You've taken the fastest plan your provider offers. The new episode has just dropped, the popcorn's ready, and you're sitting there watching the spinner. We've all been there. Assuming your provider really is delivering what they promised, here are five things that often fix it.
1. Change your DNS
DNS is the internet's phone book. Your devices use it to turn a name you can read into an address a computer can use. Which DNS server you're on affects both speed and privacy, and most people are on whatever their provider set by default. You can change it.
We recommend Google's public servers: 8.8.8.8 as primary and 8.8.4.4 as secondary. In Kenya we've found them consistently quick and reliable. The steps differ by device, so search your device name plus "change DNS" and you'll find them.
2. Restart the router
Anyone who's done tech support knows how much this fixes. Routers fill their caches and collect small errors that quietly drag performance down. Restarting clears it. Once a week is a good habit.
3. Get closer to it
Distance to the router matters, and different walls block the signal differently, so nobody can tell you an exact number of metres. Use the bars on your WiFi icon instead. Below full bars, your top speed has already dropped. Three out of four is fine for most things. For HD video calls or gaming, get closer.
4. Clear your browser cache
Browsers keep copies of images and files so they don't have to fetch them twice. Helpful, until the pile gets big enough to slow you down. In Chrome: three-dot menu, Settings, Privacy and security, Delete browsing data. History, cookies and cached files are all safe to clear.
5. Use a cable
WiFi is convenient. It's also fighting walls, furniture and every other network nearby. If your speed test looks fine but the smart TV still buffers, run an ethernet cable straight from the router to the device. It's the biggest single improvement most people never bother trying.
Tried all five and it's still slow? Then it probably isn't your side. Call us. Support is open 7 AM to 11 PM.
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