Isn’t it frustrating when your AT&T internet connection becomes so slow just when you need it most? We’ve all experienced it. Due to frequent buffering, I had trouble watching my favorite online shows on my home network. However, below are some magical solutions to fix your slow internet speed on ATT connection.
When I became frustrated with the AT&T slow speed of my home Wi-Fi internet, I decided to take matters into my own hands and try to identify the cause. Indeed, there are various reasons for ATT slow internet speed as mentioned below.
My network slowed down because I had several devices connected to it around the house.
The slow AT&T internet problem was solved by unplugging the devices not in immediate use and only keeping the ones I actually needed.
The AT&T internet slow speed had improved after restarting the router to clear the cache, which resulted in uninterrupted video streaming. I was able to enjoy my favorite shows again.
You’re in the right place if you’re having trouble with Wi-Fi connectivity and AT&T internet slow speed issues.
In this article, we examine the root causes of poor network connectivity and provide steps to troubleshoot such issues like ATT slow internet speed.
If your AT&T Internet is slow, try rebooting your router and disconnecting any extra devices first. In addition, try using an Ethernet connection, scanning your computer for malware, moving your router, updating your system drivers, and disabling VPN services.
Table of Contents
There are a number of reasons why AT&T internet speed is slow:
At&T internet issues can be caused by router problems, running background applications, using devices with low performance, or choosing an Internet plan too slow to handle daily tasks.
AT&T Internet speeds are slow for the following reasons.
Restricted Bandwidth
AT&T can intentionally reduce bandwidth for the following reasons.
Your AT&T internet speed may be reduced if you exceed the bandwidth limit in your plan. In the case of 10Mbps, if you have exceeded your data allowance, AT&T can reduce the allotted bandwidth, resulting in slow internet.
As a result of network congestion, AT&T may also place restrictions during peak times. Service providers use these practices to keep everyone connected and avoid straining the network.
An excessive number of devices are connected:
Too many devices connected to the same Wi-Fi network are the most common cause of poor connectivity and slow internet on your ATT connection.
Both a PC and smartphone connected to a 4 Mbps network will share the bandwidth equally. Each device will have 2 Mbps. This significantly reduces Wi-Fi performance.
When performing tasks that require a lot of data, it’s best for the reader to connect and use one device at a time to enjoy good internet connectivity.
Multitasking:
Multitasking increases network congestion, which reduces internet performance.
One tab of my laptop was dedicated to YouTube (not playing it) and another was dedicated to downloading a large file from my email; at the same time, I used my phone for video calls.
When I disconnected the laptop and all of its tasks from the network, I was able to remove the pixelation from the video call.
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Router malfunction:
If you experience intermittent disconnections from the internet, it may be due to a faulty router. Connect a spare router to see if the problem persists.
The network problem can be explained if it is resolved by replacing the old router with a new one.
Is the Netgear Nighthawk compatible with AT&T? Or “Can I use Google Nest WiFi on AT&T?” If those questions come to mind, then the answer is yes.
Surrounding interactions:
AT&T’s slow internet speeds are often caused by obstructions and external interferences.
Wireless signals can be easily dissipated or weakened by devices that operate in the microwave range, such as an oven, cordless phone, or walkie-talkie.
Also, I was surprised to learn that a neighbor’s Wi-Fi signal can also interfere with the wireless network at my house and reduce its strength. Moreover, removing interference near the ATT internet WIFI device can also fix the slow internet speed issue.
Internet Outage At AT&T Causes Slow Internet Speeds:
Internet outages are beyond anyone’s control, so one can only wait until the service provider addresses the disruption.
Upgrading equipment and other maintenance activities at AT&T’s end can cause internet outages, as can network congestion, digging and road work that disrupts optic fiber cables, and natural disasters that can damage network infrastructure.
AT&T slow internet speed can be fixed by following these steps:
In case you are a Do-it-Yourselfer and you like to solve problems on your own, here are some proven ways to improve the slow Wi-Fi AT&T internet speed at home.
