Why Is My Upload Speed So Slow? [11 Easy Solutions]

The best internet services have consistent down and upload speeds. While the former is more obvious when we try to download a large file, such as a 4k video or the latest Warzone update, we frequently overlook the importance of upload speed.

For example, it became clear to me last weekend how much faster upload speeds are required at work and at home. We were attempting to meet a deadline for a new project when our internet connection failed us.

That’s when I decided to devote my time to exhaustively researching ways to increase upload speed, and this article is the end result.

WHY IS MY UPLOAD SPEED SO SLOW?

Slow upload speeds are frequently caused by your internet service provider, and this is the best place to begin to try to diagnose your problem. It could, however, be caused by your router or the software you’re using, among other things.

It can also be determined by the number of internet-connected devices in your home. Many of us now work from home, which can lead to increased competition for bandwidth on your home server.

REASONS FOR SLOW UPLOAD SPEEDS

To begin, a slow upload speed can be caused by a variety of factors, none of which are beyond your control. Here’s a rundown of the usual suspects –

• Your needs may necessitate a limited bandwidth or data cap.
• A single connection is being shared by too many devices.
• Your system may contain malware or corrupted files.
• Drivers for outdated network interfaces
• Security firewall settings causing disruption
• Background apps that are actively using the network
• A business asset is subject to network restrictions imposed by the company.
• The router or modem must be upgraded or rebooted.

WHY DO YOU NEED A GOOD UPLOAD SPEED?

Upload speeds, as the name implies, determine how long it takes for a response to travel from the client-side (you) to the server-side (the backend, such as hosting on a platform or uploading content).

As a result, any files or data that you send over the internet require a fast upload speed. Higher upload speeds, for example, ensure that others can see or hear you clearly in a work-from-home situation where you spend a lot of time on Teams or Webex meetings.

It also means that your system can upload files from a local repository to a cloud server as quickly as possible. Again, if you’re a content creator, you’re probably obsessed with upload speeds.

Alternative Video: Why Are Upload Speeds So Slow?

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HOW TO FIX AND OPTIMIZE SLOW UPLOAD SPEEDS?

So, we’ve gone over all of the possible causes of your slow upload speeds above, but they’re not the only things you can try to fix the problem. How else can you compensate for slow upload speeds? Here are some examples of how you can do so.

1. FACTORY RESET YOUR ROUTER

Routers that are outdated or faulty are a major source of slow upload speeds. However, before you splurge on a brand new high-end router, you can try restoring its performance by rebooting it to factory defaults.

I’d start by turning off the router and waiting a few minutes. Allow it to cool down and clear its flash memory before turning it back on.

Remember to run speed tests to see if there is any improvement. Otherwise, you can restore the router to its factory default settings –

1. On your router, look for the Reset button. It’s usually on the back panel.
2. To reset the router, hold it down for 10 to 15 seconds. It’s possible that you’ll need a pin or a paperclip to do it.
3. The router will be reset and restarted.

You will lose your personalized network settings, including your credentials, if you return to the factory settings. However, you can reconfigure the router to your liking.

2. USE A WIRED/ETHERNET CONNECTION

WiFi is more convenient, but it is slower than a standard RJ-45 connector. If you notice slower upload speeds on your wireless connection, connect the device via ethernet. You could see an increase in performance of more than 100%.

The restriction of Ethernet cables, on the other hand, is its scope limitation. Mobile phones and tablets cannot be switched to wired connections.

As a result, if you have a dual-band router, you should consider switching to the 5GHz channel rather than the 2.4GHz channel. It reduces range while increasing transfer speeds due to increased bandwidth and lower traffic.

3. TRY UPLOADING AT DIFFERENT TIMES OF THE DAY

Millennials and older generations may discuss using the internet late at night to get faster speeds and avoid the risk of being disconnected every time someone calls the house. While dial-up connections are a thing of the past, uploading at specific times of day can still help.

Because of the increased traffic on the channels during the day, upload speeds are lower during the day. For better transfer rates, connect late at night after business hours or early in the morning. However, it is usually dependent on the Internet Service Providers and their ability to handle a large load.

4. UPGRADE YOUR INTERNET PLAN

It will be ironic if you are working around hardware and software to improve upload speed when the issue was with your internet scheme and ISP. On a limited bandwidth, you cannot achieve higher performance.

