Many 'internet' woes are local area network (LAN) network problems. Unplugging your Wi-Fi Access Point, cable, or modem can cause problems. This is true even if you're not using Cat-5 cable to hook up your network.

It would help if you always looked for simple answers first, mainly when using fixed wireless internet. My all-time favorite failure of this sort was when a friend called with a slow network connection. It turned out he'd unplugged his AP while vacuuming and had forgotten to plug it back in. You'll need to change the password on all your mobile devices if you're using an Apple or Google device.

If you rely on Wi-Fi for your local network, ensure your APs are working. One of the best tools for this is Jiri Techet's Android app Network Analyzer Pro. While it's for network experts, it's easy to use and quick to troubleshoot. Most APs come with a web-based admin panel that you can use to check if you're connected to the internet.

How to check the internet

Unplugging your cable or modem and plugging it back in is the first thing to do if you have problems. Then, grit your teeth and call your ISP. This is usually a pointless exercise, but d again, you can get helpful information.

If you're having problems with your internet service provider, be ready for a long wait. Physical problems are often the root of network problems. An ISP technician may not show up on time, but eventually, they'll get it fixed if it's on their end.

The best site to check your internet speed is Speedtest. It gives you your download speed, upload speed, and ping to the closest test server. The lower your ping, the better. If you see above 50ms, you've got a problem.

PCMag Speed Test

PCMag's Speed Test determines the Fastest ISPs in the US and Canada. Turn off your VPN and anything that uses a third-party virtual private network (VPN) to get the results.

Ookla Speed test

Speedtest.net is a great way to see how your internet connection has changed over the years. It's easy to change settings, and you can view your entire test history. It determines your location and pairs you to a local Speedtest server. The whole process should take less than a minute, and you watch it unfold in real-time.

After completing a test, you can view your connection's upload and download speeds measured in megabits per second (Mbps). There's also a chain icon to grab a link you can post anywhere, as an image or weblink or even embed into a page.

Even without an account, Speedtest will let you compare your results to global average speeds. Use the 'Filter Results' link to narrow down which tests/servers you want to see. Click the tab to switch from download to upload speed.

Conclusion

Whether you are trying to check the internet speed from home or work, the listed information above will help you.