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Whether you work from home, stream TV, run smart home devices, or play online games, you deserve the internet speed and reliability you’re paying for. Sometimes, though, your real-world performance doesn’t match your plan.
If you aren’t seeing your plan speeds, there can be several reasons. You might already know the usual fixes: rebooting your equipment, checking your router, or looking for modem issues.
Another important step is running a free internet speed test. A speed test helps you understand why your internet feels slow and whether your provider is delivering the service you expect.
Learning how to check your internet speed is quick, easy, and useful long term. Here’s how speed tests work, what the results mean, and what to do with that information.
What Speed Test Should I Use?
Choosing a reliable speed test is key to getting accurate results. Ezee Fiber offers an Ookla®-powered speed test that makes it simple to check your connection in just a few clicks. Using a trusted test helps ensure your results reflect your actual performance.
How Do Speed Tests Work?
Most speed tests start by selecting a server near your location. The test then sends a signal (called a ping) to that server and measures how long it takes to get a response. This round-trip time is measured in milliseconds (ms).
Ping measures latency. Lower ping means a more responsive connection, which is especially important for video calls and online gaming.
Next, the test measures your download and upload speeds. It does this by tracking how much data your device can receive (download) and send (upload) over a short period of time.
At the end, you’ll see three main results:
- Ping (latency)
- Download speed
- Upload speed
How To Run an Internet Speed Test
Speed tests are simple, but a few steps can help you get the most accurate results.
Close as many apps, browser tabs, and devices using your connection as possible. This reduces extra bandwidth usage during the test.
For the most accurate reading, connect your computer directly to your modem or router using an Ethernet cable instead of Wi-Fi. While tests can measure Wi-Fi performance, a wired connection better reflects the speed coming into your home.
It’s also a good idea to restart your computer or device before running the test to clear out background processes.
When you’re ready, start the test. Most tools automatically pick the best server. If you’re using a common test site, just click the main “Go” or “Start” button and wait a few seconds for results.
Understanding Speed Test Results
Your results will usually appear in less than a minute and will include ping, download speed, and upload speed.
Ping
Ping is measured in milliseconds. Lower numbers are better.
- Under 20 ms: Excellent for gaming and video calls
- 20–50 ms: Very good for most online activities
- Over 150 ms: You may notice lag or delays
Download and Upload Speeds
Download and upload speeds are measured in megabits per second (Mbps).
Download speed affects how quickly you can stream shows, load websites, and download files. Upload speed matters for video calls, online gaming, and sending large files.
Fiber-powered connections like those from Ezee Fiber are designed to deliver fast, consistent speeds for both downloading and uploading, which helps support busy households with multiple connected devices.
Troubleshooting Slow Internet Speeds
If your results aren’t what you expected, a speed test can help narrow down the cause.
Router or Wi-Fi Issues
If your wired speed test looks good but your connection feels slow on Wi-Fi, the issue may be your router, placement, or signal strength.
Walls, distance, and interference from other electronics can all affect Wi-Fi performance. Restart your router, move it to a more central location, or consider upgrading older equipment.
Time of Day
Internet speeds can vary depending on network demand. Evenings are often peak usage times.
Fiber networks, like the one Ezee Fiber uses, are built to handle high demand more efficiently than older cable or DSL systems, but it’s still smart to run tests at different times of day to compare results.
Other Factors To Consider
If your speed tests show strong speeds but your internet still feels slow, look at how many people and devices are online at the same time. Streaming in 4K, gaming, and large downloads can all compete for bandwidth.
If your speeds consistently test lower than expected, try testing on multiple devices. An older computer or outdated hardware can sometimes limit performance.
The Ultimate Internet Solution
Testing your internet speed is one of the easiest ways to understand and improve your online experience. With the right tools and a reliable fiber network, you can enjoy smoother streaming, faster downloads, and more dependable connections.
Ready for faster, more reliable internet? Sign up for Ezee Fiber today.