It is best to go over your requirements and choose a plan that meets both your needs and your budget. For example, if you try to run a Chromecast, a workstation, and your laptop, as well as your phone and other smart devices around the house, you may run into problems.

Consider upgrading to a higher-speed plan with a larger data cap, such as one with speeds ranging from 100Mbps to 1Gbps. A more expensive internet plan can support more devices on a shared bandwidth without significantly reducing upload speed.

5. UPGRADE YOUR HARDWARE

Older routers can deliver speeds, but they frequently lack driver support and are incapable of supporting multiple devices. Routers, like most electronic devices, need to be upgraded on a regular basis if they are to perform optimally. New routers can connect to multiple devices via wired or wireless connections.

A dual-band router that can transmit at both 5GHz and 2.4GHz is also an option. It manages internet traffic and allows you to specify how much bandwidth each device requires.

6. USE A DIFFERENT BROWSER

Each browser has its own set of system requirements. While Chrome is the crown prince of web browsers in terms of stability and speed, it is a memory hog.

If upload speeds on one browser, say Chrome, appear to be slow, consider switching to Edge or Firefox. Specific programs are also better optimized for a particular browser.

7. SCAN FOR MALWARE

Malware and viruses on your laptop are hazardous to system performance. It slows the computer down, runs in the background, and consumes CPU and network resources. As a result, they reduce upload speeds without your knowledge.

Viruses endanger your data and privacy. As a result, if you believe your system could benefit from some cleaning, it is best to install third-party antivirus software. Viruses are unlikely to corrupt the router itself. A hard reset, on the other hand, can quickly resolve the problem.

8. DISABLE VPN SERVICE

Fast VPN services provide a smooth internet browsing experience and, in some cases, improve speeds. Furthermore, they are ideal for circumventing restrictions, increasing privacy, and avoiding video buffering.

However, not all VPN services are created equal. You can uninstall or disable your VPN service and test your upload speeds to see if they have improved.

9. UPDATE SYSTEM DRIVERS AND SOFTWARES

For maintenance and security, all hardware components must be updated on a regular basis. Routers are no different. Device Manager – Network Drivers allows you to check and update network drivers as well as keep the firmware up to date.

1. Select “Device Manager” from the Start Menu by right-clicking.
2. Locate the Network drivers in the “Network adapters” folder and right-click on them.
3. Choose “Update Driver.”

10. CLEAR BACKGROUND DATA

Background applications and parallel transfer processes can frequently slow down upload speeds. There is only so much available bandwidth for multiple devices, programs, and threads.

Lower speeds may occur during a Windows update or when software automatically downloads the most recent settings. It is best to monitor background processes, and the steps to do so are as follows –

1. Open Resource Monitor by searching for it in the Start Menu.
2. In the Resource Monitor window, expand the Network option.
3. Examine the Total (B/sec) parameter. It displays the programs that are using the most bandwidth.
4. Unless you need it, right-click on the process that is using the most network resources and terminate it.

11. CHANGE DNS SETTINGS

We encounter DNS, or Domain Name Setting, more frequently than we realize. It is the internet’s phonebook. When we browse, it converts domain names to IP addresses in the backend.

For example, when we search for Google or YouTube, DNS converts the domain name to their respective IP address, allowing us to load resources faster. You can change your system DNS settings to use Google Public DNS, which is secure and fixes any online streaming problems or slow upload speeds.

Here are the steps to configure DNS on your system –

1. To open the Run window, press Win + R on your keyboard.
2. To access the Control Panel, type “control” into the search box (alternatively, right-click on the Start Menu and select it).
3. Navigate to the Network and Internet settings section.
4. On the left pane, select “Change adapter settings.”
5. Right-click Ethernet and select Properties.
6. Select “Obtain an IP address automatically” by double-clicking on Internet Protocol Version 4.
7. Fill in the blanks with the following information –

• Preferred DNS server: 8.8.8.8
• Alternative DNS server: 8.8.4.4

You can always revert to your original settings whenever you please.

CONCLUSION

You can see the status of your upload speed by running a speed test in your preferred web browser. Having a reference figure on hand aids in troubleshooting and proactive improvement of your internet.

Upload speeds lag behind download rates in general, but there is always room for improvement. Consider using optical fiber, such as Google fiber, for near-lossless transmissions.

However, if you exhaust all of your options and still see no improvement in performance, the issue may be with your Internet Service Provider. As a result, it is best to look for another company that offers better plans at lower prices.

Frequently Asked Questions