How to check internet speed easily on any device

Does your internet connection buffer during your favorite shows, lag when playing games, or disrupt other online activities? If so, slow internet speed may be to blame. 

At Asurion, we provide tech support to help families achieve a smooth home internet experience. Whether you want to troubleshoot streaming issues or boost Wi-Fi speed, we’ve got you covered. Learn how to check your internet speed so you can get back to fast browsing. 

Understanding internet speed

Speed test tools typically measure internet speed in megabits per second (Mbps), indicating the amount of data that moves to and from your devices in one second. When speeds become super fast, we refer to them in gigabits per second (Gbps).

Here are the main parts of your internet speed you'll see during a test:

Download speed

Your download speed is how fast information from the internet gets to your device. For example, it determines how quickly webpages load content and how fast your downloads are. 

Download speed is usually measured in Mbps and is often what internet service providers (ISPs) advertise on their home internet plans. 

Upload speed

Your upload speed is how fast you can send information from your device to the internet, usually in Mbps. For example, it determines how quickly you can upload files to Google Photos™ or share social media content. 

Latency

Latency, also known as ping, is the time it takes for a signal from your device to reach your internet service provider and return. Speed test tools measure it in milliseconds (ms). 

Latency typically affects online activities that require real-time interactions, like video chatting and online gaming. 

Conducting a basic speed test

Here’s how to check internet speed on a PC or any other device on your network: 

1. Pick a trusted speed test tool

Reliable speed test tools include: 

• Speedtest by Ookla®
• Fast.com by Netflix®
• Google Fiber™

2. Use a device with a strong connection

If you’re using a phone connected via Wi-Fi for the test, stay as close as possible to the router—signal strength improves as you move closer and weakens as you move away. 

For a PC like a laptop, the most stable connection comes from using an Ethernet cable—a wire that plugs into your router on one end and your device on the other.

3. Close background apps and devices

Devices and apps on your home internet can cause network congestion, slowing down your internet speed. Closing them while performing the test ensures the most accurate results.

4. Restart your router if necessary

Turning your router off and on resolves any temporary glitches or memory issues that usually slow down connections. This will establish a reliable connection for the test. 

5. Open the speed test tool

Search for one of the tools in step one, and run the test: 

• Speedtest by Ookla: Click or tap GO.
• Fast.com: The site automatically measures your internet speed—no clicking or tapping necessary. 
• Google Fiber: Click or tap GO.

6. Wait while the test runs

After running the test, you’ll get results of your download speed, upload speed, and latency. 

Analyzing results

If nothing is wrong with your connection, the download speed result should be close to the maximum speed you’re buying from your internet service provider. Generally, the higher your upload and download speeds, the faster your internet connection will be. On the other hand, the longer the latency, the longer it takes for a device in your network to communicate with your ISP. This slows down real-time online activities, such as video calling. A latency of less than 20 milliseconds is a sufficient speed. 

Troubleshooting slow internet speeds

Is your internet way slower than the speed you’re paying for? Here are some common issues and solutions: 

• Router malfunction: Temporary glitches can cause equipment malfunction. Restarting it should resolve the issue. 
• Network congestion: Too many devices in your network can overload your internet connection. To fix this, lower your usage or upgrade to faster internet plans. 
• Router capabilities: Routers have a maximum internet speed they can handle. Make sure your equipment can handle the maximum speed of your plan. 

FAQs

What is a good internet speed for streaming, gaming, or working from home? 

An adequate speed for streaming, gaming, or working from home is at least 40Mbps.

What’s the difference between download, upload, and ping speeds?

Download speed is how fast data from the internet reaches your device, while upload speed is how quickly it leaves your device. Meanwhile, ping is the time it takes for data to travel from your device to an online server and come back. 

What tools can I use to test my internet speed accurately? 

Some examples are Fast.com, Google Fiber, and Speedtest by Ookla.