How Can I Tell If My Internet Is Being Throttled? (2024)

Run a free speed test

First, we recommend running a free online speed test to check your internet speed.

Then compare how fast your data is to the speed you should have—the speed you ordered during checkout with your internet service provider.

If your speeds are lower than what you’re paying for, you’re either being throttled—or there’s a problem with your service. In the latter's case, we list 10 easy ways to speed up your internet connection.

If those don’t work, it could be time to upgrade your service. Scroll down further to determine if you need an internet provider with unlimited data caps or more Mbps (faster download speeds).

Why is my ISP throttling my internet?

When too many people try to get online at the same time, the network can become overcrowded. Some ISPs throttle certain connections to help clear up the congestion.

ISP throttling is also pretty common when a customer has exceeded their data usage limit within a specific billing period.

Is throttling internet illegal?

Check your data cap

Internet providers throttle your speed when you reach your data cap.

You can see how much data you’ve used by logging into your account or calling your ISP. If you've hit your cap, it's safe to assume internet throttling occurs. You may need to wait for the cap to reset at the end of the billing period to avoid getting mad at your computer.

You could also pay for extra data for the month, increase your data cap, or reduce how much data you use monthly.

We also have a helpful internet speed guide to help you calculate the bandwidth your household needs.

Use a VPN to hide your traffic

Internet throttling can occur for customers participating in illegal online activities, including gambling, theft, and torrenting.

But if you’re someone who likes to keep their personal information private, a VPN can encrypt your data and traffic. As a bonus, it also hides your IP address—so nothing can trace back to you—and lets you safely use public Wi-Fi networks.

Make sure you get the best VPN for your needs, whether it be for Mac users, Windows users, streaming services, high-end security, or traveling.

Upgrade your internet plan or service

If you experience throttling month after month, you probably need a plan that works better for you. You may need to seek a plan or provider offering higher data caps or unlimited data.

If you’re not being throttled but battling sluggish internet nonetheless, check out our tips for speeding up your internet.

The table below highlights some of the fastest internet service providers with unlimited data caps, like Xfinity, Google, Verizon, and Cox. If you’d like another source, check out our best internet service providers with unlimited data caps.

Additional contributor: Chyelle Dvorak