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How to Speed Up Your Cable or DSL Service

Maximize your broadband connection speed

By Bradley Mitchell Bradley Mitchell Writer Massachusetts Institute of Technology University of Illinois An MIT graduate who brings years of technical experience to articles on SEO, computers, and wireless networking. lifewire's editorial guidelines Updated on November 2, 2021 Tweet Share Email Tweet Share Email Working From Home The Ultimate Guide to Shopping Online The Ultimate Guide to Online Learning at Home The Ultimate Guide to Skype

What to Know

Common broadband tweaks involve adjusting parameters of the TCP/IP network protocol.You can also try changing web browser settings, such as preventing large image downloads.Some of these changes can create instability in some networks and may need to be avoided.
Is your internet running slow? If your cable or DSL broadband internet connection seems slow, these tweaks may speed it up.

Types of Broadband Speed Tweaks

Today's techniques typically aim at specific applications such as P2P file-sharing systems and games. The most common broadband tweaks involve adjusting parameters of the TCP/IP network protocol, typically: TCP receive window sizeMaximum transmission unit (MTU)Maximum segment size (MSS)Time to live (TTL) The Microsoft Windows Registry contains default values for TCP/IP parameters. To apply these speed tweaks to your computer, use a Registry editor to change the default values on each, rebooting the computer each time. Other operating systems such as Linux and macOS provide alternative mechanisms to tune TCP/IP parameters or DNS settings. Another common broadband tweak entails manipulating web browser settings. For example, suppressing the download of large images saves network bandwidth that can be used instead to download other data faster. Finally, although this is a less commonly used method, modify the settings on the router and modem. For example, change the TCP/IP MTU settings on a broadband router.

Make Broadband Tweaks Work for You

Because speed tweaks can cause computer and network crashes if made improperly, test each change individually before making the next one. To determine whether a speed tweak works, use an internet speed test service to measure performance before and after making a tweak. In addition, try local file transfers, web downloads, online games, and other applications you use often to assess whether a tweak makes any noticeable difference. Don't hesitate to undo a change if you don't observe any benefit.

Limitations of Broadband Speed Tweaks

Broadband speed tweaks come with a few caveats: Attempt these broadband tweaks only after your network is tested and runs reliably. Speed tweaks are performance optimizations only; they're not designed to fix installation errors or basic network configuration issues.These changes might yield only small speed increases, and then only in certain situations. For example, a tweak to improve the performance of one online game might benefit only that title, and only initially as it loads.These changes might help certain applications such as games while slowing down others such as web browsing.In general, expect only a 5 percent to 10 percent gain rather than 50 percent to 100 percent.These changes can create instability in some networks. Depending on the type of equipment and internet service you use, some are technically incompatible and best avoided.
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