We all appreciate quick uploads and downloads, but when troubleshooting issues, is running a speed test always the best first step?
Here's a straightforward guide to help you understand exactly when a speed test can give us valuable information—and when it might not be the best diagnostic tool.
When is a speed test helpful?
A speed test is useful when you're encountering specific problems with uploads or downloads. Checking your connection speed helps us quickly rule out or confirm speed-related issues.
When this happens, we will ask you to go to this website and send us back the results via a screenshot. This tells us whether or not the speed itself is causing the problem and allows us to troubleshoot accurately.
When is a speed test unhelpful?
In most other situations, a speed test won't fully explain why you're experiencing slow speeds or other issues. Factors unrelated to your internet speed can often be the cause, such as:
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Firewalls and security settings
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Antivirus software
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Proxy configurations
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Local or remote server issues
Even perfect speed test results don't rule out these potential factors, so it's important to consider the bigger picture.
In short:
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Useful: Speed tests effectively identify speed-related issues
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Not Useful: Beyond that, speed tests don't offer much insight into other technical issues