How to check your internet connection and speed

Understanding internet connection basics

The internet connection setup can vary depending on your internet service provider, location, and available service options. While network connections involve many technical factors, the first step in solving any connection problems is identifying your internet connection type.

DSL

A digital subscriber line (DSL) uses pre-existing telephone lines to send and receive data from the internet. It’s similar to dial-up connections, but DSL uses different frequencies for your phone and internet. This type of connection is mainly found in areas with limited infrastructure for more advanced internet options.

Fiber

Fiber internet is widely considered the gold standard of internet connections. It uses fiber-optic cables to transmit data, outperforming other connection types in terms of performance. However, fiber is less accessible because not as many places have the necessary infrastructure to support it.

Cable

Cable internet sends and receives data over the same lines used for cable television. This type of connection provides generally reliable internet speeds for connected devices. However, the signal strength diminishes during peak usage hours.

Satellite

Satellite internet is the best option if you’re looking for broad coverage but generally lower speeds. A satellite dish can be installed nearly anywhere with a clear sky view, making it a preferred option for remote towns. Satellite internet offers coverage in rural or remote areas that lack the infrastructure to support other types of internet connections.

Checking internet connection status on different devices

Most devices today can seamlessly connect to Wi-Fi. However, the method for checking your internet connection’s status will depend on the operating system installed on your device. Here are the steps to check your internet speed across different devices:

Mac

1. Open your Apple menu.
2. Navigate to “System settings.”
3. Open “Network.”

Windows

1. Open your start menu.
2. Navigate to “Settings.”
3. Open “Network & internet.”

Linux

1. Tap the Signal icon.
2. Navigate to “Network manager.”
3. Open “Wi-Fi settings.”

Android

1. Open your settings menu.
2. Navigate to “Network & internet” or “Connections.”
3. Open “Wi-Fi” or “Mobile networks.”

iOS

1. Open your settings menu.
2. Navigate to “Wi-Fi” to check on any Wi-Fi connections.
3. Navigate to “Cellular” to check on any mobile connections.

Using built-in utilities and apps

Depending on your devices, they may have built-in applications or utility tools to display, diagnose, and fix internet connectivity issues. For example, if you’re also using a VPN, you can try out a VPN speed test tool to check your connection speed.

Why you should use a command prompt to check connection stability

Another way to conduct an internet health test is to execute specific commands in your computer’s command prompt. This approach only works on desktop devices. On mobile devices, an equivalent approach is to download apps that allow you to emulate these diagnostic functions.

Using the command prompt to “ping” your network connection lets you evaluate latency rather than speed. This approach is useful if you’re doing tasks that require a stable internet connection or are developing apps that demand network stability.

Using online internet speed tests

If you want an easily accessible tool to check your internet connection and speed (including other details like jitter or IP lookup), websites offering online internet speed tests are a reliable solution. Unlike device-specific diagnostics, these tools work across all operating systems and internet connection types. As long as your device has a web browser, you can easily check your internet connection with these tools.

Troubleshooting common connection issues

If your diagnostics indicate issues with your internet connection (such as its stability, latency, or speed), you can try the quick fixes below to restore your connection.

Restart your device/modem

For most situations, restarting your device or modem should be enough to refresh the connection between your devices and the internet. Be sure to allow sufficient time for the modem to power cycle — disconnect it completely by unplugging it for 5-10 minutes. This process helps get rid of any excess heat and ensures enough time to refresh connections.

Check on wires

It’s easy to overlook whether your modem or router is plugged in. Sometimes, simply unplugging and replugging the wires can refresh your internet connection. Other wires to check can be an Ethernet cable or the wires between your modem and router.

Don’t let your router/modem overheat

Extreme temperatures, especially heat, can affect your devices. Overheating modems and mobile devices often result in reduced performance. Ensuring that your devices aren’t overheating can be an effective troubleshooting strategy for various performance-related problems.

Change the location of your router/modem

If you primarily use Wi-Fi for internet access, ensure your router is placed in an area with a strong Wi-Fi signal. In most cases, positioning the router in a central area of your house or office can improve connectivity for all devices.

