This option is located on the left side of the window. This action will open your Ethernet settings.
Select Change adapter options. This option is located in the upper-right corner of the window.
Double-click the Ethernet connection. Look for the monitor-shaped icon at the top of the Network Connections window.
Check the 'Speed' value. You'll find it near the bottom of the information in the 'Connections' section on the Ethernet Status window. The number displayed here (e.g., '90.0 Mbps') indicates the speed of the connection between your computer and the router.
Checking Internet Speed on Mac
Ensure your computer is connected to your router. To check your Internet speed from your computer's settings, you need to link your computer to your router using an Ethernet cable.
Enter 'network utility' in Spotlight, then press ⏎ Return. This action will launch the Network Utility app.
Click the Info tab. It's located at the far-left side on the top of the Network Utility window.
Choose your Ethernet connection. Select the box under the 'Select a network interface for information' section, then choose the name of your Ethernet connection.
Check the 'Link Speed' number. Look for something like '100 Mbit/s' which indicates the data transfer speed between your computer and router is 100 megabits per second.
Troubleshooting
Use a wired connection. If your wireless connection is lagging, switch to a wired connection (usually Ethernet) to improve your Internet speed.
Reboot your Wi-Fi access point. Sometimes, restarting routers or Wi-Fi devices can resolve performance issues caused by glitches or connectivity problems.
- If your Internet speed tests fine but you're experiencing Wi-Fi lag on your laptop, try restarting your router or modem.
Test another network. Connect to a different network to determine if the issue is with your device or the network itself, and then check the Internet speed of that network.
Keep your gateway updated. While we regularly update our devices, we often overlook updating our routers or gateways. An outdated router may negatively affect your Internet speed.
- For instance, if your modem is several years old and you've upgraded your Internet speed recently, your old modem may not support the new speeds, resulting in slower connections.
Perform a malware scan on your device. Slow Internet speeds can sometimes be caused by malware on your system. Install an antivirus program with a built-in malware scanner to address this issue.
Report slow speeds to your ISP. If none of the previous steps resolve your slow Internet issues, contact your ISP to discuss your Internet speed concerns. They may be able to assist you in troubleshooting.
Tips
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Your actual Internet connection speed is often lower than your router's maximum speed. Using Ethernet allows you to maximize your router's speed.
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Common benchmarks include: 5 Megabits per second for HD streaming and 90 kilobits per second for VOIP calling.
Important Notes
- Your Internet speed will never be faster than either your router's maximum speed or the maximum speed allowed by your Internet plan--whichever is slower.
