Originally Posted On: https://www.earthlink.net/blog/do-internet-speed-tests-work/

How to Run an Internet Speed Test and What Your Results Mean

Running an internet speed test is an essential step if you’re frustrated with slow connections or want to verify you’re getting the service you pay for. Here’s a comprehensive yet concise guide to help you understand internet speed tests, maximize their accuracy, and make sense of the results.

What Is an Internet Speed Test, and Should You Run One?

An internet speed test measures how quickly data travels between a server and your device. If your internet is sluggish or inconsistent, running a speed test can confirm whether your connection matches the speeds promised by your Internet Service Provider (ISP).

“Speed tests are like the dipstick in your car, which will tell you that you ran out of oil once your car breaks down,” Doug Suttles, founder of Ookla and internet speed app Orb, told TechCrunch.

Before starting, verify the speed you’re paying for in your ISP contract. Remember, most ISPs guarantee speeds “up to” a specific limit—not consistent maximum speeds.

If you’re noticing a slow internet connection, you may be experiencing packet loss. Packet loss is when data fails to reach an intended destination. If you think you’re experiencing packet loss, it’s a good idea to run an internet reliability test.

Before running your speed test, be sure you understand what Mbps you’re paying for. If you aren’t sure what internet speed you’re paying for, check your latest bill from your internet service provider.

Keep in mind that ISPs guarantee speeds up to the speed on your plan. It doesn’t mean that you’ll experience those speeds 100% of the time.

If your results and the advertised speed are close, great! Your internet should be at 95% (or higher) of the speed you signed up for. For example, if you are paying for 2 gigs, you should expect results of at least 1.9 gigs. If it’s frequently slower than that, and you’ve already tried troubleshooting on your own, it might be time to call your ISP.

If you’re noticing a slower connection on just one computer or tablet, it is probably a device-specific problem. Restarting it or installing a software update (if needed) could help.

Do you connect to a VPN? That might be causing you to experience slower speeds. Try disconnecting or using another device to determine if the VPN is causing the slow speeds.

If you’re noticing consistently slow speeds on everything, now’s the time to run an internet speed test.

How Does a Speed Test Work?

Here’s what happens behind the scenes when you run a speed test:

1. Server Selection: The test identifies a nearby server to reduce data travel time.
2. Ping Test: A signal is sent to the server and back. The roundtrip time, called “ping” or “latency,” is measured (lower is better).
3. Download Speed Test: The server sends data to your device, calculating how fast it downloads.
4. Upload Speed Test: Your device uploads data back to the server to gauge how quickly you can send data.

While this might sound complex, the entire process is completed in less than a minute. Each test functions in the same basic way, but different speed tests use different servers — which is why you may see varying results depending on the platform.

Tips to Get the Most Accurate Speed Test Results

For a reliable speed test, follow these steps:

1. Use an Ethernet Connection
   Wired connections, like an ethernet cable, provide the most stable conditions by minimizing interference. However, this may not always reflect your everyday WiFi performance.
2. Restart Your Router
   Restarting clears temporary glitches and can improve your test’s accuracy.
3. Close Background Apps
   Ensure no apps or devices are using your bandwidth during the test.
4. Test in “Real-Life” Conditions
   If you typically rely on WiFi with multiple devices in use, conduct the test under similar conditions for a realistic snapshot of your speeds.
5. Move Around Your Home
   Test speeds in different rooms. If one area shows low results, you may have a WiFi dead zone requiring a mesh network or signal extender.
6. Test at Various Times of Day

Internet speeds can fluctuate due to network congestion. Testing during peak and off-peak hours can reveal patterns.

Understanding Your Speed Test Results

So, you’ve run the test — now you need to make sense of the results. While tests vary slightly in the information they detail, this is generally what you’ll see.

1. Ping (Latency)
   Time it takes for a signal to travel to the server and back. Lower latency improves activities like gaming and video calls. Joseph Stornelli, CEO of the cloud computing company Arium, told Business Insider that latency is “vital” when it comes to the strength of your internet connection.
2. Download Speed
   Measures how fast you can receive data. Essential for streaming, browsing, and downloads.
3. Upload Speed
   Tracks how quickly you can send data, such as uploading files or participating in video calls.
4. Server Location
   Speeds are generally faster with closer servers. Using international sites may result in slower connections.

Most internet plans have asymmetrical speeds, where download speeds are significantly faster than upload speeds. In the past, this didn’t matter — most people downloaded far more data than they uploaded. Now, thanks to activities like video meetings and gaming, upload speeds are increasingly important.

Frequently using the real-time aspects of your internet? We recommend getting fiber internet. Fiber not only has the fastest available download speeds, but the upload speeds will match — giving you symmetrical speeds.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a good internet speed?

Typically, 95% of your contracted speed is a good result for an internet speed test (e.g., 950 Mbps for a 1 Gig plan).

Can speed tests be inaccurate?

Your results may vary depending on conditions, such as device types, WiFi interference, or the test server used.

What’s the best tool to run a speed test?

Use EarthLink’s reliable speed test tool here.

Key Takeaways from Speed Tests

• Good Speeds: Results within 95% of your contracted speeds are optimal.
• Multiple Discrepancies: If testing reveals consistently lower speeds than promised, troubleshoot your home network or check with your ISP.
• Upgrade for Performance: Opt for fiber internet if upload speeds and latency significantly impact your usage (like streaming or video meetings).

Conclusion

By understanding the basics of internet speed tests and how to interpret the results, you’ll be equipped to diagnose connectivity issues or ensure you’re getting the best service possible. For faster speeds, great customer service, and no data caps, consider EarthLink Fiber for your connection.

Call 866-618-0264 to get started with EarthLink today!