Why Your Fiber Internet Is Slow & How To Fix It Fast
The Frustration of Slow Fiber Internet
We’ve all been there at some point — frustration building as we struggle to hear coworkers in a choppy Teams call or miss the biggest moment of the season due to buffering. A slow internet connection is more than an inconvenience; it can disrupt your work, entertainment and everyday tasks, like installing important updates or video-chatting with loved ones.
When it happens over a fiber optic connection, which is often considered the best type of home internet service, it can be especially infuriating. With upload and download speeds that often exceed 1,000 Megabits per second (Mbps), fiber optic internet has the capacity to provide a seamless online experience while powering all of your connected devices at once. So, when your fiber internet doesn’t deliver, it can be a huge letdown.
Here’s the good news: more often than not, fiber internet slowdowns can be fixed quickly and easily. In this guide, we’ll walk you through a series of simple steps that can help you identify and resolve the most frequent culprits behind slow fiber internet speeds so you can get back to enjoying your online activities without interruptions.
Common Causes of Slow Fiber Internet
If your fiber optic internet isn’t performing as well as you’d hoped, we’re here to help. In this section, we’ll explore some of the most common culprits behind slow fiber internet. Later, we’ll provide detailed solutions and walk you through them step-by-step to help you get your network up to speed. For now, let’s look at several factors that may be causing your speed to slow down.
- Your router is outdated. If you’re using an older router, it may not be equipped to handle the lightning-fast upload and download speeds delivered by a fiber connection. It may also struggle to support more than a few devices at once. Fortunately, many newer router models can deliver gigabit speeds to dozens of devices simultaneously. For more information, check out our blog post: How to Choose the Right Router for Your Home
- Your router is too far away. The farther away you are from your router, the weaker the signal becomes. This is especially true in more spacious homes, spaces with thick walls, or in rooms with lots of large furniture, equipment, or electronics.
- Your home network is congested. How many devices are connected to your home’s internet? Many routers aren’t built to handle more than a few devices at once. If everyone you live with is streaming, gaming, or downloading large files simultaneously, it can overload your network.
- Your cables are damaged or loose. Ethernet cables that are worn out, damaged or not properly connected can slow down or interrupt your connection.
- You’re using the wrong Ethernet cables. Older Ethernet cables, like Cat 5, can limit your speed. For gigabit speeds, you’ll need Ethernet cables that are Cat 6 or higher.
- You’re experiencing high latency. Latency refers to the time it takes for data to travel from your device to its destination and back. High latency, especially during real-time activities like online gaming, live streaming, or video calls can make your internet feel sluggish.
- Your devices are out-of-date. If your connected devices are running old software or have outdated hardware, they may not be able to process today’s fiber-fast speeds.
- Your ISP is throttling your speeds. Some internet service providers (ISPs) may intentionally slow down — or “throttle” — your connection in certain conditions, such as peak times, after your data limits have been exceeded or when you visit certain websites.
- Your network is infected with malware or unwanted programs. Viruses, malware, and hidden cryptocurrency miners may be running on your devices without your permission. This malicious software can eat up your resources, use up bandwidth, and slow down your internet. It’s important to regularly scan your devices for these threats and remove any suspicious programs.
By recognizing these common issues, you’ll be better equipped to spot and address any slowdowns in your fiber internet connection. In the next section, we’ll guide you through practical solutions to each of these problems so you can enjoy the fast, reliable internet you expect from your fiber connection.
Top Reasons Your Fiber Internet Is Slow
If your fiber internet feels slower than expected, there could be several factors at play. Let’s dive into the top reasons why your connection might be lagging and how you can fix them.
1. Check Your Internet Speed.
One of the first steps to identifying why your fiber internet might be slow is to run an internet speed test. This will give you a clear idea of your current upload and download speeds and help determine if you’re getting the performance you expect from your plan.
How to do it:
- Visit a trusted internet speed test website. To learn more about speed tests, check out our blog post: How Do Internet Speed Tests Work?
- To get the most accurate results, disconnect your other devices from the internet and close any online apps.
- If possible, connect your device directly to your router with an Ethernet cable.
- Run the speed test and compare the results with the advertised speeds from your internet plan.
- If your speeds are consistently lower than expected, skip to the next step.
- If your speeds meet expectations but your connection still feels slow, the issue may be with your devices, not your fiber internet.
2. Restart Your Router
Restarting your router is one of the easiest ways to resolve minor internet speed issues. Often, these devices just need a fresh reboot to clear out temporary glitches and restore your connection to full speed.
How to do it:
- Unplug your router.
- Wait for about 60 seconds to make sure it fully resets.
- Plug it back in and wait for it to reboot.
- Once your router indicates that it’s back online, test your internet speed again to see if the problem is resolved.
3. Inspect Hardware and Connections
Loose, damaged or outdated hardware can cause significant slowdowns in your internet connection. Checking your cables and equipment can help identify issues that may be interfering with your fiber speeds.
How to do it:
- Inspect all Ethernet and power cables for wear and tear. Look for frayed, bent, discolored or exposed cords.
- Make sure all cables are securely connected to the correct ports on your wall, router and devices.
- Check the condition of your router. If you notice any physical damage or wear, it might be time to replace it.
