Optimizing Your Connection

The performance of your Internet connection relies on many factors. Use this guide to improve performance and get the most out of your Internet connection. If you are still experiencing performance issues after following these steps, visit AT&T Troubleshoot & Resolve.

Check your Connection Performance


Learn more about Internet speed tests and AT&T's service capability speeds.

Connection

Your Physical Connection

How your computer is physically connected to the Internet can affect your performance.

More about your physical connection

Line Filters

DSL and U-verse High Speed Internet customers with traditional telephone service: be sure to have Line Filters installed on all analog devices connected to your phone line.
How do I install line filters?

Wireless Connections

For the most accurate speed test results, run the speed test from a computer using a direct wired connection to your gateway, modem, or router.

Powercycle your modem/router

Turning the power to your modem or router OFF/ON will reset your connection and may improve your performance.
How can I power cycle my DSL modem and computer?

Number of Devices

Improve performance by limiting the number of devices (e.g. computers, gaming systems, mobile phones, etc) sharing your Internet connection.

Third-party devices

For the most accurate speed test results, you should connect your computer directly to your AT&T provided modem or router.
How do I disconnect a single-user modem from a router or switch and connect it directly to the computer?

Software

Your Software

The software you use may also cause your connection to seem slower.

More about your software

AT&T Troubleshoot & Resolve Tool

This tool can help solve many common issues impacting your DSL or U-verse High Speed Internet service.
How do I download the AT&T Troubleshoot & Resolve Tool?

Browser Cache

Periodically clearing your cache may help improve system performance and throughput.
How do I clear my browser's cache?

Number of Applications

Minimize the number of applications that you have running simultaneously, along with the number of tabs open in your browser to improve performance.

Peer-to-peer File Sharing

These applications typically run in the background on your computer and use your Internet connection to upload and download files. Closing this type of application may improve your performance.

Firewalls

Sometimes firewall settings or running more than one firewall simultaneously can negatively impact your speed test results. Disabling your firewall may improve performance.
Conflicting Firewalls May Result in Slow Connection/Slow Browse.

Run Virus/Spyware Scans Regularly

Be sure to run virus and spyware scans regularly to keep your computer free from infections and improve performance.
What is "AT&T Internet Security Suite - powered by McAfee" and how can it help me?

VPN and Internet Proxy Servers

Avoid Virtual Private Network (VPN) connections to your office and the use of Internet Proxy servers when performing a speed test as they can decrease performance.
Check your browser connection settings.

Computer

Your Computer

Increase your computer's performance to get the most from your Internet connection.

More about your computer

Free PC Check Up

Talk to an AT&T Connectech® expert who will guide you through the free diagnostic scan, interpret your results and propose solutions to help you get the most from your internet service and home PC.
Learn More

Stay Current

Using a current Operating System and a sufficient amount of memory (RAM) is vital to maximizing your performance.
What are the AT&T High Speed Internet Minimum and Recommended Computer / PC Qualification Requirements?

Reboot your Computer

Periodically turning your computer OFF/ON will close programs that are running in the background and can improve your performance.
How can I reboot my computer?

 
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