Anyone who has used the Internet knows that speed can affect how enjoyable your experience is. You pop your popcorn, sit down on the couch or in your recliner, turn on Netflix and it just spins and spins. That’s called buffering. The amount of buffering you experience can be due to many factors. One of the first things to check is your Internet speed. But my provider told me it was fast. Do you know how to check this speed? And have you checked it during prime time (6p-11p)?

There are several places you can go to check your Internet speeds. Some of these will check for other issues as well. But first, do not pay for something that “speeds your connection or PC” to blazing fast speeds. Now I am not saying that your connection can’t be slowed by things on your computer. Always check for malware, spyware, toolbars, and unwanted programs. These can and do slow your PC as well as create risks for your information getting into the wrong hands. Check out Bleeping Computer for a great site with guides and lots of helpful people.

Once you are reasonably sure that your PC is clean, check out some sites that can give you a reliable speed test.
– speedtest.net
– Netflix Speedtest
– DSLReports Speedtest

So how much speed do you need? Netflix speed requirements are listed in this helpful article from Netflix. The speeds required are directly related to the amount of data (resolution) of the stream. Oh, and don’t forget that other devices such as laptops, phones, and smart devices can all drain some of your Internet speed.

We hope you have a better understanding of how to check your speeds. If you have any questions or would like to upgrade your plan, contact us today!