I'm subscribed to a 1000/1000 Mbps internet plan and expected to get those speeds, but I'm consistently only seeing about 200 Mbps download and 30 Mbps upload. I have a Cat 6 cable and connected directly to the router provided by my ISP. I've never even come close to the advertised speeds; the highest I've hit was around 300 Mbps. Can anyone help me figure out why my speeds are so low?
5 Answers
First, it’s worth checking whether you’re testing speeds over WiFi or Ethernet. Also, just because you're paying for a gigabit plan doesn't always guarantee you’ll reach those speeds consistently. Make sure you're plugged in directly via Ethernet. Also, if you’re using any VPNs or firewall software, those could throttle your speeds too. It’s important to check any software settings limiting your connection.
You should check if your PC is directly connected to the router and not through a switch. If possible, test with a different device to see if the problem persists. If you're getting better speeds with a different device and cable, then it's likely an issue with your setup or your PC. If not, then it might be worth contacting your provider to see if there’s a problem in your area.
I’m connected directly. The cable's a short Cat 6, and I get similar speeds on my phone wirelessly. It doesn't make sense!
Another thing to try is connecting directly to the modem instead of the router, just to see if it changes anything. If it's still slow, then you'd want to check if your cable is faulty or contact your ISP for assistance.
You might want to look into settings on your Ethernet adapter; sometimes people overlook whether it’s set to Full Duplex. If it’s set incorrectly, it can significantly impact your speeds!
Yeah, I checked that, and it is set to Full Duplex!
Just a heads up, it’s pretty common to not get a 1:1 download and upload speed, especially with fiber networks. Providers are required to show the average speeds, so doing a bit of research might help you understand what to expect.
Fair point, but my ISP claims it's 1Gbps both ways!

I’ve tested it directly with Ethernet and still get low speeds. I'm not using a VPN though.