Many wonder how to make ViaSat internet faster because satellite internet is slower than other connections such as fiber optic or internet cable.
In this guide, we’ll discuss the best ways to boost your ViaSat internet connection, improve the speed, and decrease the loading times!
To make your ViaSat satellite internet faster, you can upgrade to a plan with faster speed or improve your dish line of sight and position. In addition, you may need to address any WiFi issues with your ViaSat modem by checking for interference and dish connection.
Let’s discuss everything in more depth!
Why is My ViaSat WiFi So Slow?
The ViaSat service is satellite-based, meaning that many substantial factors can impact the internet speed compared to the cable services.
To identify these factors, it’s best to know them all since they are directly related to the techniques we’ll later use to optimize the connection.
What Slows the ViaSat Internet?
- The monthly internet data limit is exceeded.
- The satellite dish is obstructed or blocked.
- Faulty coax connection with dish or modem.
- Wrong satellite dish elevation and position.
What Slows the ViaSat WiFi?
- Wireless interference from RF electronics.
- Distance from the WiFi router is too great.
- A fault with your receiver device’s WiFi.
- Your WiFi router network is overcrowded.
These are only the general factors that might be responsible for the slow ViaSat internet speeds, and there are also many more little things to inspect.
We’ve made sure to include everything in the solution guide below, so without any hassle, jump straight into the steps!
How to Make ViaSat Internet Faster in 6 Easy Steps?
Before You Begin: Before you start troubleshooting, we recommend performing a free internet speed test online to determine your current speeds.
Then, during and after the guide, we’ll ask you to test your ViaSat internet speed again, which will confirm whether there is any effect after the steps!
1. Upgrade Plan or Add Gigabytes!
Satellite internet providers, such as Hughesnet and ViaSat, limit users’ internet data through a monthly cycle based on the plan they’ve subscribed for.
So, when you exceed your fast-speed data for the month, you’ll be automatically transferred to the low-speeds until the cycle renewal.
ViaSat provides the following internet data planes:
| High-Speed Data | Download Speed | Best For | Recommended For |
| 40 GB – 60 GB | 12 Mbps – 15 Mbps | Email and Chat | 1 – 2 people |
| 100 GB – 150 GB | 50 Mbps – 75 Mbps | Internet Browsing | 1 – 3 people |
| 300 GB – 500 GB | 100 Mbps – 150 Mbps | Streaming and Work | family |
How to Check My ViaSat Data Usage?
To view your ViaSat data usage and whether the monthly limit has been exceeded, sign into MyViasat and check the dashboard.
Look under the “Total Data Usage” tab, where you’ll find information about the current GBs left and whether all of the data has been exceeded by now.
Unlimited ViaSat plans provide the option to buy mode data, so if you are eligible for adding gigabytes, you can renew the fast-speed internet.
Tip: If you want to check your ViaSat data on the go, download the My Viasat mobile app available for Android 4.4+ from Google Play or iOS 9+ from the App Store.
2. Optimize Your Satellite Reception!
One of the most significant flaws of satellite internet service is the dish and the reception of the satellite, which is influenced by several factors.
To optimize the speed of your ViaSat internet, you’ll have to verify that there is no problem with the satellite dish and its clear view of the sky!
Step #1 Remove Dish Obstructions!
The first step is to verify that your dish is pointing at the sky without obstructions such as snow, city blocks, large trees, or other covers.
Step #2 Verify the Dish Line of Sight
The first and most important rule is that your ViaSat dish must point toward the sky with a clear line of sight.
Then, according to the correct Azimuth and Elevation, as per your location, you must verify that the dish is pointed in the correct direction.
ViaSat satellite dish operates with four different satellites, ViaSat-1, ViaSat-2, WildBlue-1, and Anik-F2.
Hence, you can use dishpointer.com to check the correct Azimuth and Elevation and adjust your satellite dish accordingly.
Tip: If you’re concerned about the dish installation, contact ViaSat for a consultation!
