When your computer is running slow and lagging, if you are like most people you may do a little mumbling under your breath and check out your wireless router. If you get really frustrated, you may even call up your internet service provider and give them an earful all about your paying for such-and-such speed and can't even load a page. However, before you get too carried away, make sure you know what is causing all the lag you are experiencing. There could be a handful of reasons why you are dealing with a slow-go computer that have nothing to do with your service.

Problem: You have too many devices connected through your wireless router.

One router can only handle so many devices. The typical home these days houses a myriad of wireless devices, from cell phones and laptops to smart TVs and game systems. If you have everything connected at one time, your router could be too small to handle everything at once. Try logging into your router's control interface from your computer and taking a look at all of the devices that are connected. Remove a few and see if you have a difference in speed.

Problem: Your computer could use a good cleaning.

If it has been a while since you cleaned out your computer, it could definitely have an effect on the speed of your PC. Download a good reliable and free PC cleaner like CCleaner if you don't already have one installed on your computer. These programs will sort through your hard drive, finding fragmented files, expired internet files, and anything else and then you have the choice to remove all of this extra junk that could be slowing you down.

Problem: You have people leeching off of your WiFi.

Leechers, sometimes called piggybackers, are everywhere, always on the lookout for a free path to internet service. If you don't have a secure connection and live in town, you could almost bet on the fact that there are people stealing the internet service you are paying for, which could be slowing you down. To stop this annoying behavior, make sure you have set up a secure, encrypted and password protected connection on your router. This can be done through the admin interface in the security panel.

If you have gone through all of the aforementioned things and still believe you have a slow connection, do a quick speed check online to make sure you have the Mbps that you are paying for with your service provider. If you do find your speed is actually not where it should be, go ahead and call up your internet service provider and let them know. If you're looking for a new internet service provider, visit Solarus.

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