What Is Internet Throttling & How to Fix It (2024)

What is throttling?

“Throttling” is the term for when your internet speed is intentionally slowed down. Nearly every internet service provider (ISP) occasionally does this practice. Internet throttling frees up bandwidth for additional customers, but your internet provider will not tell you when data throttling is taking place.

However, you can assume your speed is throttled if you notice a sudden drop in internet speed. ISP throttling is especially common when more people are online, such as evenings or weekends.

Can your ISP throttle your internet on purpose?

It is within your ISP’s rights to throttle your speed, and this rule is typically explained in the fine print of your provider’s acceptable use policies. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) disallows reducing internet speed based on what the user is doing online but permits internet providers control over “reasonable network management.”

Therefore, an ISP may perform bandwidth throttling for various reasons, including:

• Accommodating more customers.
• Keeping up with network congestion.
• Making up for outdated infrastructure that cannot support all subscribers.

How to know if your Wi-Fi is being throttled

Bandwidth throttling happens more frequently on mobile devices than on home internet connections. Mobile networks are also more susceptible to surges in use, especially during major events (weather emergencies, holidays, etc.). You can tell if internet throttling is occurring at your home by performing a speed test.

Try these steps to find out if your home Wi-Fi service is affected by data throttling.

How to test for internet throttling

An easy way to test for bandwidth throttling is by running two speed tests, one with and one without a Virtual Private Network (VPN). A VPN gives you an extra layer of security when browsing online.

If you get a faster internet speed when you run the speed test while connected to a VPN, your ISP might be throttling your speed. Make sure that you run both tests at the same time of day on the same device and without any other devices connected to the internet to get accurate results.

Some ISPs can tell when you are running a speed test and may inflate your speed temporarily to give you a better result, but a VPN prevents this by obscuring what you are doing online.

Other signs of internet throttling

Even the best internet providers may use bandwidth throttling to control network congestion. If your provider has data caps or the right to slow your internet speed down, it must be declared in the details of your internet plan. For example, Spectrum throttling involves controlling congestion by managing users with “disproportionately high internet usage.”

Data throttling could be occurring if you notice:

• Buffering or lag while gaming or streaming.
• Slower internet speeds during evenings or weekends.
• Slower internet speeds closer to the end of your billing cycle.

How to fix bandwidth throttling issues

End your internet throttling by following these simple fixes:

Use a VPN

The problem: Your internet provider can track what you are doing online. If you frequently use much more data than the average user by gaming, streaming or torrenting (sharing large files), your provider might even send you a warning letter about your high data usage. ISPs can also throttle high-use households to decrease their bandwidth consumption.

The solution: A VPN is the quickest way to get around your ISP surveillance. Highly-rated VPNs include Surfshark and NordVPN. Each option has various plans that cost around $3–$6/mo. and include a 30-day free trial.

Upgrade your internet plan

The problem: Your internet provider could be throttling your speed if you have a soft data limit. Many ISPs have cheap internet plans for light internet users that include data caps. When you exceed this limit, your speed is slowed down. For example, Xfinity throttling policy details a slower internet speed after 50 GB of data this process on several of its mobile internet deals.

The solution: Upgrade your internet to a plan with a higher data limit. Some providers, like Astound, Mediacom or Hughesnet, include more data with their faster plans. While you don’t necessarily need internet over 1 GB, updating your plan to one that fits your needs better should extend the lifespan of your monthly high-speed data.

Switch to a different internet provider

The problem: You’ve tried other solutions with your current ISP, but you continue to experience internet throttling slowdowns on your network.

The solution: Switching to another high-speed internet provider is sometimes the best option to avoid data throttling. Dedicated connections, like fiber internet, are less likely to throttle your service since you don’t have to share your bandwidth with neighbors. For example, Verizon throttling is rare, as is Google Fiber or Fiber. Plus, each of these providers offers no-contract internet plans.

What else could be affecting your Wi-Fi speeds?

Throttling isn’t the only culprit for slow Wi-Fi speeds. Investigate these issues in your home if you need to fix slow internet or Wi-Fi that’s not working.

• Put your Wi-Fi router in a better location.
• Upgrade your Wi-Fi router.
• Reevaluate what a good internet speed is for your home.

Internet throttling FAQs

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