Step #3 Elevate the Dish’s Position
The higher your ViaSat dish is, the better the signal will be.
If you can relocate your dish to the balcony or roof, that would be the best place.
This will ultimately increase the internet speed and boost your reception, decreasing the lag and loading time.
Step #4 Wait Out the Bad Weather!
Well, in case of bad weather, such as thunderstorms, strong winds, and severe rain or snow, the signal from your dish might be weaker.
Well, this is a hyperobject you cannot solve by yourself, so the only thing to do is wait until the sky clears out and your ViaSat signal improves.
Reminder: When ready, perform an internet speed test to justify the results!
3. Verify the Coaxial Dish Connection
The following fundamental factor influencing your ViaSat internet speed is the coaxial cable between your dish and the ViaSat modem.
Your ViaSat internet speeds wouldn’t be as good when this cable is loose or twisted, or the connectors are damaged.
You need to inspect the Coax cable connector on both sides and trace the entire length of the cable to check for any faults.
In case of any damage to your Coax cable, it’s best to consult with ViaSat customer service first and then look for a replacement.
If the coax cable is intact, keep reading further into the guide!
4. Reboot Your ViaSat Service Modem!
If your internet speed is good when measured through a device connected to the modem via Ethernet cable, but if your WiFi is slow, the issue comes from the modem.
The best way to refresh the networking of your wireless connection is to power cycle your ViaSat modem.
Simply unplug your ViaSat modem from the power for 60 seconds!
This will refresh the internet income from the satellite dish and hopefully resolve any lag or delay both with your internet and WiFi.
When you’re ready, test your internet speed again to check whether rebooting your modem was of any help.
Tip: Keeping your ViaSat modem unplugged for longer also helps against overheating!
5. Optimize Your ViaSat Modem WiFi
Still, wondering how to speed up ViaSat internet? The fault might be solely from the WiFi.
Sometimes, the ViaSat internet speed is just as promised, but the entire delay and lag come from your WiFi or the WiFi-enabled device.
The easiest step to justify whether this is true would be to take your smartphone or another WiFi device and move closer to the ViaSat modem.
In case that boosts your WiFi speed, then here are a few more tips:
- Unpair unused WiFi devices from the modem.
- Stop any streaming, downloading, or uploading.
- Change the WiFi password to prevent intrusion.
- Relocate nearby RF devices such as microwaves.
- Verify that your ViaSat modem is not obstructed.
- Relocate the ViaSat modem to a centralized spot.
- Position the modem higher in the room (if possible).
If you apply any of the steps above, your WiFi will be better optimized.
Hence the internet speed will be boosted, so without any further delay, perform another speed test to determine if the internet is now better on WiFi-enabled and connected devices.
Tip: Test your WiFi internet speed when standing next to the ViaSat modem!
6. Switch to a Wired Internet Connection!
Whether you’ve got a ViaSat gateway or ViaSat modem, you will see an Ethernet port on the back of the modem.
This port allows you to connect any Ethernet-enabled device, such as a computer or laptop, via an Ethernet cable for a wired connection.
The setup is simple; you only need an Ethernet cable to connect your computer to the ViaSat modem/gateway, and you’ll have non-wireless internet.
This means that your internet will not be a subject of interference, and you’ll be able to get the fastest speeds from the ViaSat services.
Tip: In case of any difficulties setting up the wired connection, you may need to contact ViaSat to provide you with the IP addresses.
Quick Recap:
How to make ViaSat internet faster? There are a couple of ways involving upgrading to more gigabytes of data plan and optimization on your side.
The steps include checking for dish obstructions, correcting the position, and optimizing the ViaSat modem’s WiFi.
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Finn Wheatley holds a Master’s Degree in Computer Science from UCL, London. He helped small data science consultancy firms, helping large corporations to grow their data capabilities, deploy advanced machine learning-based analytics and troubleshoot tech-related issues. Check out more about him here.