Troubleshoot slow internet speeds

Be sure each 360 WiFi pod is plugged into a dedicated wall outlet. We do not recommend plugging WiFi pods into a power strip, extension cord, or three-way splitter.

In addition, be sure pods are placed where they are free of physical barriers. Try to avoid blocking by heavy furniture, fish tanks, and large appliances.

There are also some troubleshooting steps you can follow to make sure your WiFi pods are connected to the Quantum Fiber app and working correctly.

Other electronics in your home can slow down your WiFi connection, including microwaves, cordless phones, Bluetooth devices, TVs, wireless security systems, baby monitors, and more. Wherever possible, avoid congestion from surrounding devices by placing WiFi pods and your modem or SmartNID at least 10 feet away from other electronics.

Reboot reboot reboot is our mantra. Most electronics benefit from the occasional refresh. If you're having trouble with connection speeds, try two things:

• Restart your devices by powering them off and back on. This will allow updates to install and clear memory.
• Refresh each device's connection to the network by disconnecting from WiFi (or Ethernet), waiting a few moments, then connecting again.

Every device has different connection speed capabilities. With fiber speeds, older devices in some cases are simply not capable of keeping up, especially on older wireless technology.

You can look up speed specifications from the device manufacturer. Also, try these tips to free up memory and bandwidth, especially on older or slower devices:

• Shut down programs or apps that you're not using
• Close browser windows or tabs that you're not using
• Reduce the screen resolution
  
• Delete any temporary or unused files or apps

In some cases, you may need to upgrade to a newer device to see the speeds you want. 

Your web browser (Chrome, Edge, Safari, Firefox, etc.) plays a big role in your online experience whenever you're surfing the web. 

• Keep your browser up to date. Make sure your browser software and all plug-ins and extensions are up to date. You can use a third-party website to do a browser check, or open your browser settings to look for updates.
  
  
• Clear cache regularly. Your browser saves data from most websites you visit, which over time can slow things down. Look in your browser settings for "Clear cache" or "Clear browsing history." 

For mobile devices, check the operating system to make sure it's up to date. An outdated OS (like Android or iOS) can cause bugs and sluggish performance on smartphones and tablets.

In addition, keep every device protected from malware by installing well-rated security software. Then keep that software up to date to ensure it has the latest anti-virus data. Run a security scan at least weekly, either manually or by setting up an automatic schedule. If you have 360 WiFi, this security is built in to your system. Learn more about security best practices.

Some older devices can’t take full advantage of today’s faster network speeds, particularly over WiFi. In these cases, you may want to connect to your internet service over Ethernet—a wired as opposed to a wireless connection. If you find yourself needing more speed, switching to Ethernet on just one or two key devices may be a good option to improve internet speed.

Tip: Be sure to select a Cat5 or Cat6 Ethernet cable, as older Ethernet types may not be compatible with fiber speeds.