Author: Tithi Raha
Wednesday, December 7, 2022

Is Download Slower Than Upload? Why & How to Fix it?



In today's age, it's inevitable to have a good internet connection not only for gamers but also for ordinary people. So, you opt for a suitable plan from your internet service provider, each offering a variety of upload and download speeds. But, your download speed seems slower than uploads when ideally it should be the opposite.

Download speed is measured by how many megabytes of data/second your system takes to download from the server. While upload speed refers to the speed at which your system can send data from one device or one server to another. Generally, as people are likely to download more data than to upload, internet service providers set default settings to offer you a higher download speed than the uploads. So, it's pretty normal to have a good download speed than uploads. But, if it's the opposite in your case, then there are some issues. The possible reasons behind this issue could be internal or external computer problems. 

Having a good download speed is more of a necessity as half of our internet work relies on that. Whether you want to listen to music, stream your favorite show on Netflix or download a large file, having a good speed is non-negotiable. However, if your system is offering slower download speeds and higher uploads, then read this article. 

Is Download Slower Than Upload? Why & How to Fix it?

Is Download Slower Than Upload? Why & How to Fix it?

Internet speed is measured by the amount of data or megabytes of data your connection can transfer in a second. This is why you will notice that the internet service provider offers you a plan with detailed information like how many Mbps of speed the connection will provide. For example, if you take a plan that offers 30Mbps speed, then it means your provider will offer this much speed to download data from the internet to your system. 

Unfortunately, there are a lot of reasons that may affect your internet connection even when your ISP provider will offer you higher download speeds than uploads. The good news is that you can check your speed by using some of the best available tools on the internet. 

So, let's take a look at the reasons below:

Issue With Your Computer

One of the common causes behind having poor download speed is probably the issue with your computer. For example, if your PC is infected with viruses then the basic operations of your computer will slow down. Along with it, the browser may lose its access to the internet. A lot of you may think that installing antivirus may solve this issue. But, at times, installing the software yield a negative impact by blocking different pages that you browse on the internet.

There Could Be Problems With ISP

Internet service providers offer higher download speeds than upload speeds as most of our internet activity requires a higher download speed. However, sometimes, your provider may make a mistake in delivering the services. If your download speed is consistently lowering and it's happening in all of the devices connected to your router, then contact your ISP to resolve the issue. 

Problems With Your Cable

Another possible reason behind having a slowdown in your download speed could be your ethernet cable. As an ethernet connection is generally duplex, it receives and transmits at the same time using multiple wires and pins. But, sometimes, these receiving pins or wires might have issues while the transmitting pins work perfectly. 

So, these are some of a few reasons behind facing a slow download speed than uploads. But, as every problem has a solution, this one has it too. We will be discussing the solutions below. Keep on reading to discover them in detail. 

How to Fix a Slow Download Speed?

Previously, a speed of 25Mbps was considered a good download speed. However, as our online activity increases and more and more people are accessing it using the same router, it's important to have at least 100Mbps speed for your home. So, if there are four members in your house, each will enjoy 25Mbps of speed which should offer a decent connection. Yet, due to the reasons, we have mentioned above, you may still face a slowdown in your internet speed. 

So, let's take a look at the ways to fix a slow download speed,

    1. Change Adapter Settings

There are a lot of things that may cause you a connection disruption. But, one of the simple ways to fix it is by tweaking the adapter settings. Or, to be precise, by enabling and disabling your network adapter. If you're unaware of how to do that, read the instructions below, 

  • Go to “control panel” and then click on “network and sharing center” from there.

Is Download Slower Than Upload? Why & How to Fix it?

  • Now select “change adapter settings”.
  • You will notice the list of connections your device can access to. Double-click on the one that slows down your internet speed and clicks on “Disable”

Is Download Slower Than Upload? Why & How to Fix it?

Now restart the computer and follow the same instruction to “enable” the network adapter and check if the problem continues or not. If it continues, then follow the steps mentioned below, 

    2. Update Your Adapter With Latest Drivers

Your network adapter must be upgraded with the latest drivers to ensure it works efficiently. This step can be manually done. But, remember to backup your data before following the further steps, 

  • Use the search bar and visit “device manager”.
  • Then click on “network adapter”.
  • It will open all the networks present on your device, right click on the network that causing disruption and click on “uninstall”

Is Download Slower Than Upload? Why & How to Fix it?

Now, wait for the network adapter to get uninstalled and restart your computer again. This will update the adapter with your latest drivers. 

    3. Fix Your Router

Sometimes, the issues with your router can cause slow download speed. In this case, resetting your router will be one of the easiest ways to fix it. But, not in all cases, resetting the router will fix the issue. If it doesn't, then you have to tweak the settings a bit and try to change a few things. 

To access the router setting, you need to find your IP address. Now, once you've your IP, follow the steps below, 

  • Open your browser and type your IP there. It will take you to the Login page of your router.
  • Provider Login credentials to access the settings page of your router. 

Generally, the common issue that affects your download speed is the Wi-Fi multimedia support. You can disable this feature to check whether it increases your internet speed or not. For that, follow the steps, 

  • Find a tab or page called “QoS”. It states “quality of service”. You can easily find it under the “advanced setting” option.
  • Now, from there you will see the “enable WMM” option.
  • Turn it off to see whether your problem resolves or not. 

Conclusion

Moreover, download speed is considered more useful and important than upload speed. Whether you want to scroll social media, watch youtube videos, stream music services, read articles, or anything, it should have a good download speed to load the pages smoothly. Thereby, having slower download speeds even when you're using a fast internet connection can be truly annoying. So, we hope this guide has helped you fix your internet speed. If you're still facing issues with your download speed, contact your internet service provider or upgrade your internet plans. 

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