Why is My Internet So Slow? Hint: It Might Not Be Your ISP’s Fault
In many of the Facebook groups I’m in, or even just around the neighborhood, people can be found complaining about their ISP (Internet Service Provider). They ask me, or the group in general, “why is my internet so slow?”. I can understand that they are frustrated with their slow internet connection, but often they are placing blame in the wrong place.
This just recently happened, when a neighbor of mine started complaining about how her ISP is the worst. It just happens to be the same ISP that I use, and mine is NOT the worst. In fact, we can stream movies on our 4 TVs at the same time. There is generally no hiccups or lag.
Then why is my internet so slow, when yours is so fast?
When you sign up for your internet service, they typically give you some equipment to make the internet function properly. This piece of equipment can usually function as your wifi router. However, that doesn’t mean that it should. What many people don’t understand is that relying on this equipment from the ISP is likely causing most of their problems.
You need a good wifi router
The main reason for this slowness is because the modem they gave you is terrible as a wifi router. You can still use their modem, but you will want to purchase your own wifi router to plug into it. As I’ve explained before, the wifi router is the most utilized piece of technology in your entire home. Without a proper wifi router, you will definitely experience a slow internet connection. I wouldn’t spend less than $ 200 on a wifi router for your home.
If you do already have a good wifi router, and it worked well in the past, but now seems to be slowing down, definitely look into replacing your router. As I mentioned, it is the most used electronic in your home, and it can start failing fairly quickly, especially if it is being stored in a hot location with no airflow.
Place your router in an open area
Another reason your internet is slow can be the location of your router. Especially if you have a large house, there can be dead spots that don’t get a great signal from your router. You can resolve this by purchasing a wifi mesh system like Orbi or buying extenders for the dead spots in your home.
It can be tempting to hide your router behind a shelf or books, or even create some cute DIY project that will hide your router. The only thing it will hide though is your internet connection. When you hinder the signal coming from the router, it can slow down your internet significantly. The router shouldn’t be too close to other electronics and should be out in the open.
Check your computers for viruses
The third reason your internet is slow is viruses on your computers. This can be true even if the slowness is happening in your entertainment devices, and not the computers themselves. A virus on your computers can clog your internet connection with traffic from the virus. The amount of traffic that can pass through a virus can take down major networks. Make sure to scan for viruses on all the computers and mobile devices on your network.
In addition to devices on your network that could have viruses, make sure there aren’t any rogue devices on your network too. Neighbor’s devices or nearby devices that are connected to your network could cause issues as well. Make sure that your wireless network has a wifi password that is not the default for the device.
Next time you are complaining about your slow internet connection, don’t immediately blame your internet service provider. Check these three things first, then call them to complain.
This Is How Italians Do Stuffing on Thanksgiving (Hint: With Sausage)
POPSUGAR is bringing you an exclusive look at Thanksgiving recipes from famous lifestyle influencers. We’re excited to present the first online look at this Italian sausage stuffing recipe from our assistant Food editor, Erin Cullum.
Unpopular opinion: turkey is the least exciting part of a Thanksgiving table. For me, it’s all about the sides, and growing up in an Italian household with a large family, my mom’s Italian sausage stuffing recipe is what I look forward to eating most every year. Mild Italian sausage pairs perfectly with the earthy flavors of fresh thyme, rosemary, and sage, and this savory side dish is a million times better than the boxed kind. I could eat multiple servings of this and homemade macaroni and cheese and be totally satisfied (that’s the Italian carb-lover in me).
Any time you’re making homemade stuffing, it’s important to have day-old bread so that it’s slightly dried out. I recommend buying a fresh loaf of bread the day before you plan to make the stuffing, but if you didn’t plan ahead, you can dry out bread in the oven for the same result. Another shortcut that makes this recipe easier is using an oven-safe skillet to cook and bake the stuffing in. Then it’s truly a one-pot dish, and it’ll save you a little stress when it comes time to wash your sky-high pile of dirty Thanksgiving dishes. Do as the Italians do – at least, in my family – and try this side dish that everyone will devour.
From Erin Cullum, POPSUGAR Food
Italian Sausage Stuffing
Ingredients
1 day-old loaf Italian bread, cut into 1-inch cubes, or oven-dried-out bread if you don’t have day-old
2 1/2 cups low-sodium chicken stock
6 links mild Italian sausage, casings removed
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon salted butter
1 large white onion, diced
4 celery stalks, diced
Salt and pepper
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon fresh thyme, sage, and rosemary, finely chopped
Fresh parsley for garnish, optional
Directions
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Place cubed bread in a bowl and set aside.
- Place 2 1/2 cups chicken stock in a small saucepan on a back burner over medium low heat, keeping warm.
- Heat a large nonstick (oven-safe, if possible) skillet over medium heat and add sausage, breaking up with a wooden spatula, and cook until browned, about 10 minutes. Remove sausage with a slotted spoon and transfer to a paper-towel-lined plate. Pour out all but about 1/2 tablespoon of excess fat.
- Add olive oil, butter, onion, and celery, and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened and translucent, 5-7 minutes. Add a generous pinch of salt and pepper. Add garlic and sauté for about 1 minute.
- Turn off heat and add sausage back into the skillet, and add the bread and herbs, stirring carefully to combine. Add 1/2 cup of the warm stock at a time, stirring to incorporate each time, until absorbed by the bread. Season with salt and pepper.
- If your skillet is oven-safe, place directly into oven. Alternatively, transfer stuffing to a large baking dish. Bake until stuffing is slightly browned and crispy on top but not entirely dry, 25-30 minutes. Top with fresh parsley, if using. Serve warm and topped with turkey gravy, if desired.
Information
- Category
- Side Dishes, Stuffing/dressing
- Cuisine
- Italian
- Yield
- 6 servings
