How to increase your download speed on PC
By Shia Mitchell - 1 October 2024
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Increasing your PC computer download speed
Whether you’re working from home and need to review a long report or want to download a new game on Steam and enjoy a gaming session, it’s reasonable to expect large downloads to be complete after making a cup of tea at the very least.
If you return to your desk and find your PC is still processing the download, there’s no need to admit defeat and accept the same download speeds we saw in the early 2000s.
Our guide covers some of the main causes of slow download speeds and provides some tips to try and correct the issue and get you back to work — or play.
Four factors that can affect your download speed
There are several reasons why your download speed is slower than you expect, from the number of people in your house to the broadband package itself.
We’ve outlined a few of the common culprits below:
PC health and age
Older PCs with an outdated operating system might find it hard to keep up with advanced software. Unfortunately, old PCs can’t be taught new tricks and could be stopping you from experiencing the full benefits of your newest game.
Viruses and malware use up a lot of data. If you’re seeing a significant slowdown in speed, despite your activities being unchanged, it could suggest something malicious working in the background of your PC and slowing down performance.
Having lots of programs and apps open puts unnecessary pressure on your CPU, and makes it work extra hard to keep up with the demands of each.
Number of connected devices
Your internet speed is shared across all devices — this is referred to as bandwidth.
The more devices connected to your home network, the more your bandwidth is stretched and less speed will be available to your PC. This includes smartphones, smart TVs, tablets, and even smart appliances.
If there are several people in your household, they may have a few devices of their own. While there is no limit on the number of devices that can be connected, your bandwidth can only go so far.
Type of connection
Connecting to your broadband with a wired connection delivers much faster upload and download speeds. If you’re connected through WiFi, this will result in slower speeds.
Perhaps your PC is in a different room to your WiFi router — possibly with several floors between you blocking your WiFi signal. These physical barriers can’t be torn down obviously, but there are ways to boost your signal in your home.
The combination of using WiFi when you are also physically far away from your router is doubly challenging for speed — a very common challenge that could be avoided with reliable technology such as Mesh WiFi.
Internet service provider
The broadband service itself could be a challenge. Some providers may be delivering poor connections over old copper cable connections — some of which were laid over 100 years ago!
Full fibre broadband is much faster and more reliable and is available to millions of homes. There’s still a long way to go to roll out full fibre to every property, especially in rural areas. But, if your broadband is still using copper, it’s worth reaching out to your provider about upgrading.
Your broadband package could also be holding you back. Some plans come with a data limit, which could be slowing you down to prevent you from going over your allowance. Or possibly, the speed of your plan simply isn’t enough to keep up with the demands of your entire household.
Four ways to increase your download speed on PC
Now that we’ve looked into some of the reasons your download speed is slower than you need, let’s see what you can do to improve it. Here are our tips:
1. Optimise your PC
Sometimes simply turning your PC off and on again will do the trick. A restart will close down any background programs that you may have forgotten about but could have slowed down your PC performance.
Keeping your apps, programs, and operating system up to date will allow your PC to perform at its best and run everything more smoothly. So if you’re consistently dismissing the update notifications, it could be time to get everything up to their current versions.
Top off your PC health by installing antivirus software and taking other security measures to protect your device from unauthorised downloads.
2. Disconnect unnecessary devices
Reduce pressure on your bandwidth by temporarily disconnecting your smartphone from the WiFi while you complete a large download.
Look around your house for any unnecessary excessive use of your broadband. Perhaps someone in your house is letting Netflix autoplay episodes of Friends (again), but they’re actually watching a YouTube video on their phone instead of watching the TV.
If your download speed is only sufficient when nothing else is connected, this is bound to be frustrating for anyone else who also needs to use the internet at the same time. Consider reviewing your overall broadband plan and upgrading to a faster package to find a speed that suits your household.
3. Boost your connection
Try connecting to your broadband network with an Ethernet cable to eliminate any speed being lost over WiFi.
Ethernet cables need to be plugged into your router and your PC, which could be a challenge if they are in different rooms without a pre-existing port on the wall. However, PCs are stationary by design. Once you’re happy with your computer setup, you can arrange to get a port installed or run a cable between rooms.
Your signal can be improved with Mesh WiFi technology, which is more reliable and secure than typical WiFi extenders. Community Fibre uses Mesh technology to guarantee Premium WiFi for our customers, guaranteeing a signal in the rooms that matter most (12 rooms in total with up to five bedrooms across a maximum of three floors).
4. Find the best broadband to increase your download speed
If your current provider is unable to offer full fibre to you or your plan is limiting your online activities, consider switching to a competitor who can offer you the package you need. Look for a provider which can guarantee full fibre broadband for the fastest and most reliable connection.
Community Fibre delivers 100% full fibre broadband to London, Surrey and Sussex-based customers with unbeatable speeds and outstanding value. We provide symmetrical upload and download speeds so you can expect a consistent and smooth experience, whether you rely on the internet for work or simply want to enjoy the latest online games.
Download speed FAQs
Why is my download speed slow even though I have fast internet?
The speed you see advertised for broadband packages is usually indicative of speeds over a wired connection. Most of us connect to our broadband over WiFi, which delivers slower upload and download speeds.
Run an online speed test to see the speeds your broadband is providing, and try some of the tips in our guide above to resolve the slow speeds.
What is a good download speed?
A download speed of around 10 Mbps should be enough to support moderate internet usage, such as streaming movies. You’ll benefit from faster speeds for gaming, especially if you often play online.
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