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Checking transmission speed is important knowledge when subscribing to Internet service. This article will guide you through simple and effective ways to check WiFi network speed on your computer.
In cases where WiFi speed on your phone is weak or your phone cannot connect to WiFi, you can explore the article: Phone unable to connect to WiFi.
1. Instances When Network Speed Testing is Necessary
You should test network speed in the following cases:
+ Checking if your WiFi speed aligns with the package provided by the network provider.
+ Testing stability when you want to watch movies, play games, etc.
Moreover, when encountering any issues with Internet usage, checking network speed is essential.
Testing network speed is a must-do task
2. Essential Metrics to Know About WiFi Network Speed
WiFi routers currently available for sale on Mytour:Latency (Ping Rate)
Ping is a tool used in computer networks over TCP/IP to check if it can connect to a specific server.
Moreover, Ping estimates the round-trip delay time for sending data packets as well as the rate of data packet loss between two devices.
Further reference: What is Ping? How to check Ping speed and the significance of these metrics.
Download Velocity
Download velocity refers to the speed at which content is retrieved from the internet to your device. Whether you're downloading a movie or accessing a website, it's all about download speed. This metric is crucial as it indicates whether your device's data retrieval is fast or slow. Download velocity is measured in Mbps (megabits per second).
Download speed depends on the subscription package you have with your internet service provider, as well as various factors such as cable quality, network equipment, whether it's through LAN or WiFi, and more.
Upload Velocity
In contrast to download speed, this is the process of uploading content from your device to the internet. This metric indicates whether your device's data upload is fast or slow, measured in Mbps (megabits per second).
Key aspects to know about WiFi network speed
3. Important considerations when testing WiFi network speed
The WiFi router models currently available at Mytour:Utilize Reliable Speed Testing Tools
If your internet service provider offers such a service, you can use their tool. Additionally, if you use Netflix and want to check your home WiFi, you can use Netflix's Fast.com.
Moreover, you can also use reputable desktop utilities, which will be mentioned in the latter part of this article.
Perform Speed Tests Multiple Times
Your WiFi speed might not be stable, so it's advisable to conduct multiple speed tests to obtain the most accurate results regarding the actual internet speed being used.
Test at the Right Time
The number of users accessing the internet affects internet speed. During peak hours, when many users are accessing simultaneously, you'll experience slower speeds compared to off-peak hours.
If you want to assess performance during peak hours, test during both peak and off-peak times, then compare the results. However, if you only want to check overall speed, choose off-peak hours for testing.
Conduct speed tests multiple times, at different times of the day.
Test at the Right Location
Choosing the wrong location to test your WiFi speed will also affect your results. First, determine your testing purpose, then consider the location as follows:
- If measuring WiFi speed: You should stand near the router for testing.
- If you want to find the optimal router placement: Test each room, each position, and observe which room has the strongest signal and which has the weakest. Then choose a router location so that the signal between rooms is not significantly different.
- If you want to identify weak signal or WiFi dropout spots: Test at areas with signal obstruction, locations far from the router, and compare with results under ideal conditions (when closer). If the results are not satisfactory, consider expanding WiFi coverage range.
Turn off devices during testing
Multiple devices connected to the wireless network and bandwidth being distributed among them can affect the connection speed on each device. For the best test results, you should turn off or disconnect other devices and ensure that no device is downloading, uploading large files, or handling heavy tasks.
Reboot Your Computer Before Testing
Computers running for extended periods may have background applications running, which can slow down machine performance and affect your ping rate. Therefore, before proceeding with the test, reboot your computer and refrain from running other applications.
Avoid Using VPN During Testing
Other factors like VPNs, proxies, data-saving apps, etc., can also slow down your connection. Ensure you've turned them all off before testing network speed for the most accurate results.
Tips for Testing WiFi Network Speed
4. How to Test Network Speed on Computer
Check Network Speed via Speedtest.net Website
Step 1: Visit the Speedtest HERE website.
Step 2: Click on GO.
Check Network Speed via Speedtest.net Website
Step 3: View the results.
The process may take a few minutes or a few seconds depending on your connection speed. Once the test is complete, you'll see an interface with statistical parameters: Ping, Download speed, and Upload speed.
View the network speed test results
Check Network Speed via Speedcheck.org Website
Step 1: Visit the Speedcheck HERE website.
Step 2: Click on Start Test.
Check network speed via Speedcheck.org website
Step 3: View the results.
The process may take a few minutes or seconds depending on your connection speed. Once the test is complete, you'll see an interface displaying latency, Download and Upload speeds, as well as information about the network you're using.
View network speed test results via Speedcheck website
Check Network Speed Using Command Prompt
Step 1: Type cmd into the search bar > Select Run as administrator to open Command Prompt with admin privileges.
Open Command Prompt with admin privileges
Step 2: Enter the command line ping google.com > Press Enter.
Afterward, you'll see various parameters regarding the network you're using.
Parameters checked:
- Bytes: Default packet size when sending.
- Time: Waiting time, the delay when browsing the web.
- TTL (Time to Live): For Windows operating systems, the maximum TTL is 128; for Linux, Unix operating systems, the maximum TTL is 64. Each time it passes through a router, the TTL will be reduced by 1.
- Lost: If this value is 0, it means your bandwidth is not interfered by the network provider.
Check network speed using Command Prompt
Check WiFi signal strength using PowerShell
Step 1: Press Windows + X keys > Click on Windows PowerShell (Admin).
Open PowerShell
Step 2: In the PowerShell window, type the command (netsh wlan show interfaces) -Match '^s+Signal' -Replace '^s+Signals+:s+',' > Press Enter.
The PowerShell window will display the precise WiFi signal strength of the router for you. For example, in the image below, it shows 100%.
Check WiFi signal strength using PowerShell
5. Suggestions after network speed test
- If after testing network speed, you find discrepancies with what the Internet service provider promised in the contract, contact them for clarification.
- If the speed is as expected but you still experience slower than usual speeds, it could be due to issues with the network provider's connection.
- If you want to download movies or heavy files, it's best to choose times with fewer users, such as at night when there are fewer users, the network is stable for faster download speeds.
Suggestions after testing network speed
6. Addressing some questions about network speed testing
Why do speed tests yield different results?
- Response: Network speed can be unstable, so the results may vary with each test. To get an accurate view of WiFi speed on your computer, you need to perform multiple tests and estimate based on the average value.
How fast is Mbps considered fast?
- Response: The answer depends on your network usage purposes. If you frequently download, upload data, and perform heavy tasks, you'll need more Mbps. Most telecommunications providers nowadays offer Internet packages with a minimum of 15Mbps.
How to check network speed on a phone?
- Response: You can utilize the Speedtest by Ookla app to check network speed on your phone, including Ping, download speed, upload speed, and it also allows tracking test history and sharing results with others. The app supports both iPhone and Android phones, and it's quite easy to use.
Additional reference: How to check network speed on iPhone using the Speedtest by Ookla app.
How to improve network speed?
- Response: There are several ways to enhance network speed such as updating router, checking your home Internet speed, upgrading Internet package, relocating router position within the house, purchasing additional WiFi signal boosters, changing router's WiFi broadcasting channel, etc.
Refer to the article: 6 methods to enhance WiFi network speed for efficient home studying and working.
Place the router in an appropriate position.
Thus, the article has guided you to quickly and effectively check the WiFi network on your computer. Best wishes for your successful implementation!
