Slow WiFi or Mobile Data! Why Internet Speed Test Apps Are Essential

If you ever want to aggravate someone to an extreme degree, just force them to use a slow and unstable internet connection. They will lose their marbles within the hour.

Unfortunately, “slow” internet can hit anyone out of nowhere. After all, there are so many reasons that can cause your connection speed to slow down. To solve the problem, you need to understand it first.

This brings us to internet speed tests. Modern speed test apps and tools can provide a lot of information that is vital to diagnosing internet issues.

In this article, we’ll explore why speed testing is so important, what these apps actually measure, and how they can help you troubleshoot everyday connectivity issues.

What Do Speed Test Apps Measure?

Speed test apps don’t just measure your internet speed. They also provide data on other network statistics that are necessary for troubleshooting. Here are the details of what most speed test apps measure.

• Download Speed.

This measures how quickly you can pull data from the internet. The faster your download speed, the faster you can get data from the internet. This affects video playback, website load speed, and, of course, file download speed.

It is measured in Kilobits, Megabits, or Gigabits per second.

• Upload Speed.

This is the speed at which you can send data to a server or computer via the internet. This affects the speed at which you can upload files (photos, documents, videos), send emails, and send audio and video during video conferencing.

It has the same units of measurement as download speed.

• Latency (Ping).

Ping or latency is the measure of how much time it takes for a single data packet to travel from your device to a target computer/server. It is measured in milliseconds (ms).

Low latency is required for voice calls, video calls, streaming, and other things that happen live. A high latency means there is a perceived lag, which is very annoying to experience.

• Jitter & Packet Loss.

Jitter and packet loss refer to dropped packets during transmission. Dropped packets need to be resent, and that causes a noticeable increase in latency because packets essentially take more time to travel.

Jitter and packet loss are measured in percentage. Ideally, there should be zero jitter, but on WiFi and poor-quality cables, interference from external waves can cause signals to deteriorate and consequently increase packet drop.

How Speed Tests Work

In a wifi speed test, the tool/app sends a set number of packets to a test server (usually nearby). The server then sends some packets in response.

By testing both uploads and downloads, the app/tool provides insight into your internet’s real-world performance.

Most speed tests allow you to select specific servers to test against, so you can check whether your ping and jitter are due to your internet or due to bad servers.

How To Use A Speed Test For Troubleshooting

Sometimes when we are experiencing slow internet, the fault can belong to three different culprits: you, your ISP, and the website you are using. A WiFi speed test can help you determine who to blame.

Here’s how you can use them to determine the cause of your slow internet.

1.     Validate Your Plan

First thing to do is to check if you are getting the advertised speeds. Do a speed test to see that your average download and upload speeds are according to your subscribed package. If you are not getting the right speeds, then it’s time for step 2.

2.     Identifying Bottlenecks

First, run a speed test on your phone while you are connected to the WiFi. Then do the same speed test on a different device, but on the same WiFi. This is to check that any slowness is not caused by your devices.

Then disconnect all devices from the WiFi and run a speed test on only one device. If the speed changes, it means your WiFi is congested. If not, then the problem is most likely due to your ISP, router, or something else.

3.     Comparing Networks

Then compare the WiFi speed with your mobile carrier’s speed. To do that, disconnect your phone from the WiFi and reconnect via mobile data. Then do the speed test again.

If your carrier speed is way higher than your WiFi speed, once again, the fault is probably with your ISP, router, or even the distance from the router.

4.     Use A Wire And Change Router Position

Sometimes, WiFi signals become weak due to interference. This weakness means that packets are dropped and need to be resent. To the end user, this appears as a lot of packet loss and sometimes, even as reduced speed.

To rule out interference, use these two tests:

• Connect a PC/Laptop with an Ethernet cable and do a speed test.
• Move your phone close to the WiFi router and do the speed test.

If your speed increases, then it means your WiFi signals are experiencing interference or the router simply doesn’t have enough power to throw signals reliably over a large area.

So, try shifting your router to a place where the signals are received less interference from Bluetooth devices, microwave ovens, and where there are fewer obstacles like walls and doors.

5.     Tracking Performance Over Time

Speed tests help you notice patterns. For example, if your speed always drops in the evening, it may be network congestion on your ISP’s side.

If you notice such behavior, then understand it is normal, especially for low-tier ISPs. You can fix that by shifting to a higher-tier ISP instead.

Other Common Causes of Slow WiFi or Mobile Data

Your internet speed can suffer due to a variety of factors. Some of them you can influence, others are beyond your immediate control. Learning about them makes it easier to troubleshoot internet issues and find a proper solution.

So here are some of the common factors that can slow internet speeds.

• Router Issues: Outdated hardware, bad placement, or interference.
• ISP Throttling: Some providers intentionally limit speeds after a certain data cap.
• Congested Networks: Too many users on the same WiFi or cell tower.
• Device Problems: Background apps, malware, or outdated network drivers.

To fix these issues, update your router, limit the number of devices that can connect to it, and make sure that the firewalls and antivirus software on your devices are up to date.

Conclusion: Why Internet Speed Test Apps Are Essential

Slow internet doesn’t have to be a mystery. With speed test apps, you get hard data that helps you diagnose the problem and push your ISP for better service if needed.

Some simple tests are all that’s needed to find out what’s happening. So,  the next time your WiFi lags or your mobile data crawls, you know exactly what to do.