Slow or dropping? Try these first.
Before you switch, rule out the easy fixes. If the problems keep coming back, the line is likely the cause — and that is when switching makes sense.
Six fixes worth five minutes
- Restart the modem and router. Unplug both for thirty seconds, then plug the modem in first.
- Test with a cable. Run a speed test wired to the modem. This separates Wi-Fi problems from line problems.
- Move the router. Centrally, off the floor, away from microwaves and thick walls.
- Check for outages. Your provider’s app or website will show known problems.
- Count your devices. Many devices streaming at once can fill a small plan.
- Check your equipment. Old modems and routers can hold back a fast plan.
When it is the line, not you
If the wired speed test is far below your plan, drops come in the same patterns day after day, or technicians have visited without a lasting fix, the problem is likely outside your home. A different provider or technology (like fiber) is often the real fix.
Common questions
How do I know if the problem is my router or my provider?
Plug a laptop directly into the modem with a cable and run a speed test. If the wired speed is poor too, the issue is upstream of your Wi-Fi.
Why is my internet slower in the evening?
On shared cable networks, many neighbors online at once can slow things down. Fiber is less affected by this.
When is it time to switch?
If you have restarted equipment, checked for outages, and the same problems keep coming back over weeks, switching is worth a look.
Still having trouble?
Call us. We check Optimum and Verizon at your address and tell you honestly whether switching would help.
Ready for internet that just works?
One short call. We check what reaches your address, place the order through the official portal and help close out your old account. No cost to you.