I've got a 1 GB internet plan through Spectrum in Southern California, but I'm only seeing speeds of around 250 Mbps on my gaming PC and iPhone 15 Pro, no matter when I test. My setup includes a Netgear Nighthawk R7000 AC1900 router connected with a Cat 5e cable, and while I know this router is on the older side, it should still be capable of faster speeds. For technical details, my PC is using Intel's Wi-Fi 6 AX200 adapter on the 5 GHz band, with an aggregated link speed of 866 Mbps both ways.
I've made sure there aren't other devices hogging bandwidth during tests, and although Spectrum's speed test says my modem gets around 1100 Mbps, the router only shows 220 Mbps. Unfortunately, I don't have any devices with an ethernet port to check a direct modem connection, but I'm suspecting the router might be the issue. Are there specific settings or something I should be tweaking on the router?
5 Answers
It’s very likely that your WiFi connection is the bottleneck. WiFi speed claims are usually under optimal conditions, which most homes don’t meet. To really see performance, consider getting a wired connection. USB Gigabit ethernet adapters are pretty affordable and can enhance performance significantly, especially if your device has limited ports. Upgrading to a newer router that supports the 6GHz band may help too, but WiFi has limitations.
Spectrum has its downsides; internet speeds can fluctuate greatly depending on how many people are using the service in your area, especially during peak hours. Just remember, what you’re paying for is a maximum speed, not necessarily what you’ll consistently get.
First, I'd recommend plugging directly into your modem to see if you get better speeds. If you do, it's likely the router causing the slowdown. I faced something similar when switching to fiber; the older router was the bottleneck and replacing it helped.
From what you described, it sounds like you're getting around 220 Mbps over WiFi with the devices connected. The best way to verify your true speed is to connect directly via ethernet to the modem. Remember, WiFi speeds can be affected by distance and obstacles, so testing next to the router and then further away can help you see how your speeds compare. If you’re still not hitting expected speeds, look into changing your WiFi channel to one of the least crowded (1, 6, or 11).
I’ve had issues with Spectrum too, and they replaced my modem last fall, which improved my speeds. They now provide modems as part of their service, which might be worth checking into if you still have your own modem.
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