- Make sure you’re using the correct type of Ethernet cables. For gigabit speeds, we recommend using Cat 6 or higher. Look along the length of the cable for a printed text or a label that says “Cat” (short for “Category”) and a number. For example, it may say “Cat 5” or “Cat 6.”
- For most home users, a Cat 6 or Cat 6a Ethernet cable is usually sufficient, but Cat 7 or Cat 8 cables could be useful for future-proofing a setup or for very high-speed networks.
4. Scan for Viruses and Malware
Malware and viruses can slow down your internet by consuming resources and bandwidth. Regularly scanning your devices for these security threats can help protect your internet speed and keep your devices running smoothly.
- Use reputable antivirus software to run a full scan on your devices. If you’re an EPB customer, McAfee™ LiveSafe™ antivirus software is included free with FiSpeed Internet. Learn More.
- Remove any detected malware, viruses or suspicious programs, such as crypto coin miners.
- Schedule regular scans to automatically check for threats and keep your devices secure.
- Keep your operating system and antivirus software up to date.
5. Reduce WiFi Interference
WiFi signals can be disrupted by other electronic devices or even physical obstructions, like walls and furniture. Reducing interference can significantly improve your connection quality and overall speed.
How to do it:
- Move your router to a central location in your home, away from thick walls and large electronics.
- Keep the router elevated and out in the open for better signal distribution.
- Avoid placing the router near devices that can cause interference, like microwaves or cordless phones.
- Log into your router’s settings and try switching to a less congested WiFi channel, especially if you’re in an area with lots of neighboring networks.
- For more details on boosting your WiFi speeds, check out our other blog posts on this topic: 9 Simple Ways to Fix a Weak WiFi Signal, The Best Place to Put Your Router for Strong WiFi and How to Stop Your WiFi From Disconnecting.
When to Contact Your ISP If Your Fiber Internet Is Slow
If your fiber internet speed remains sluggish after troubleshooting, it may be time to reach out to your ISP. Here are some situations where contacting your ISP makes sense:
- If your speeds are consistently slow: If your connection continues to lag despite restarting your router, moving your router and checking your equipment, it’s time to call your ISP.
- If your speeds are significantly slower than advertised.
- If your internet keeps going out or disconnecting.
- If the internet is slow on all your devices.
Broadband Label Laws:
In 2024, the United States Federal Communications Commission (FCC) introduced new Broadband Consumer Labels to provide clear and accurate information about internet service plans, similar to FDA nutrition labels (view EPB’s broadband labels here). The goal of these labels is to help internet customers make informed choices about their service, including details like:
- Broadband speeds (download and upload).
- Pricing, including introductory rates and hidden fees.
- Data allowances.
- Network management practices and privacy policies.
If your ISP isn’t providing these labels when you order your service, or the information seems inaccurate, the FCC recommends filing a complaint. Learn More.
Upgrading Your Fiber Internet Plan
With the number of connected devices in the average American household now reaching 21, it’s possible that your internet needs have simply outgrown the capacity of your current plan. From smart TVs and tablets to gaming consoles and smart home devices, our bandwidth usage can really add up. If your internet speeds aren’t keeping up with your day-to-day online activities, upgrading to a higher-tier plan could be the solution.
Here’s how a plan upgrade can benefit you:
- Faster download and upload speeds so you can rapidly send, back up or receive files.
- Plenty of bandwidth to power an entire home of devices and online activities simultaneously.
- Buffer-free streaming, lag-free gaming and lifelike video calls.
Upgrading your fiber internet plan can make all the difference in ensuring your household stays connected without interruptions. Whether you’re powering a growing number of devices, streaming your favorite shows, playing online video games or working from home, a faster plan gives you the bandwidth you need for a seamless online experience.
With faster speeds and more capacity, you can enjoy the benefits of a truly connected home — no lag and no buffering. If your current speeds aren’t cutting it, now might be the perfect time to upgrade.
Enjoying the Need for Speed
In today’s digital world, a fast, reliable internet connection isn’t just a luxury — it’s a necessity. Whether you’re streaming movies, working from home, or video calling friends and family, consistent high-speed internet is key to staying connected, engaged, entertained and productive. That’s why it’s important to ensure your fiber internet is running at peak performance.
Diagnosing and fixing slow fiber internet may seem like a daunting task, but it often comes down to a few common culprits. By troubleshooting issues like outdated or damaged equipment, poor router location or too many connected devices, you can often resolve performance problems on your own.
Simple steps like restarting or repositioning your router and replacing your Ethernet cables can go a long way. And if all else fails, contacting your ISP for help is always a good idea — especially if you’ve already done your part by documenting speed tests and taking steps to resolve the issue.
If you’ve outgrown your current speeds or want to make the most of your online experience, consider upgrading your plan so you can enjoy enhanced speeds, bandwidth for more devices and a smoother, more reliable online experience.
For residents of Chattanooga, Tennessee, and surrounding areas, only EPB provides 100% fiber optic internet. Choose from fiber internet plans with symmetrical upload and download speeds, starting at 300 Mbps up to 10 Gigs and beyond with unlimited data, no contracts and local 24/7/365 customer service and EPB Tech ProsSM support. Ready to take your internet experience to the next level? Find your perfect speed at EPB.