Try rebooting the router to fix AT&T slow internet speed:
The first thing to do is to hard-boot the router, which is done by turning it off and on again manually.
(also known as a power cycle) It clears all temporary memory on the device, especially temporary IP addresses provided by the service provider.
When the router is rebooted, the network adapter is reset, which improves bandwidth and allows new data packets to be transmitted from the ISP.
Customers of AT&T internet and even computer technicians suggest this as a first step to resolving bandwidth and slow speed issues.
Remove any other connected devices to fix AT&T slow internet speed:
I found that limiting the number of devices using the home Wi-Fi network could significantly improve AT&T internet speed.
As a family or group, make sure you have enough bandwidth to accommodate each member’s data usage.
During the evenings when my parents and siblings are engaged in online activities at home, my Wi-Fi is very sluggish, but during the early morning hours when fewer people are online, my home network is very fast. In other words, less devices connect to the internet connection faster.
Switch to Ethernet to fix AT&T slow internet speed:
Ethernet cables have fewer packet losses than wireless networks.
As soon as I switched to an Ethernet connection, I noticed less interference and more stability, which led to faster AT&T internet speeds.
In addition, I was able to watch my favorite sports without any lag or buffering.
These advantages make wired connections preferred by those who perform bulky tasks such as file transfers, high-definition video, etc.
If your Ethernet connection is slower than Wi-Fi, you might have damaged cables or outdated drivers.
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Ensure you scan your system for malware:
Infected devices can consume your bandwidth by running unwanted programs in the background without your knowledge.
You should scan and protect your PC with an antivirus program.
Move your router to a new location:
You can fix bandwidth problems related to external barriers by moving the Wi-Fi router closer to your work area or by placing it in an open area.
Additionally, make sure that walls and appliances such as ovens do not interfere with the Wi-Fi signal.
The best mesh routers for AT&T Fiber or Uverse, depending on which one you have, may improve your slow AT&T internet speed and connectivity throughout your home.
Ensure that your system is up-to-date:
The newer devices come with updated drivers that process data faster and better tap into AT&T’s high-speed internet.
You can fix slow Wi-Fi connectivity by updating your PC’s network drivers.
A driver that is out of date is more likely to crash frequently. In addition, it miss out on minor bug fixes that are addressed in the latest versions.
Reset your router to fix the AT&T slow Internet problem:
By resetting the router, all customized settings are erased and the user must start from scratch when setting up connectivity.
A reset of the router resolved problems that restarting it could not resolve with its firmware.
Resetting the router can resolve firmware issues with it.
Turn off VPN services:
VPNs use proxy servers and encryption to protect user data regarding connectivity, privacy, and accessibility.
AT&T has slow internet speed because of encryption and routing of data through proxy servers, which consume a lot of internet bandwidth.
The user can increase their slow AT&T internet speed by disabling VPN services. Disabling VPN services also fixes slow AT&T internet upload speeds.
Using a Wi-Fi extender will do the trick:
You can improve Wi-Fi connectivity by using an extender. Wi-Fi extenders amplify the existing Wi-Fi signal to boost connectivity in areas with weak signals.
Get Support:
Alternatively, you can contact AT&T customer support to register a complaint about slow internet speed or to get technical assistance in restoring internet speed if none of the above methods work.
Then AT&T will look for problems on their end or send a tech team to look for issues on the end of the user.
Conclusion:
You can use the methods above whenever you experience frustrating Wi-Fi connectivity at home. Since they have been tried and tested.
Further, the steps to resolve a slow AT&T internet connection are straightforward, and they do not require working knowledge of computers, networks, or internet topology.
However, I would also recommend that you protect your network from cyberattacks and hackers who might steal your data.
AT&T restricts data or blocks certain ports when it suspects malicious activities, resulting in lower AT&T internet speeds over time.
With AT&T’s mobile app, you can monitor and optimize your home internet speed and Wi-Fi without any hassle.
Resetting your router will erase all your settings, so you will have to reconfigure it.
Do not rest your router unless you absolutely need to, and note down your settings before you do so.
FAQs
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