Improve Home Internet Performance

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Test your connection 

We recommend you test your Internet service to make sure you are ready to work. We recommend using this Speed and Latency Test (click Show More Info once the test is complete to see all upload/download/latency information) to determine the amount of internet throughput and delay at your remote location. This provides an end-to-end test of all the factors affecting your device’s connection: your Internet provider, your home network setup, and the device you’re on.

For audio/video conferencing you’ll want at a minimum:

• 25 Mb/s (Megabits per second) download speed. A higher number is better.

• 15 Mb/s (Megabits per second) upload speed. A higher number is better.

• 30 ms (milliseconds) or less ping response time. A lower number is better.

Check with your provider

One of the first places to turn if you’re having performance issues with an existing internet service is to contact your provider. Ask if you are getting the best service available in your area. If you have a router that you lease from your provider ask if they have an updated version, perform a firmware upgrade, or consider purchasing your own router. 

Adjust your connection

Next to the Internet provider you use, the next most important factor is how you connect to the network within a house or other location.

If possible, directly connecting to the Internet router or access point via a wired (Ethernet) cable will provide the best quality, especially for audio/video applications like Zoom. If you connect via Ethernet, you don’t need to worry about WiFi quality.

Tips

If you need to use WiFi, the quality of your wireless connection will significantly impact your overall Internet quality.

• WiFi signals are transmitted on up to three different frequencies depending on the wireless router hardware: 2.4GHz, 5GHz, and 6GHz. 2.4GHz is the original WiFi signal standard, operates on only three channels, and is subject to the most congestion thus the slowest performance. 5GHz and 6GHz offer higher speeds but can experience degraded signal performance from walls, heating/cooling ducts, and any metal obstructions. You may try switching frequency modes to see if that improves performance.

• Upgrade your WiFi router firmware. Check your WiFi router vendor support site for firmware upgrade availability.

• Houses larger than 1,500 square feet or so (depending on layout and building materials) will usually need multiple wireless access points for good house-wide coverage.

• Consider installing a newer WiFi access point, or WiFi mesh networks that cover your home with multiple access points. The Wirecutter by The New York Times regularly tests and recommends WiFi access points and mesh hardware.

• If you have a weak or spotty connection, try reducing the bandwidth requirements by turning off your video camera, or calling into the audio part of the meeting via a phone

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