Manage Your Network Congestion

Tips for Reducing Traffic on Your Local Network

Is your internet slow or unresponsive even though you’re connected to Wi-Fi?

Local network congestion can occur when too many devices are using the network simultaneously, causing slowdowns and interruptions. Upgrading to Swift-Net’s Whole-Home Wi-Fi powered by Calix can significantly reduce network congestion by optimizing your network’s performance and ensuring strong, reliable coverage throughout your home. This guide will help you understand the common causes of network congestion and provide additional steps to manage and reduce traffic on your network for a smoother and more stable internet experience.

Common Causes of Local Network Congestion

Understanding What Might Be Slowing Down Your Network

Multiple Devices Streaming or Downloading

When several devices are streaming videos, playing online games, or downloading large files simultaneously, the available bandwidth can be quickly consumed, causing network congestion and slowing down all connected devices.

Background Applications and Updates

Many devices run applications in the background that use the internet without you realizing it. This includes automatic updates, cloud backups, and syncing services, which can consume a significant amount of bandwidth and contribute to network congestion.

High-Bandwidth Activities

Activities like video conferencing, online gaming, and HD video streaming require a lot of bandwidth. If multiple high-bandwidth activities are happening at the same time, it can overwhelm your network and cause congestion. Call us today to talk about upgrading your speeds!

Old or Outdated Router

Older routers may not support modern Wi-Fi standards or provide enough bandwidth to handle multiple devices and high-bandwidth activities, leading to network congestion. Upgrading to a newer router with better technology can help alleviate this issue.

Inadequate Router Settings

Improper router settings, such as not utilizing Quality of Service (QoS) features or using outdated security protocols, can limit your network’s performance and contribute to congestion. Properly configuring your router settings can help manage traffic more effectively.

Signal Interference

Interference from other Wi-Fi networks or electronic devices can disrupt your Wi-Fi signal, causing slower speeds and network congestion. This is especially common in densely populated areas with many overlapping networks.

Troubleshooting Steps

Follow These Steps to Reduce Network Congestion

Step 1: Limit the Number of Active Devices

Disconnect devices that are not in use and limit the number of devices streaming, gaming, or downloading simultaneously. Reducing the number of active devices can free up bandwidth and reduce network congestion.

Step 2: Schedule High-Bandwidth Activities

Plan activities like large downloads, cloud backups, or streaming during off-peak hours when fewer devices are using the network. This can help distribute the bandwidth usage more evenly and reduce congestion.

Step 3: Use Quality of Service (QoS) Settings

Log into your router’s settings and enable Quality of Service (QoS) to prioritize certain devices or types of traffic. This ensures that critical activities like video calls or online gaming get the necessary bandwidth, reducing the impact of other activities. Our Whole-Home Wi-Fi powered by Calix has these settings. Call us today to learn more!

Step 4: Optimize Router Placement and Settings

Ensure your router is placed in a central location, away from walls, electronic devices , and wiring that could interfere with the signal. Check your router settings to ensure you’re using the latest Wi-Fi standards and security protocols for optimal performance.

Step 5: Update or Upgrade Your Router

Check for firmware updates on your router’s manufacturer website and install them to improve performance and security. If your router is old or struggling to handle multiple devices, consider upgrading to Swift-Net’s Whole-Home Wi-Fi powered by Calix. This solution provides enhanced bandwidth management and coverage, reducing congestion and improving overall network performance.

Step 6: Reduce Signal Interference

Keep your router away from devices that can cause interference, like microwaves, cordless phones, and baby monitors. Using the 5GHz band can also help reduce interference as it is usually less crowded than the 2.4GHz band.

Thinking about replacing your router? Or need better Wi-Fi coverage?

Whole-Home Managed Wi-Fi is the solution!

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I tell if my network is congested?

Network congestion can manifest as slow internet speeds, buffering while streaming videos, or delays in online gaming and video calls. Here are a few ways to check if your network is congested:

Speed Test: Use an online speed test tool to measure your current internet speed. If the results are significantly lower than the speed you're subscribed to, it could indicate congestion.
Peak Usage Times: Check if slowdowns occur during high-traffic times, like evenings when more users are online.
Device Count: Consider how many devices are connected to your network. If multiple devices are streaming, gaming, or downloading large files, your bandwidth might be stretched.

If you're unsure or need further assistance, contact Swift-Net support for a deeper analysis and recommendations.

Will upgrading my internet plan reduce network congestion?

Upgrading your internet plan can help reduce network congestion in certain scenarios, but it depends on the root cause of the congestion.

When Upgrading Can Help:

High Bandwidth Demands: If multiple users or devices in your household are streaming, gaming, or downloading simultaneously, a higher-speed plan can provide more bandwidth to accommodate these activities without slowing down.
Outdated Plan: If your current plan no longer meets your household’s needs (e.g., a plan designed for basic browsing but now supporting HD streaming and gaming), an upgrade will likely improve performance.
Peak Usage Times: If your provider offers higher-speed tiers with better prioritization during peak usage times, upgrading can reduce slowdowns.
When Upgrading Might Not Help:
External Network Congestion: If your provider's infrastructure is congested (e.g., too many users sharing the same local network), upgrading your plan might not resolve the issue. Contact your ISP to confirm.
Router or Hardware Limitations: If your router or modem cannot handle higher speeds or too many devices, upgrading your plan won’t fix the bottleneck. Ensure your equipment is compatible with the new plan.
Wi-Fi Issues:If your congestion is due to Wi-Fi interference or weak signals, a faster plan won’t improve coverage. Consider upgrading to a mesh network or using a wired connection.
Device Performance: Older devices with outdated network adapters may not take full advantage of higher speeds.

Can using a wired connection help with network congestion?

Yes! A wired connection provides a direct, stable link to your router, avoiding Wi-Fi interference and sharing issues. It's ideal for high-bandwidth activities like gaming, streaming, or video calls. Connecting key devices via Ethernet also frees up Wi-Fi for others.While not practical for every device, combining wired and wireless connections can greatly improve your network's overall performance. For tips for your specific use-case, reach out to Swift-Net support!

I need more help.

If none of these suggestions helped your congestion issues, please click here to contact us!

Additional Resources

Explore our other comprehensive guides for more tips on optimizing your internet experience and troubleshooting other common issues. Click below to access detailed resources and step-by-step instructions.

Explore our other comprehensive guides for more tips on optimizing your internet experience and troubleshooting other common issues. Tap the topics below to access detailed resources and step-by-step instructions.