Internet Speed Test Tip- Use the Tools in "My Account" Don't Use the Spectrum Test on Google Search

Satch

Guys,

I upgraded my Internet modem and router on my home network for the faster speeds. Here's a tip for all Internet/Home Networking Customers. Don't run the Spectrum Speed test that you see from Google Search. It had been giving me the same slow results for years with different modems. I know if was wrong because my speed is faster than what they were saying. I clocked my Speed Test using the Internet Speed Test in "My Account." This is the test that customers should be using, and it clocked at excellent speeds.

Satch

William_M

Good tip @Satch, we definitely recommend either our speed test or speedtest.net/The speed test app by Ookla. Other tests may use far away servers, or are not designed to test your internets maximum capability.

Satch

A Couple of Points,

I am at my laptop (Windows 11) and my Signal Range extender we can't get to work with the new modem/router combo. My tech guy doesn't want me rebooting anything Internet stuff for the next several days, because we are running speed and reliability test. The laptop on Windows 7 is way on the opposite side of the house, and my range extender isn't working yet. Tech guy is coming back to tweak some stuff next week:

BTW Ooka produces the same crappy 40-50mps downloads, just as the Google Search for Spectrum does. As this first photo shows Desktop running Windows 10 right next to the Internet equipment produces around 50-55mb download unless I go to Spectrum "My Account" than I get a normal speed test there.

But look at the difference if I go to the regular Spectrum Speed Test inside of My Account! There it is excellent! (See the second photo)

What a difference! I don't know why the difference. But it "feels" like I am getting the speeds from Spectrum's site and that is the important thing. My brother who lives in a downtown neighboring city from me also with Spectrum Internet said his Internet fluctuates between 50mps to over 200mps "All Day Long." We both live in communities who's infrastructure lines go back to the 70's and 80's. Three years ago our cable guy had to replace our line drop completely when we were missing DVR records, had On Demand Problems, and Internet was dropping. Our original drop line was 30 years old! He replaced the drop and our service has been excellent ever since, spare the occasional times for Spectrum Maintenance Window Updates between 12am-6am. I gotta get my range booster working.

My theory is that there are lines and gateway paths out there that are not Spectrum or any other Internet vendor's responsibility and due to the infrastructure age, congested pathways/gateways, this may account for the speed differences. The best connection speed test is a direct LAN connection from modem to device without a wireless router. Things on your computer or device can make a difference. It's almost like to get these optimal speeds you need a direct LAN connection with nothing else on your computer or device except the device and the modem, and you are close by to them. Background apps on your PC or device can also slow things down!

Satch

Satch

Correction from above post.- Desktop runs Windows 10 (not 7!)

Laptop runs Windows 11

Sorry for the confusion!

Satch

catchtwentytwo

If you haven't already tested with one of the Ookla Speedtest® Apps (versions for PC, Mac, phones, Apple TV, & Command Line interface for Linux) , try it. The App runs independently, bypassing browser extensions & addons and seems to give more accurate results.

Satch

Hey @catchtwentytwo,

I checked that out. No big change, about 46 down and 11 up. I removed the app since I don't need more than 50 down. But it feels fast, I think my speed is somewhere in between what the outside speed test says and Spectrum's my account speed-test says. This last result is from the desktop about eight feet from the router. I am guessing that my real speed as about 100mps download.

Oh yea, and the app put me in some city in Illinois as the default! I had to change it to a closer city in Wisconsin! Speed went from about 42-48 when I did that,

Maybe our house, built in 1955 and our suburban infrastructure, is so old that it just can't handle the speeds of modern technology. Our neighboring lines are from the 70's-80's and the average Spectrum node can have anywhere from 650-800 holmes inside of that area.

Let's assume all of that is true. Than why would I be getting great Internet Speeds through Spectrum "My Account" and "feel" like I am getting faster speeds? But I go outside the "My Account" portal, I am back to the customary 50 mbs downloads that I have had for the last ten years!

I don't know what to believe or trust here.

This is also a HUGE issue online! I have done my own research with other providers around the country. They are pushing newer modems and routers with faster speeds. Had several customers get new equipment, provision everything correctly, and they get downloads between 15-20 mps!!! OMG! That's DSL there! and their uploads about .6 (Decimal point there is not an error.) Than it raises, what good is raising Internet Speed if you living in a home surrounded by wiring and infrastructure going back to the 50's-80's? There are certainly lines and connections that have nothing to do with any cable vendor company, An aging infrastructure may be a bigger culprit than many realize!

Satch