Test Your Speed
Internet Speed Test
How fast is your internet? A speed test measures the speed between your computer and the internet. Running a speed test on your device can help you take steps to boost performance. Speed tests measure:
- Download speed: the speed of data sent from the internet to your computer
- Upload speed: how fast data is going from your computer to the internet
Speed Test Prep
We recommend you use the Midco speed test site, because it will show you the download and upload speeds from our speed test servers to your device. This helps reduce outside influences other speed tests may introduce. (Note: If you have Midco Freestyle® Wi-Fi, use the Midco Wi-Fi app to test your network speeds.)
For best results:
- Use your computer with the fastest or most advanced hardware and software. Gigabit Ethernet cards are needed for Midco Internet 200 and higher speeds.
- Bypass your wireless router and connect your computer directly to your cable modem with a wired Ethernet cable, rather than performing the speed test via a wireless connection. This eliminates factors that can impact test results, such as wireless interference, and gives you the most accurate results.
While you’re testing your speeds, you can capture your results to share with us for help troubleshooting.
- Take a screenshot of your results, or select Copy Link to copy the link to your specific speed test results.
- Share the link or screenshot with our representatives on Facebook, Twitter or via live chat.
If you test your speeds and are still having issues, contact us.
Here are some steps to take that may improve your speeds.
- Check your cables and wires. Make sure your wires are all securely connected between devices.
- Reboot your modem, and then test your speeds again.
- If you have a wireless router connected to your modem, restart that device after the modem is online again. You may also need to disable your firewall. While it may affect your speeds, we recommend you have a firewall in place to protect yourself while online.
- If you have Midco Freestyle Wi-Fi, manually reboot your extenders if you have them, as well.
- You may also need to restart your computer or other device you’re using for the speed test.
- Disconnect from any VPNs.
- Turn off or disable the Wi-Fi on your computer(s), and power off your wireless router or access point.
- Then perform the speed test on a hard-wired device to avoid any interference.
- If your speeds without your wireless are at or near where they should be, you may have a problem with your wireless signal. If you lease a Midco modem, contact us. If you have a separate wireless router or other wireless equipment, consult with the manufacturer of the wireless equipment you previously had directly connected to the modem.
- Disconnect older devices from the network and try the speed test again.
- Older devices may not be able to reach the top speeds for your internet – and they may slow down your experience on all your devices.
- Check your equipment. Older modems can’t process high speeds – so if you own your own modem, make sure it’s on our approved modems list.
- Try performing the speed test on another device.
- If your speeds are acceptable on the different device, there may be an issue with the first device’s networking equipment, rather than an overall internet speed issue. Consult with the manufacturer of the device that had slow speeds.
If you do not have another device you can connect directly to your cable modem, or if you still get similar slow speed test results with a different device, contact us. A Midco technician may need to visit your home to solve your internet issues.
Wireless or Wired Signals
Wireless speeds are usually slower than wired connections, so if you run the speed test over a wireless signal, you may not reach the same speeds as a hard-wired device. Due to different types of wireless interference, Wi-Fi speeds could be up to 50% less than expected on hard-wired devices.
Modem or Router Placement
If you’re using a wireless signal, where you put your modem or router can impact your speeds.
- The farther you are from your router, the weaker your signal will be.
- Make sure your router is in a centralized location in your home.
- Placing your router in a cabinet or closet can create interference.
- We recommend keeping your modem or router in the open and off the floor.
Equipment Age
Older devices may not be able to reach the fastest speeds available with your internet package. Older devices may also slow down your speeds on all your devices – including brand new laptops or smartphones.
Outdated Software
Make sure your computer or laptop operating system and your internet browsers are up to date to achieve top speeds.
Both ping and jitter are measured in milliseconds.
Latency is the time it takes a ping (a signal or packet of information) to travel to its destination and back. A ping is actually used to measure the latency, though it’s used to refer to latency, as well. Lower latency means your signal is performing better.
Latency is influenced by:
- Your modem and other equipment connecting you to the internet – so DSL or dial-up modems will experience more latency than cable modems.
- The distance your data is traveling, meaning if you connect to a website based thousands of miles away, your latency will be higher.
Jitter is the variation in latency for information passing through a network when you perform multiple ping tests. Wired connections will always have a lower latency.
If you’re experiencing high latency, it could be caused by any of the following:
- Poor signal to a cable modem
- Heavy internet traffic
- Slow network routers
- Other interference on the network connection
If you’re having high latency results or are experiencing unexpected jitter, check for obvious coaxial cable damage and confirm your cable connections are tight. If that doesn’t help, contact us for further troubleshooting.
