There is nothing more frustrating than a slow mobile data connection . Whether you have to do a Google search or check out new posts on Facebook, you are paying a certain fee each month and expecting a certain level of speed. And when the service doesn’t even reach the minimum level, it’s easy to get upset.
In most cases, a slow connection is only temporary, and is caused by location or network congestion. Other times it can persist for hours or even days. Before grabbing your cell phone to call your mobile operator, check these seven points to see if they can solve your connection problems.
1) Restart your mobile phone
It sounds simple and corny, but it often works. Especially if you haven’t turned it off for a long time.
2) Change your position
Many factors can impact a cell phone’s data connection. These include weather, grid congestion, and even solar activity. But above all, geography and buildings.
If you are in a remote area, or there are many natural barriers around you such as hills, mountains and valleys, these can affect the signal.
The same goes for buildings. You may be in the middle of a densely populated area and have five notches, and then see the signal collapse as you enter certain structures.
If you have speed problems that seem to have started in a certain place, try moving, a few meters or a few kilometers. While this may be inconvenient, it is an attempt to fix the problem.
3) Disable and update apps
Sometimes an app can cause problems by congesting your data connection and slowing it down. In this case it is advisable to do a little investigation to see what is slowing down the cell phone.
On the iPhone, go to Settings> Cellular and disable app access to your data connection.
On Android go to Settings> Wireless & networks> Data usage, tap an app, then turn on the “Restrict background app data” option.
4) Disconnect from any VPN
VPNs provide anonymity and privacy, but they can also slow down connection speeds when using remote servers. So, if your mobile is connected to a VPN, unplug it and try again.
You are likely to notice immediate improvement as soon as you disconnect.
5) Check for any network problems
While internet providers love to boast of the reliability of their network, blackouts are always possible. They often result in reduced speeds or even lost connections. If you can connect via Wi-Fi, you can investigate by going to social media.
6) Reset the network settings
Resetting the network settings, such as restarting the cellphone, often fixes a slow data connection. The problem is that it also resets the Wi-Fi access points and Bluetooth devices. Not that it’s the end of the world, but after that you’ll have to reconnect the Wi-Fi and re-pair the Bluetooth devices.
7) Extract the SIM
Finally, you can remove and reinsert the SIM from its slot. Of course, first turn off your mobile phone to prevent any damage. Also, make sure you stand on a table or flat surface.
Finally …. are you really sure that you have not gone beyond the Giga number that your tariff plan provides? Many providers expect a drastic slowdown in connection speed in that case.
Also be careful not to download for hours at maximum speed, some providers may “conform” your connection to run much slower.
