Is your internet being throttled? How to test and fix your speeds
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Key takeaways
- Internet throttling is when your internet speed is intentionally slowed down by your Wi-Fi provider.
- You might be experiencing throttling if you notice slower speeds during evenings, weekends or towards the end of your billing month (esp. if your plan has a data limit).
- Wondering, “is my internet slow?” Check for throttling by comparing speed tests with and without a VPN.
- Avoid internet throttling by using a VPN, upgrading your internet plan or switching providers.
What is internet throttling?
“Throttling” is when your internet speed is temporarily slowed down due to data limits or network congestion.
- If you notice sudden buffering/lag or slower internet speeds during evenings or weekends, you are likely experiencing internet throttling.
- Nearly every internet service provider (ISP) and mobile service uses internet throttling to free up bandwidth for additional customers.
- Your internet provider will not tell you when data throttling occurs, but ISP throttling is common when more people are online.
- Assume your speed is throttled if you notice an abrupt internet speed slow-down.
Can your ISP throttle your internet on purpose?
Yes, it is within your ISP’s rights to throttle your speed. This rule is typically outlined within the fine print of your provider’s acceptable use policies. Additionally, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) permits ISP throttling by allowing internet providers control over “reasonable network management.”
Find out if the following popular internet providers throttle bandwidth:
- Does Xfinity throttle internet? Xfinity will throttle your internet if you exceed the 1.2 TB data limit on its home internet plans.
- Does Optimum throttle internet? While Optimum internet offers unlimited data, the ISP still manages and prioritizes the network as necessary.
- Does Verizon Fios throttle internet? In general, fiber internet like Verizon Fios doesn’t suffer as commonly from network congestion and therefore is less frequently throttled compared to cable internet. However, Verizon Fios still has the right to manage its network as necessary, which could include bandwidth throttling.
- Does AT&T throttle internet? Similar to Verizon Fios, AT&T fiber services are less prone to throttling, although it could still occur from time to time.
- Does Hughesnet throttle internet? Hughesnet and other satellite providers will significantly slow your connection speed if you exceed the data limit associated with your internet plan.
What causes internet throttling?
Bandwidth throttling is used for general system management and congestion relief network support during busy times.
- Accommodating priority customers: ISPs offer network prioritization to keep or gain new customers, which means they retain fast speeds when the internet grid is busy, while others are temporarily slowed down.
- Prioritization is offered to business internet customers. Satellite internet providers like Hughesnet, Starlink, and Viasat also offer priority data.
- Keeping up with network congestion: When an area grows faster than an ISP’s infrastructure, throttling the internet during busy times of days is a way for the provider to keep up with the demand.
- These peak times include evenings, weekends, holidays or popular sporting events.
- Data limits of your internet plan: Exceeding your plan’s data cap results in bandwidth throttling.
- This occurs more frequently on mobile devices, as mobile plans are more likely to have data caps compared to home Wi-Fi packages.
- Mobile networks are also generally more susceptible to surges (especially during major events such as weather emergencies, holidays, etc.).
How to test for internet throttling
Not sure if you’re experiencing bandwidth throttling? Use these steps to find out if your home Wi-Fi service is affected by data throttling.
| Step 1 | Run a standard speed test on the site of your choosing. |
| Step 2 | Next, use a Virtual Private Network (VPN)* to run a second speed test. |
| Step 3 | Compare the results. If you get a faster internet speed when you run the VPN speed test, your ISP might be throttling your speed. |
| Step 4 | Repeat the speed tests to confirm results. Make sure to run both tests at the (1) same time of day, (2) on the same device and (3) without any other devices connected to the internet. |
Note
*A VPN provides more system security when browsing online. Numerous free VPNs are available.
Why does this work? Some ISPs can tell when you are running a speed test and may inflate your speed temporarily to give you a better result, but a VPN prevents this by obscuring what you are doing online.
Other signs of internet throttling
Even the best internet providers may use bandwidth throttling to control network congestion. If your provider has data caps or the right to slow your internet speed down, it must be declared in the details of your internet plan. For example, Spectrum throttling involves controlling congestion by managing users with “disproportionately high internet usage.”
Data throttling could be occurring if you notice:
- Buffering or lag while gaming or streaming.
- Slower internet speeds during evenings or weekends.
- Slower internet speeds closer to the end of your billing cycle.
How to fix bandwidth throttling issues
- Use a VPN: Internet providers often throttle high-use households to decrease their bandwidth consumption. A VPN is the quickest way to get around your ISP surveillance. Highly-rated VPNs like Surfshark and NordVPN offer 30-day free trials and affordable plans.
- Upgrade your internet plan: Your provider might be throttling your speed if you have a data limit. Upgrading to a plan with a higher data limit is an easy solution. Providers like Astound, Mediacom or Hughesnet include more data with their faster plans.
- Change ISPs: Switching internet providers is sometimes the best option to avoid ongoing data throttling issues. Dedicated fiber internet connections like Verizon Fios or Google Fiber are less likely to throttle your service.
What else could be affecting your Wi-Fi speeds?
Throttling isn’t the only culprit for slow Wi-Fi speeds. Investigate these issues in your home if you need to fix slow internet or Wi-Fi that’s not working.
- Put your Wi-Fi router in a better location.
- Upgrade your Wi-Fi router.
- Reevaluate what a good internet speed is for your home.
Internet throttling FAQs
Are internet service providers allowed to throttle internet speeds?
ISPs can throttle internet speeds as long as they disclose this information to the customer. Most companies will have their policies outlined in the fine print of your internet agreement.
Is there a way to check if my bandwidth is throttled?
The fastest way to determine if bandwidth throttling is happening on your home network is to do a speed test with and without a VPN connection. A slower internet speed on a VPN connection may indicate your ISP is throttling your internet speed.
Which ISPs are known to throttle internet speeds?
ISPs that are more likely to throttle your speed include satellite providers, fixed wireless and 5G providers. The infrastructure of these connection types depends on how busy the network is, so throttling is often necessary to keep every customer connected during busy times. Cable internet providers will throttle your speeds if you have excessive data use or exceed a data limit. Even cable providers that advertise unlimited service may have fine print that explains if your speed will be slower if you go over a set data amount.
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