Check for network congestion issues

Frequent latency issues may indicate network congestion, a common problem in offices or households that demand high data usage. Network congestion typically occurs when a network can’t keep up with the demand for data traffic. To alleviate congestion, consider limiting your usage during peak hours or talk to your internet service provider about an upgrade.

Diagnose the specific service or website

Sometimes, the problem isn’t with your device or internet connection. Websites can be down for maintenance, and servers may be overloaded. If you’ve checked your internet connection and found nothing wrong, the problem likely isn’t on your end. Try another website or check another service to determine if the outage is specific to that provider.

Contact your internet service provider

If the above solutions fail or you still encounter frequent internet connectivity issues, the best action is to contact your internet service provider. The problem may be with your router, modem, or the physical infrastructure supplying internet service to your home. Filing a support ticket as early as possible is also key to preventing long-term connectivity issues.

Monitoring and improving internet connection quality

If you’re worried about your speed and bandwidth slowing down or throttling over time, you can conduct regular speed tests. To improve the quality of your internet connection in the long term, you can talk to your internet service provider and upgrade your data plan. After assessing how much internet speed you need, you can choose the internet plan that best meets your needs.

Advanced technique: How to check internet connection using Python scripting

Python developers may need to test their network or internet connection to incorporate speed testing into applications or scripts made with Python. A straightforward testing method involves using the speedtest-cli library in Python.

This library can help you write a script that displays both upload and download speeds by calling its .download and .upload methods. If errors are caught when the script runs, they’ll be displayed as exceptions in the results.

While this method can reliably show your overall network speed and internet connection status, using your device’s built-in resources or any of the other methods described above to check your internet speed will typically yield faster results.

FAQ

How can I check if my internet connection is stable?

Any device with internet capabilities includes an option to check the network connection status in its settings. These settings often display details like signal strength, connection status, or data usage, though detailed speed information may not always be available. For more comprehensive diagnostics, methods like speed tests, continuous ping tests, network monitoring software, or built-in troubleshooting tools can help assess network stability and performance.

What is the best way to test internet speed for online gaming?

Connection speeds vary depending on your provider, device, and the general conditions in your area. You can use an online speed test tool or a built-in network connection tester provided by your ISP. Whichever method you choose, it’s usually recommended that you have an upload speed of 5-10 Mbps and a download speed of 10-25 Mbps if you plan to use your internet connection for online gaming.

How do I check my internet status on a smart TV?

Smart TVs usually have a dedicated program in their menu that will allow you to test and set up your internet connection. The specific settings and options available may vary depending on the brand of your smart TV:

• Samsung Smart TVs. Navigate to “Settings” > “Support” > “Self diagnosis.” Select the “Start smart hub connection test.”
• LG Smart TVs. To check connection speeds, go to any website offering a speed test tool.
• Vizio Smart TVs. Press the menu button and navigate to “Network” > “Test connection.”

If your smart TV’s device capabilities include web browsing or directly connecting to streaming services, you can check your network speeds directly from the browser or the streaming platform.

Can internet speed tests affect my bandwidth?

Since internet speed tests measure maximum speed, if you’re using a limited data plan, you risk going over your allotted data limits with frequent testing. Aside from that, any effects on your bandwidth should be minimal, typically resulting in brief slowdowns.

How to use ping to check internet connection

If you’re on a Windows, Mac, or Linux desktop computer, you can conduct a ping test to check for network problems. The specific steps will vary depending on your operating system:

• Windows 10. Run “Command prompt,” then type “Ping -n 10 x,” where X is the IP address you want to ping and “-n” refers to how many pings you want to send. Press “Enter” and view the results.
• Mac. Run “Terminal,” then click “Ping -c 10 x,” where X is the IP address you’d like to ping, and “-c” refers to how many pings you want to send. Press “Enter” and view the results.
• Linux. Run “Terminal,” then type “ping -c 10 x,” where X is the IP address you’d like to ping, and “-c” refers to how many pings you want to send. Press “Enter” and view the results.

Pinging is an excellent way to check for connectivity issues. However, remember that it’s solely a diagnostic tool and can’t help you fix any internet connectivity issues you may encounter.