Is your internet upload speed slow? If you’ve noticed your speed is slow when you’re uploading content, video conferencing, or more, then you might have a problem with your upload speed – one of the most common internet connection issues.

In this blog, we’ll walk you through six reasons your internet upload speed is slow, plus how to fix it.

The Evolution of Internet Speed

Traditionally, download speed was much more important than upload speed. After all, most of our online activity was dedicated to browsing and watching content.

However, we’ve entered the era of user-generated content, video calls, and cloud services. A worldwide pandemic has recently shown us how much quality internet bandwidth matters when we work from home and rely solely on the virtual world for entertainment. Because of this, upload speed has come to matter as much as your download speed.

However, despite growing demands for higher upload speeds, many internet service providers (ISPs) still don’t deliver. Today, we’ll explore what causes slow upload speed, plus offer solutions to achieve that optimal upload speed so you never have to worry about a choppy internet connection again.

Download & Upload Speed: What is the Difference?

Before we dive into the potential reasons why your internet upload speed might be slow, let’s learn the difference between the popular internet terms: download and upload speeds.

Customers often only care about broadband, which is your total data capacity. However, broadband is a two-way street, with download speed running one way and upload speed running the other.

Download speed tells us how fast we receive information from the internet. We use it when we:

Use streaming services (Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, Spotify, Apple Music, etc.)
Watch videos online
Visit websites
Download files

Upload speed determines how fast we can send and upload information from our device to the internet. We use it for:

Uploading content online, for example, to our social media profiles
Sending emails and attachments
Livestreaming
Video conferencing
Uploading our data to cloud services

Because a typical internet user does far more downloading (streaming and browsing) than uploading (sharing content online), many ISPs have traditionally offered a higher download rate and a lower upload rate. This type of connection is known as an asymmetrical connection.

While download rates still take the cake, we’re increasingly relying on upload speeds. We use video conferencing apps daily in our personal and professional lives if we work from home. We send videos and photos to our friends and family via messaging apps and share content on our social media profiles. ISPs like Race, now offer fiber internet packages with the same upload and download speed. They’re called symmetric internet connections, also known as symmetrical speeds.

upload internet speed slow

Upload Speed: How Slow is Too Slow?

So, how slow is too slow when it comes to upload speeds? Unfortunately, there is no straightforward answer. It depends on the number of devices connected to the internet, what you use it for, and the type of internet.

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) defined broadband as an internet service that delivers download speeds of at least 25 Mbps and upload speeds of at least 3 Mbps.

Here is how much some of the most common online activities will require:

Video conferencing apps, such as Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Skype, and Google Meet, require between 1 to 3 Mbps for quality group video calls
Livestreaming on YouTube, Twitch, and Facebook Or Instagram Live needs between 3 Mbps for videos of lower quality, while 4k videos can require over 15 Mbps
Online gaming demands at least 3 to 6 Mbps to avoid glitching
Work from home requires approximately 10 Mbps, especially if you often send large files and you share the network with other people and devices

Why Your Internet Upload Speed is Too Slow

Now that we’ve covered the basics of upload speed let’s dive into potential reasons why your internet upload speed might be slow. You can fix some of these issues by yourself. If not, you can reach out to your ISP and ask them to walk you through troubleshooting.

1. Problems with Hardware (Router/Modem)

Outdated hardware equipment (routers and modems) is one of the most common issues affecting the overall internet speed. Routers vary in their specifications and capabilities. As a result, your internet connection can only be as strong as your router.

Routers have a life expectancy of five years. But before you throw it out if you suspect it’s too old, make sure its firmware has been updated to its latest version. And remember: wireless routers have a limited range. The further the devices are from the router, the weaker the signal. If you’ve noticed that the signal is only strong in one room while you barely get any speed in others, consider changing the location of the router to a more central place in your home.

Solutions:

Reboot the router (turn it on and off)
Reposition the router to a central location in your home
Use a wired Ethernet connection to see whether it’s the router that’s causing slow upload speed or the problem lies elsewhere
Buy a new, updated router (such as a WiFi 6 router)
Extend your WiFi signal with additional access points

2. Your Internet Provider is Restricting Your Upload Speed

One of the best things to do when your internet upload speed is too slow is to go to the source of the internet itself; your internet service provider.

It could be that your ISP is restricting your WiFi upload speeds or that you have reached your data limit. Perhaps you have signed up for a plan that does not meet your upload speed requirements. Asymmetric connections only allocate about 10% of the entire bandwidth to upload speeds.

Sometimes, the slowdown isn’t due to your individual connection but rather the sheer volume of users accessing the internet in your area, especially during peak hours. This can cause network congestion, similar to a traffic jam on a highway.

Solutions:

Reach out to your ISP to see if they can help (ask about ISP throttling)
Run an internet speed test
If necessary, choose a plan with higher upload speeds or/and with a symmetrical connection

3. There are Too Many Devices Connected to Your Internet Network

Routers allocate your overall bandwidth to all your online devices and activities. If you use a lot of devices and share the network with several other people, you can quickly saturate the connection. Even if you’re not actively using devices, they still run in the background and use up your data if they’re connected to your WiFi.

Your signal might also interfere with other devices, such as bluetooth speakers and household appliances if they use the same 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz frequency.

Solutions:

Disconnect devices you’re not currently using
Change the WiFi channel number to bypass any interference from other household devices
Unplug appliances from power and disconnect your Bluetooth devices

internet upload speed slow

4. Your WiFi Adapter Driver is Not Updated

If your routers or ISPs aren’t behind your slow upload speed, then the problem could be your computer. Make sure your WiFi adapter is updated. Drivers are specific to an operating system of a computer and when they are corrupted or outdated, they can cause various problems, including network issues.

Solutions:

Check if you have installed the WiFi adapter driver
Update your WiFi adapter driver if necessary, using Driver Easy

5. Your Devices Have Been Infected with Malware

Another reason why your internet upload speed is too slow might be viruses and other malware installed on your computer, router, or modem. It is getting increasingly hard to detect malware; spotty internet is just one of the many symptoms.

Solutions:

Regularly run antivirus programs and router virus scans
Check your DNS settings

6. VPN Settings Impacting Your Upload Speed

Using a Virtual Private Network (VPN) is common for those seeking online privacy and security. While VPNs are instrumental in encrypting data and hiding your online activities, they can sometimes inadvertently reduce your upload speeds.

The use of VPNs can impact upload speeds in several ways. The encryption process, essential for data security, can slow down data transmission. VPNs often route data through distant servers, introducing latency that can further reduce upload speed. Popular VPN servers might face congestion due to high user traffic, leading to decreased performance.

Solutions:

Connect to a different VPN server, preferably one closer to your location
Experiment with different VPN protocols to find a balance between speed and security
For tasks requiring high upload speeds, consider disconnecting from the VPN temporarily
Consider upgrading to a premium VPN service for better speed and performance

Final Thoughts: Why Your Internet Upload Speed Is Slow

There are many reasons why your upload speed is slow, but luckily, they can all be fixed! It can be as easy as resetting the router, or you might need to update your internet plan.

To avoid problems with upload speed, consider getting symmetrical fiber internet. It’s your best bet for securing optimal download and upload speeds.

Contact our specialists at 877-722-3833 or order online, and we’ll set you up with the internet upload speed you deserve.