Slow Internet Connection on Your Mac? 9 Fixes to Speed It Up
Internet connection is one of our most essential utilities when using Mac. Slow internet makes everything tedious. Fun and work become tiresome when using your Mac with a slow internet connection. You experience long loading times on web pages, calls are interrupted, and apps and games load haphazardly.
Finding a solution to working with slow internet can make your Mac experience less painful. So, check out the troubleshooting tips outlined below to get your internet connection up to speed.
1. Restart Your Mac and Router
Sometimes, a simple reboot can fix network-related issues like a slow internet connection. If the internet service is loading well on other devices, you can restart your Mac to clear processes and data that are not directly useful. To reboot your Mac, Go to theApple menuon the menu bar and chooseRestartfrom the dropdown.
Likewise, you should restart your Wi-Fi router. Upon restart, your router may select the least crowded channel and clear the cache. This will keep your router working smoothly and provide a stronger internet connection to your Mac. But if that doesn’t help, you might need toreset your Wi-Fi router, which is quite different from a simple restart.
2. Switch Your Internet Service Provider
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Rather than a problem with your Mac, a slow internet connection may be more related to your internet service provider. You will get a slow internet connection if you use a service provider that offers low megabits per second (Mbps).
To get the best, consider upgrading to a service provider that offers between 20 Mbps and 100 Mbps (or more if you can afford it). Also, you may need to change your internet service provider if their network isn’t stable in your region.
3. Use a Different Browser
If your web browser is malfunctioning, you may experience slow internet problems like long loading times for web pages and slow downloads. Try changing your browser; If you use Safari, try a different browser, like Google Chrome.
If the problem persists,clear the browser cache and cookies. Here’s what you need to do in Safari:
Alternatively, you could use the keyboard shortcutOption+Command+Eto do the same.
4. Update Your Browser and macOS
The software updates on macOS improve the performance of your Mac and address any bugs or compatibility issues, including internet connection problems.
Before downloading a software update, ensure you back up your data. Afterward, go toSystem Settings, selectGeneral, and clickSoftware Updateon the right. If there is an update available, download and install it. After updating your macOS, restart your Mac and test your internet connection again.
Additionally, updating your browsers can fix bugs and connectivity issues. Usually, Safari updates will download along with software updates, but you have to follow different steps toupdate other browsers, like Chrome, Firefox, and Edge.
5. Close Unnecessary Apps and Browser Tabs
Sometimes, the cause of slow internet on your Mac is applications and open tabs running in the background. They slow down the internet by continuously refreshing and downloading data. To speed up the internet connection on your Mac, close all background applications and browser tabs you’re not using and disable auto-update for apps.
iCloud’s automatic syncing feature can contribute to a slow internet connection as well, as it uses a lot of internet bandwidth. So, if you are running on a low Mbps connection, you might experience slow internet on your Mac.
To turn off automatic sync, follow these steps:
6. Scan for Malware
Not surprisingly, malware can be responsible for a slow internet connection on your Mac. When malware infects your Mac, it slows down all processes, and you might see unexpected ad pop-ups on web browsers.
If you suspect the presence of malware on your Mac, scan it using a recommendedfree antivirus for Maclike Avast Security or Malwarebytes. Once you’ve identified the malware, use an antivirus to clear malware from your Mac, reset your web browser, and reboot your Mac.
7. Use Ethernet Connection and Check Router Proximity
You can use an Ethernet connection if you’re experiencing slow internet on your Mac when connected to Wi-Fi. An Ethernet connection provides a more direct and stable internet connection than a Wi-Fi router.
So, connect your router to your Mac with an Ethernet cable if it has the port, but if it doesn’t, you can always get a USB hub with an Ethernet port.
However, if you cannot use an Ethernet connection, ensure that the Wi-Fi router is close to your Mac and that the router’s antennas are all in the right direction.
8. Disable Browser Extensions
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Browser extensions significantly improve your experience when surfing the internet. However, sometimes they can be a necessary evil and disrupt or slow down your internet speed.
When experiencing slow internet on your Mac, disabling browser extensions is a great place to start. Go through your browser extensions andclean up unnecessary extensionsthat are no longer helpful to you, restart your browser, and test your internet connection.
9. Delete Network Configuration and Turn off Your VPN
Network settings and configurations are a sensitive part of your Mac. They can easily get tangled up if you frequently use a VPN. In this case, you need toreset your Mac’s network settings. If this doesn’t work, you can take it further and delete your network configuration files.
VPN services can also slow down your internet. You can turn them off by going toSystem Settings > VPNand setting the toggle to the off position. You can also turn off the VPN from the respective app.
Surf the Internet Without Speed Issues
When using your Mac for work and entertainment, there’s no room for an unstable internet connection. As a last resort, contact your internet service provider to discuss and upgrade your internet speed.
However, if you’ve explored all the options discussed above, you might have a hardware issue rather than a software issue. you’re able to run Apple Diagnostics or visit the Apple Store to get it checked and repaired.
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