Why is my router throttling bandwidth

Despite being labeled as unlimited, internet bandwidth is never really unlimited. You may have noticed that your speeds are slower than usual. This is because of bandwidth throttling or limiting.

Bandwidth throttling can be very annoying and frustrating if you need the full bandwidth for a certain purpose. It slows down your network despite you paying the full subscription amount. So, why is my router throttling bandwidth?

Your router throttle bandwidth is a result of your Internet Service Provider’s (ISP) actions. Since your router’s signal comes from a cell tower simultaneously shared by others, your internet service provider(ISP) may end up throttling or limiting your router speeds to a certain speed without informing you why.

What is data throttling?

Data throttling or limiting is the process where an Internet Service Provider slows down one’s internet speeds on purpose at certain times or for a specific service, website, or data type like a video. This usually affects activities in need of high bandwidth such as video streaming, online gaming, and file sharing. An ISP filters the internet traffic and divides it into main categories – fast and slow lane. The fast lane is unlimited and contains activities such as social media and web browsing that don’t require a lot of bandwidth. The slow lane on the other hand is where the throttled bandwidth happens. It includes activities like YouTube and Netflix video streaming, online gaming, and P2P transmission like torrent sites.

This leads to slower speeds than those expected which is difficult to explain and it isn’t because of your router. The ISP won’t explain to you why it’s doing so and this can be very frustrating. Normally, ISPs only limit a heavy internet user during times with high internet traffic to allow others to connect too. If you’re an average internet user, then it’s likely that you may never experience throttling.

Why an ISP may throttle your bandwidth

Several reasons might lead to an ISP to throttle your router’s bandwidth. The main ones include:

1. Data limit

Most internet users have a data limit on their connections. When one exceeds the set data amount, then their router speeds are significantly reduced instead of completely cutting your access to the internet. This slows down your internet speeds because you’re still within the plan’s terms.

1. Connection during a high internet traffic period

Bandwidth is a limited resource shared among many users from a single cell tower. When the data usage is heavy and is limiting another user, the ISP may consider throttling the heavy user’s bandwidth to allow another user to connect.

1. Type of activity

ISPs were given the ability to throttle specific content types after the repeal of Net Neutrality. An ISP can either choose to limit activities such as video streaming and gaming or charge high fees for these services.

Signs that your router bandwidth is throttling

There are some things one can look out for when one suspects that your ISP is throttling your router’s bandwidth. The first sign of bandwidth throttling is your videos. When streaming videos from say YouTube, Hulu, or Netflix and notice that they have a lower resolution than expected, then it’s a sign that your bandwidth is being limited by the ISP. Besides, if the videos keep re-buffering then the router is throttling bandwidth. Another sign is an excessive lag for a gamer. The final sign is if files downloading slowly, especially from P2P networks.

How to tell if your router bandwidth is being throttled

If you experience any of the above signs and want to be sure that your router is throttling bandwidth, then you should run an internet speed test to ascertain your router speeds. These tests are available online from various providers including Netflix. Unfortunately, some ISPs can detect these speed tests and may inflate your speeds to appear OK.

The next alternative to consider is using a reliable VPN that shields your activities and IP address from these ISPs. There are several reputable VPN providers online that you can use. Once you install a VPN on either your browser or PC, run the internet speeds once more. If you get a different result, then chances are that you are being throttled.

How to fix router bandwidth throttling

There are some solutions that you can apply to fix your router from throttling bandwidth.

Solution one: Monitor your data usage

Since most router bandwidths have a data limit on a capped plan, you can monitor your monthly internet usage and live within your means or switch to a plan with a higher data cap.

Solution two: Use a VPN

A reputable VPN can solve your throttling problem since it masks your IP address and shields your activities from detection by an ISP. This allows you to continue accessing high-bandwidth activities like gaming, video streaming, and file sharing from P2Ps. However, most streaming services such as Netflix and Hulu can detect your VPN and restrict you from accessing their services since it’s hard for them to determine your precise location.

Solution three: Switch to another ISP

Some ISPs are known for notoriously slowing down users’ internet speeds on purpose without provocation. Every Internet Service Provider (ISP) has its own data cap, you can opt to switch to another with a higher data cap.

Solution four: Report to the government

If the above solutions don’t work out, consider reporting to the FCC or your representative.

Issue	Cause	How to Fix
Why is my router throttling bandwidth	You’ve exceeded your monthly data cap	Monitor your monthly data usage and if necessary switch to another ISP with a higher monthly data cap
	Accessing the internet during high-traffic periods	Try accessing the network another time Use a VPN
	The type of internet activity	Use a reliable VPN

FAQs

Is bandwidth throttling by ISPs legal?

In most cases, throttling is legal.

How can I get a higher bandwidth on a router?

You can upgrade to a higher-end router of both 2.4GHz and 5 GHz that allows you to switch between the two frequencies in case of jamming.