How to Increase Download Speed: Best Settings & Fixes

Having a fast internet connection but still experiencing slow download speeds can be frustrating. There are many potential reasons why your download speed may not be as fast as your internet speeds. The good news is there are steps you can take for how to increase download speed. In this guide, we will cover top fixes to increase download speeds on your computer, game consoles, security cameras, and more.

Why is My Download Speed So Slow But Internet Fast?

There are a few common culprits for why download speeds lag even if your internet speeds check out as very fast:

• Multiple devices using the bandwidth simultaneously
• Outdated network equipment like routers and modems
• Too many programs running that use the internet bandwidth
• Interference from walls, distance, and obstacles between devices and the router
• Computer malware, viruses, or too many temporary files built up
• Using WiFi instead of an Ethernet cable on a gaming PC or streaming device
• Internet service provider throttles connection speeds during peak times
• The server or source you're downloading from has slow upload speeds

How to Increase Download Speed? Top 10 Fixes

Getting faster downloads involves a holistic approach upgrading your equipment, devices, settings and how you manage internet traffic. Here is how to increase download speed on PC:

Download One File At a Time

If you try downloading multiple files simultaneously, they will be competing for available bandwidth and each will take longer. Download one file at a time to allow full internet speeds to apply towards that transfer.

Limit the Number of Devices on Your Network

The more devices actively connected to your WiFi or Ethernet networks, the more congested bandwidth becomes. Disconnect devices not currently in use like laptops, tablets, or secondary streaming boxes. If they aren't being actively used, put devices into sleep or airplane mode.

Test Your Modem And Router

Run speed tests directly through your modem using an Ethernet cable connection without any routers or other devices involved. This checks performance levels from your Internet Service Provider alone. Then run tests on your router. If modem tests are significantly faster, your router may need a firmware update or replacement.

Update Your Router Firmware

Like any software, router firmware becomes outdated as new updates roll out. Old firmware can slow speeds. Log into your router dashboard and check the current firmware version. Manually prompt it to scan for any new firmware updates. Updating gives a quick speed boost.

Use an Ethernet cable

WiFi is prone to interference, signal drops, congestion, and sharing bandwidth across all devices simultaneously connected. Plugging your computer or game console directly into your router via Ethernet cable guarantees full, dedicated connectivity allowing your network adapter and internet plan to achieve maximum possible speeds.

Use a Download Manager

Download manager software enhances transfer performance by opening multiple connections to pull different file parts concurrently, error correction technology ensuring complete undamaged downloads and scheduling capabilities so large downloads won't disrupt browsing. Managers let large files download at max speeds without interfering normal internet usage.

Scan Your Computer For Viruses

Viruses and malware can secretly consume internet connectivity, running processes in the background. Run updated antivirus scans to remove anything malicious. Additionally clear temporary system files and browser caches that build up over time and slow things down by hogging bandwidth and computing resources in the background.

Clear Your Cache

Web browser and app caches let you revisit previously loaded content faster, but cache build up hogs storage, memory and computing capacity. Regularly clear cache and cookies to keep things optimized for speed across devices like computer browsers, smart TVs and mobile apps.

Check Your Internet Plan

If your household has multiple people streaming, gaming, and actively using bandwidth simultaneously, even super fast internet plans can bottleneck when maxing out available bandwidth. Check whether your monthly data usage is capped by your ISP or consistently hitting ceilings, then upgrade to an uncapped unlimited data plan.

Contact Your ISP

After trying the above steps, run internet speed tests during high and low usage times of day. If speeds fall well below what your plan promises, regardless of tweaks, contact your Internet Service Provider about connection quality issues or throttling during peak neighborhood usage times, compromising your paid speeds.

How to Increase Steam Download Speed?

For improving slow Steam downloads on a PC gaming setup, here is how to increase download speed on Steam:

• Use a wired Ethernet connection instead of WiFi for the gaming PC
• In Steam settings, select a closer download region with fast speeds
• Disable auto-updating of games in the Steam library during active downloads
• Limit bandwidth throttling via Steam by raising bandwidth limits
• Disable any VPN connections before downloading Steam games
• Use Windows settings to limit bandwidth hogging from background apps
• Clear download cache through Steam's interface

How to Increase PS5 Download Speed?

To maximize your PlayStation 5 download speed for games, apps, and firmware updates:

• Connect PS5 via an Ethernet cable, not WiFi
• Pause any downloads or games running before starting new downloads
• Put PS5 into Rest Mode for faster download speeds
• Disable auto-updates for games and apps when not actively gaming
• Close any media apps not being used like Netflix or Spotify
• Under network settings, run internet connection test, and restart console
• If issues persist, check router firmware, internet plan speeds, or contact internet provider

Can I Download Footage from My Security Camera? How to Boost Speed?

Yes, it is possible to download video recordings from security camera systems for backup or review. For example, with Reolink cameras, follow these steps:

1. Log in to your camera and go to the Playback page.
2. Switch the stream mode to Clear if you want higher quality footage instead of the default Fluent stream.
3. Check and select the recording you need to download, then tap the Download icon.
4. Adjust the timeline or time range for how much footage to download.
5. Tap Download again to start the transfer.

To boost security camera download speeds:

• Connect the security recording system via Ethernet instead of WiFi
• Make sure the recorder box is close to your router with a strong signal
• Reduce number of devices on the network during downloads
• Scan recorder for malware just like regular computers and devices
• Make sure your broadband plan isn't capped if downloading large quantities of footage

Check out Reolink wireless security camera system and find the best camera kit that meets your requirements.

FAQs

How do I increase my download speed?

Top ways to increase download speed include updating router firmware, directly connecting devices by Ethernet cable, not WiFi, limiting devices on the network, clearing cache/cookies on devices, checking for computer malware, and contacting your internet provider if consistently below advertised speeds.

How can I get 1000 mbps download speed?

To achieve a 1000 mbps (1 Gbps) download speed you need:

• A fiber optic internet plan offering 1000 Mbps speeds
• A compatible modem and router able to handle 1000 mbps transfers
• Connect your computer or device via an Ethernet cable, not WiFi
• Limit other device connectivity during downloads
• Clear cache/cookies and make sure no malware infections

Is 100 Mbps download fast?

For light internet users 100 Mbps download speed allows comfortable web browsing, social media activity, music streaming with a couple devices connected simultaneously. For multi-device households streaming HD video across several devices concurrently or online gaming, at least 200-400 Mbps would be recommended.

Conclusion

Slow download speeds can quickly get frustrating when you pay for fast internet yet transfers lag anyway. Fixes range from updating networking equipment, directly connecting via Ethernet cable, limiting device connectivity congestion, scanning for malware, clearing unnecessary cached files from devices, all the way up to upgrading internet plans if consistently maxing out. Testing speeds across different devices at different times of day helps narrow down what factors may be bottlenecking your download potential despite fast internet service.