How to Hack Broadband and Increase Network Speed

Some general advice

Disconnect other Internet-using devices. Every network-connected device in your home will reduce available Internet speeds, especially if they are in use. Turn off devices such as control panels, smartphones, tablets and smart home systems whenever possible to increase available network speeds.

You can also set some devices such as computers, smartphones and tablets to airplane mode to limit Internet traffic.

Stop the download or turn off the streaming software. If you are downloading large files or watching movies online on your computer while using the Internet on another platform, sluggishness is natural. Turn off streaming programs and pause all downloads to make the most of your Internet bandwidth.

Use the 5 GHz channel if possible. If your router supports both the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands, use the 5 GHz network to limit sharing your Internet connection with other devices. You can usually find a 5 GHz connection in the Wi-Fi menu of your computer, smartphone, tablet or other Internet-using device.

The name of the 5 GHz channel will display differently depending on the router manufacturer, but most commonly "Media", "5", "5.0" or similar displayed next to the network name.

Use an Ethernet cable . If the above methods fail, connecting your computer directly to the router (or modem) via an Ethernet cable is a sure way to increase Internet speed by eliminating some common problems with wireless networks.

This is not an option for smartphones and tablets.

For Windows/Mac computers without an Ethernet port, you can purchase a USB 3.0 (or USB-C if Mac) Ethernet adapter and plug it into one of the available ports on the computer.

Change DNS settings on Windows

You need to make sure you are connected to the Internet . To change network properties, the computer must be connected to the Internet.

Open Start . Click the Windows icon in the lower left corner of the screen.

Open Settings. Click the gear icon in the bottom left of the Start window.

Click Network & Internet. This globe icon is in the middle of the Settings window.

Click Change adapter options . The action is under the "Change your network settings" heading at the top of the page.

Select current network. Double-click the Wi-Fi network name (or Ethernet if you're using an Ethernet cable). This calculator-shaped option is in the middle of the page. A window will pop up.

Click Properties . It's in the bottom left of the window. Another window will open.

If you are using a regular account, you need to enter the administrator password before continuing.

Select Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) . Click on the text line in the middle of this window to select.

Click the Properties button near the bottom of the window. Another window will open for you to change network properties.

Check the box "Use the following DNS server addresses". This box is near the bottom of the window. When you check this box, the next two text boxes will open at the bottom of the window.

Enter the DNS address. You can use a different DNS address than the one your computer normally uses to speed up your connection a bit. Both Google and OpenDNS provide free addresses:

With Google — You enter 8.8.8.8the "Preferred DNS server" text box, then type 8.8.4.4in the "Alternate DNS server" text box.

With OpenDNS — Type 208.67.222.222in the "Preferred DNS server" text box, then type 208.67.220.220in the "Alternate DNS server" box.

You can also combine Google and OpenDNS addresses (for example, 8.8.8.8as the first server and 208.67.220.220as the second server).

Save changes. Click OK at the bottom of the first "Properties" window, then click Close at the bottom of the second "Properties" window and select Close on the "Status" window.

Clear your computer's DNS cache . You can do this by opening the Command Prompt program, entering the command ipconfig /flushdns, and pressing ↵ Enter.

Clearing your DNS cache will fix website loading errors you may encounter the next time you open your browser.

Restart the computer. Click Start , select Power and then click Restart from the pop-up menu. After your computer restarts and connects to the Internet, you will see an improvement in network speed.

Change DNS settings on Mac

You need to make sure you are connected to the Internet . To change network properties, the computer must be connected to the Internet.

Open the Apple menu. Click the Apple icon in the upper left corner of the screen. A drop-down menu will appear.

Click System Preferences… (System customization). The option is near the top of the drop-down menu. The System Preferences window will open.

Click Network . This globe icon is in the System Preferences window.

Select Internet connection. On the left side of the window, click the name of the Wi-Fi network (or Ethernet network if you're using a cable) that your Mac is connected to.

Click Advanced… (Advanced). Options at the bottom right of the window. A window will pop up.

Click the DNS tab at the top of the pop-up window.

Click the ＋ in the bottom left of the window. A text field will be created in the "DNS Servers" column.

Enter the primary DNS address. Enter the address as the primary DNS server. Both Google and OpenDNS provide free servers you can use:

With Google — You enter 8.8.8.8here.

With OpenDNS — You enter 208.67.222.222here.

Enter an alternate DNS address. Click ＋ again and then enter one of the following addresses:

With Google — You enter 8.8.4.4here.

With OpenDNS — You enter 208.67.220.220here.

Click OK. It's at the bottom of the window. This will save the settings and close the "Advanced" window.

Click Apply . This option is at the bottom of the window. From now on, your settings will apply to the Internet.

Clear your Mac computer's DNS cache . You can proceed by typing sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder;say DNS cache has been flushedinto Terminal and pressing ↵ Enter.

Clearing your DNS cache will fix website loading errors you may encounter the next time you open your browser.

Restart your Mac computer. Click the Apple menu , select Restart. and then click Restart when prompted. Once your Mac restarts and connects to the Internet, you'll see improved network speeds.

Micah Soto

Update 11 November 2023