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Why Is AT&T Internet So Slow: How To Fix It in 2024

Is your AT&T internet connection slow or bad?

If yes, you are not alone. Many users face the same issue daily.

Why Is AT&T Internet So Slow

Internet being a crucial part of our lives, we simply cannot afford to have a slow connection. It is not only annoying but can also get you in trouble, especially if you work from home. Let’s say, you have an online meeting to attend. With a slow internet connection, there will be a lot of buffering in your live session. This is only one of the many problems of having a slow internet connection.

From clearing caches to restarting your router, you may have tried many things to fix your slow AT&T internet. But ultimately, nothing has worked. Don’t worry, we are here to help.

In this article, we will look into the grass-root problem of your slow network speed and provide a solution to fix it. So if you are eager to know how to fix your AT&T slow internet connection, you should give this article a read.

Want to change your AT&T Router, check out our Review on the Best AT&T Compatible Routers.

Why Is AT&T Internet So Slow: Possible Reasons

Before moving on to the solution part, you need to first know what causes the AT&T internet to slow down. Knowing the root cause of the issue will help you apply the right solution.

The AT&T internet may slow down because of various reasons like running background apps, router issues, using low-performance devices, or due to the slow Internet plan.

Here are the possible reasons for slow AT&T internet speed:

#1. Bandwidth Restriction

AT&T may restrict bandwidth if you exceed your subscribed limit. They can do so by limiting your internet speed.

For example, if you use a 100 Mbps plan, and exceed the data limit, then the service provider can restrict the allotted bandwidth which in turn results in slow internet speeds.

AT&T is also known to restrict bandwidth due to network congestion, especially during peak hours of the day. Even though it is not fair, it is true.

Check out our post on how to AT&T Router Login & Settings Guide.

#2. Multiple Devices Connected

This is another possible reason why you are getting slow internet speeds. If you have too many devices linked to the same Wi-Fi network, it will divide the speed across all devices thus, slowing down the overall speed.

In this case, you should remove the devices that you are not using. To get the best Wi-Fi performance, you should connect only one or two devices at a time.

#3. Multitasking

Yes, even multitasking can lead to slow internet speeds as it causes network congestion. So if you have too many tabs open at the same time, it will affect the overall performance of your internet.

To increase the speed, you should close some of the tabs. If you are downloading a heavy file, don’t open additional tabs as it will slow down the speed.

#4. Surrounding Interferences

You may get slow internet speeds due to external interferences and obstacles. In case, you didn’t know Wi-Fi signals can become weak in the presence of wireless devices or other devices such as cordless phones, ovens, radio devices, etc.

In some cases, even your neighbor’s Wi-Fi signal can impact and reduce the speed of your wireless network.

#5. Faulty Router

This is one of the most obvious reasons behind slow internet speeds. If your internet is getting disconnected frequently or you are not getting the speed that you should, your router may be the problem.

If you have a spare router in your home, you should use it to check the connection. If you get good speed with the spare router, you should replace your existing router. This will solve the internet issues that you are facing.

#6. AT&T Internet Outage

If your service provider is having an outage, there’s nothing you can do to fix it, except wait. AT&T addresses outage issues quickly, so you won’t have to keep waiting for long.

Some of the common causes that lead to internet outages are maintenance activities, equipment up-gradation, network congestion, natural disasters, and disruption of cables.

10 Easy Solutions to Fix AT&T Slow Internet Issue

If you are frustrated because of your slow AT&T internet connection, we have got your back. We have provided all possible solutions in this section. You can try these fixes to troubleshoot the issue.

#1. Restart Your Router

This is probably the easiest way to fix your slow internet speed. All you have to do is restart your router and it should solve the problem.

Restarting a router means manually switching it off and turning it back on. By doing so, you will clear the device’s short-term memory, including the temporary IP addresses that are provided by your service provider.

After you restart your router, it will reset the network adapter and start fresh transmission of data packets sent by the service provider thereby offering increased bandwidth for the user.

check out the post on What Is MTU Size and What Value Should It Be Set To?

This solution is recommended by many computer technicians. It should be the first step to troubleshooting speed or bandwidth-related issues.

#2. Switch to an Ethernet Connection

Wireless networks have more packet losses than Ethernet cables. You can benefit yourself by switching to an Ethernet connection as it offers more stability and less interference.

With an Ethernet connection, you can get better speeds and enjoy live videos without buffering. If you perform demanding tasks like streaming HD videos, playing online games, etc., you should consider using a wired connection.

If your Ethernet connection is slower than your wireless connection, it is possibly happening because of outdated drivers or damaged cables.

#3. Limit the Number of Connected Devices

You can drastically improve your internet speed by limiting the number of devices connected to your Wi-Fi network.

If you have a big family make sure to subscribe to more bandwidth. You should consider the data needs of each person in your family.

If there are too many devices connected to the same network, it slows down the speed as the speed gets divided. So the less number of devices you connect, the faster the internet connection.

#4. Scan Your PC

Computers infected with malware and viruses can reduce your bandwidth by running unwanted apps in the background.

This is why it is recommended that you scan your PC for malware and viruses. Use trusted antivirus software and run a thorough scan to detect anything suspicious.

#5. Relocate Your Router

Your internet speed can be affected if there are obstacles or external barriers around your home router. The best solution to this is to relocate your router.

You should place your router closer to your work area. But also make sure that there are no obstacles like appliances and walls in the way. By doing so, you should be able to improve the Wi-Fi signal.

#6. Update Your System

You probably already know that new devices have updated drivers that process data faster and efficiently tap into high-speed internet.

One of the ways to fix your slow connection is to update your PC’s network drivers. Outdated drivers can cause your PC to hang frequently. Not only that, but you are also missing out on bug fixes that come with the updated version.

#7. Disable VPN Services

VPN (Virtual Private Network) uses proxy servers and an encryption process to protect users’ data related to privacy, accessibility, and connectivity.

However, routing data through proxy servers consumes more internet which in turn can affect the performance of the internet. To solve this issue, you should disable your VPN services. This will free up data and give you higher internet speeds.

#8. Reset your Router

If none of the above methods works, you should consider resetting your router. This will help you delete all the customized settings and return the router to its default settings.

check out our Review on Best Wireless Routers Under $100.

Many users have found this method to be effective, so you should try it too. You will find the reset button on the back or side of your router. It is a tiny button that you need to press and hold for 15-20 seconds. Once your router restarts, you can connect it to the network by using the default username and password. It can effectively solve internet issues related to firmware.

#9. Get a Wi-Fi Extenderter

This is another way you can fix your slow internet speed. A Wi-Fi extender can help improve wireless network connectivity.

A Wi-Fi extender serves the purpose of an amplifier. It picks and amplifies the existing Wi-Fi signal to provide connectivity in areas where Wi-Fi signal strength is weak.

#10. Contact Customer Support

If you are unable to troubleshoot the issue by yourself, you should contact AT&T customer support service. Tell them about the problem you are facing and they will send technical assistance to solve the issue. 

AT&T’s technical team will also look for issues both at the user’s end and their end.

Final Thoughts

The solutions explained in the above post are tried and tested. If you are currently facing a slow AT&T internet connection, you should try these solutions to fix it. In case you are not able to fix it, you have AT&T customer support to help you out.