Internet throttling: your ISP could be responsible for your slow Wi-Fi connection

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This story is part of Home Tips, CNET’s collection of practical tips for getting the most out of your home, inside and out.

There are many reasons why your internet might be moving slowly. This could be due to an outdated router or a less than ideal router location. You might be able to fix slow speed issues with a simple fix, like upgrading to a mesh network (which also needs to be set up in the right place) or simply restarting your modem and router. But if you’ve already tried many of these proven methods and your internet speeds are still below average, the problem could be something your internet service provider is intentionally doing: bandwidth throttling.

Yes, you read that right. Your ISP might be intentionally slowing down your Wi-Fi. Due to a 2019 Supreme Court ruling in which the court refused to hear a net neutrality appeal, ISPs can still legally choke your internet, limiting your broadband if you stream more TV than they want and serving slower connections to websites owned by their competitors. .

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One solution to slow Wi-Fi (if it’s caused by internet throttling) is a virtual private network. Basically, ISPs need to see your IP address to slow down your internet, and a good VPN will protect that identity – although it does come with some limitations and drawbacks, which I’ll discuss below. We’ll walk you through how to determine if throttling is to blame, and if not, what to do to fix your crummy Wi-Fi. (You can also learn more about how to get free Wi-Fi anywhere in the world.)

Step 1

First, Troubleshoot Your Slow Internet Connection

So your Wi-Fi is slow and you think your service provider is throttling your connection. Before jumping to these conclusions, it’s important to run through the usual troubleshooting list: check that your router is located in the center of your home, reposition its antennas, double-check your network security, etc. If you want to learn more about ways to optimize your Wi-Fi, check out our suggestions.

If you’ve gone through the laundry list and your Wi-Fi is still running slow, continue to the next step.

Screenshot by David Priest/CNET

2nd step

Test your Norton Internet speed

Step 3

Find a reliable VPN Screenshot by David Priest/CNET

Step 4

Compare your speed with the VPN

Then test your internet speed somewhere like Fast.com or Speedtest.net. Compare the results with the same test when your VPN is active. Using any VPN should significantly reduce your speed, so speed tests should show a gap, with active VPN speed significantly slower than idle VPN speed. But a VPN also hides the IP address that providers use to identify you, so if your speed test with the VPN is faster than without the VPN, it could mean your ISP is targeting your IP address for throttling.

Screenshot by David Priest/CNET

OK, that’s the hardest part. Even if you find out that your provider is throttling your Internet connection, there might not be much you can do. Many people in the United States live in areas with ISP monopolies or duopolies, so you may not be able to find a better provider. But here are some helpful answers:

If you have options, use the best provider in your area. Measurement Lab provides a good resource for finding information specific to your region, and it can guide you to a more reliable ISP. Use your VPN to maintain more consistent speeds. A VPN can’t fix a bad connection or other reasons for your slow service, but it can alleviate throttling from unscrupulous ISPs. Call your provider and threaten to switch providers if they don’t stop throttling your internet. It may sound old fashioned and I can’t guarantee lasting results, but vendors have responded positively to such tactics when I have used them.

Learn about the best VPNs to use when working from home, the fastest VPNs, and VPNs you can try for free before you buy. And here are the best broadband ISPs and the best Wi-Fi repeater for almost everyone.

Correction, February 10, 2020: This article previously incorrectly attributed the 2019 ruling on net neutrality to the Supreme Court, rather than the DC Circuit Court which decided the case. The Supreme Court declined to hear the appeal.

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