Why Does My Broadband Speed Fluctuate?

Broadband refers to the highspeed delivery of data over the internet; this can be over coaxial cables, fiber-optic cables, DSL or satellite connections. The width of the bandwidth can vary between frequencies of 50-7,000 Hz and this is crucial for facilitating high-definition audio and video streaming. While it is recommended that your broadband connection offers 25Mbps as download speeds and 3Mbps as uploading speeds, there might be some variations depending on your specific needs, cost or availability.

Ultimately, your chosen broadband package depends on its usage – if you are into live streaming or gaming or into heavy downloading and uploading, then a 100Mbps connection would be best.

What is broadband speed fluctuation?

The broadband speed connections become inconsequential if there is fluctuation in speeds. When speeds fluctuate, it could lead to pixilation and freeze during Zoom/Skype calls, to websites taking ages to open or to uploading/downloading going on hold sometimes. Aside from being frustrating, it could cause delays in your work and losses in businesses. Before calling up your ISP however, run an online check to confirm the level of fluctuation and then look for solutions.

Remedies for Broadband Speed Fluctuation

Here’s a look at some ways to counter speed fluctuation by yourself:

Viruses

Sometimes a mischievous virus could be the culprit behind the fluctuating speeds. Ensure that you have a good anti-malware or anti-virus software installed for protection from viruses that could slowly destroy their way through your system’s software. Run a virus scan to check for any nasty surprises.

Background apps 

Sometimes fluctuations could be caused by bandwidth-hogging apps running in the background. Applications like Outlook, Skype or Zoom are data-hungry and could lead to slowdowns on your system.

Peak Hours

Check if your speeds only fluctuate during high traffic hours or throughout the day too. Peak traffic hours can result in slowing down and traffic jams over the internet in some localities. Bad weather or a weak Wi-Fi signal can also result in dips in speeds.

Software/Hardware

If the RAM or processer in your internet-enabled device is faulty, it could disrupt broadband speeds too. Any issues with your modem’s hardware or your Wi-Fi’s external connection to the cable outlet could also be a reason. Do check thoroughly.