Can you picture a world without the Internet? The answer is no. Our lives are dependent on this invention and during the COVID times, this has been more evident than ever. We need the Internet to not just connect with others or for the sake of entertainment but to continue earning a living.
Every Internet user wants one thing from their connection – ultimate speed. Unfortunately, the Internet stutters and it’s not a pleasing experience at all. Whether you have got Cox Internet or any other high-speed Internet plan from a leading ISP, you are likely to be a victim of that some time or the other.
What is Internet Stuttering?
So what is Internet stuttering, you ask? Stuttering happens when your Internet speed freezes for a few minutes but returns to normal. The stutter repeats itself with the intervals of blinking of an eye.
The file that fails to upload, video streaming that freezes, the IM that doesn’t get sent, failure to connect to a proxy server – all this could be happening because your Internet stuttered. The worst part is you might not even know about it.
How to Know If Your Internet is Stuttering?
It’s difficult to even notice Internet stuttering when you are reading a blog online. But certain activities are affected when the Internet stutters. Watching a video is one of them. The video stops buffering for a few seconds and then goes back to normal.
Other Internet activities during which you might notice stuttering include failure to attach a file in an email, failure to download a research paper, broken pixels when you are on a video call, and so on. Gamers despise stutter the most, especially in the middle of live gaming. They could lose the game if the Internet stops for a bit.
Causes of Internet Stuttering
“Maybe my ISP isn’t reliable enough.” This is the first thing that must have come to your mind when thinking about the causes of stuttering. Yes, that’s true but the causes extend beyond that. You could be experiencing this problem because:
- You are using outdated equipment
- The Internet speed isn’t enough
- Your connection is overloaded
- The hardware (modem and router) require a reboot
- Bad position of the router
Some also say there’s a chance your PC has malware. Abnormal weather is also a possible cause. Before heading towards the solution of stuttering, determine the source to be on the right track.
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5 Easy Ways to Fix Stuttering
Just double-check your ISP’s account to ensure you are on top of bill pay. When you have missed the payment, some service providers limit the speed. Cross that from the checklist and try these top ways to fix Internet stuttering:
1: Reposition Your Router
When the location of the router is far away from where you are sitting and using your PC, move closer to it for getting better signals. You can also place the router in a central location so that everyone gets optimal signals.
2: Monitor Your Internet Speed
Use free Internet speed testing tools to monitor Internet speed at different times of the day. There is a possibility you are using the Internet during peak traffic hours and this makes you the victim of Internet stuttering. If that’s so, change your schedule to enjoy optimal speed and performance.
3: Check Your Hardware
There are good chances your Internet speed is perfect and the problem is faulty hardware. Make sure you are using the latest router and modem.
4: Check the Background Applications
Applications running in the background consume all the bandwidth and you are unable to complete the task at hand. Let’s suppose an app to ensure Internet safety for kids is running on the tablet, and you are trying to stream Dark Season 3, the streaming player most definitely will buffer. Closing that app will save you from the anguish.
It’s easy to close such apps on your smartphone but what about your PC? A simple solution is to close all extra tabs and focus on one activity at hand. For instance, when you have to download a file, don’t stream a video on YouTube or scroll on Facebook. This way, all speed is used to download the file without interruption.
5: Perform a Malware Scan
Don’t forget to test your PC for malware. Simply run a malware scan to identify possible threats. Should you catch anything, use an antivirus to kill the virus.
When All Fails, Switch Your ISP
Have you checked all that’s listed above but the Internet stuttering hasn’t stopped? Maybe your bandwidth needs have increased. If that’s not the case either, this is a good sign you must switch Internet service providers.
Choose a plan from reliable ISPs such as Cox service or the likes to settle for an Internet plan that meets your browsing needs and budget.
