Why Is Satellite Internet So Slow? How To Fix?

If you’re wondering why is satellite internet so slow, keep reading as in this post we will reveal all possible causes and their solutions.

People are frequently asking this question and luckily, you have found where to start.

Later in this post, we will discuss what are the possible causes and how to fix them quickly.

Furthermore, you will learn how to position your dish and how to identify issues related to it.

The most common cause of having slow satellite internet usually boils down to not having enough data, which will get your internet speed to throttle.

Another reason for satellite internet to be slow would be using Wi-Fi and in a few moments, we will explain why.

Regardless of your circumstances, we are here to help and hopefully resolve your issue. Without further ado, let’s first identify why your satellite internet is so slow.

Why Is My Satellite Internet So Slow?

There is a wide range of possible causes when it comes to slow satellite internet and it requires some detective skills to identify the issue.

The bullets below illustrate some of the most common problems so you can get a better understanding of what you’ll be dealing with later on.

• No data left (if your data is limited)
• Overloaded network
• Modem glitches
• An outage
• Outdated firmware
• Service Maintenance

Note:

If your data drains really quickly, we recommend avoiding any streaming using the satellite internet as it consumes up to 3GB per hour.

Keep in mind that these are some of the possible issues and our troubleshooting methods below cover much more ground than that.

Having all this in mind you might be able to resolve the issue on your own, but if you don’t feel confident, following our methods you can’t go wrong.

How To Fix Slow Satellite Internet?

At this point, we assume that the issue is not related to not having enough data, and with our methods below you will also learn how to reduce latency on satellite internet.

Note: We recommend applying our methods in the order they are listed below.

Method #1 Relieve Connection

It is well-known for satellite internet to perform really slow if there are many devices connected to its network, especially if streaming is involved.

Try to disconnect all devices that you ain’t really benefit from to relieve the connection and prevent overwhelming it.

Note that if you are having 25 Mbps or lower connection speed, you might experience buffering and lag immediately after another device starts using the same network. T

est your network connection at any free online source to identify the speed and help yourself make conclusions.

Pro Tip: If you are using Wi-Fi you should ensure that you’re close enough to the router for the best network speed.

Method #2 Power Cycle

Even if it sounds really simple, performing a power cycle of your network devices (router/modem), is one of the most effective ways to troubleshoot a slow network.

If you haven’t restarted your router in a while, now is the time to do so.

Here is how to reduce latency on satellite internet by performing a power cycle.

1. Locate the Power Button on the back of your router
2. Press the Power Button once (all lights should fade out)
3. Plug out the router from the power outlet
4. Wait for at least 5 minutes
5. Plug the router back into the power supply
6. Wait another 5 minutes for the network to get online
7. Now Test

Does your satellite internet perform better now? If yes, then congratulations you’ve solved the issue.

If the internet is still as slow as before, let’s move on to the next method.

Method #3 Reset Your Router

Applying this step really depends on if your satellite internet was better before and suddenly started to work really slow.

And if this is the case by performing a reset you might finally find the answer to the question “why is satellite internet so slow?”.

Here is how to perform a reset of your router:

1. Locate a Pin Hole on the back of your router where the Reset button is located.
2. Find a sharp object (pen or needle), reach-in, then press and hold for about 3-4 seconds.
3. Release the Reset button.

Note:

This action will reset your router to its default state and your Wi-Fi configurations will be reset as well.

You will need to set your passwords and configure anything you need.

If you didn’t set your router in the first place we recommend calling your supplier for precise steps on how to set it up.

Method #4 Update Your Router’s Firmware

Login to your router’s interface menu by inserting your IPv4 address in the browser’s search field.

To find your IPv4, open CMD with administrator rights and type “/ipconfig”.

From there navigate to the Update Tab and search for available updates. If there are, feel free to apply them right away.

Always keep your router’s firmware up to date and make sure that it has proper support.

Note:

Your router might restart several times during the process and your WiFi connections might get disconnected.

Method #5 Check Your Satellite Dish

If you have applied all of our methods and nothing has managed to work so far, at least you have tightened the circle down to your satellite dish.

People that also searched “why does satellite internet so slow?” managed to resolve their issue by pointing the dish in another direction.

Here are some steps to follow and (if possible) perform while inspecting your satellite dish:

Step 1 – Check for Damage To The Cables And Dish

Go outside and inspect the satellite dish for any damages caused by wind or other nature events.

Also, follow through and check the cable for any issues and ensure that it is not being under pressure, especially if it goes through the corner of your door.

Step 2 – Remove Obstructions

Even if there is nothing wrong with the satellite dish itself, if there is a giant obstacle such as a tree or a house in the direction where it is pointing, your internet could be seriously impacted.

This is why people install dishes on the roof because even laundry in front of it can affect the connection in a bad way.

Step 3 – Position Your Dish

If you are living in the US, your satellite dish should be pointed towards the south, slightly looking at the sky.

For people outside the US, it is recommended to check where the nearest broadcast tower is and point your dish in this direction.

Again, slightly pointing at the sky.

Even if your dish is facing in the right direction, you can try changing it. It is worth trying and there is nothing that can go wrong.

What If Satellite Internet Is Still Slow?

If you have followed each and every method and tip in this guide and you couldn’t manage to fasten your internet here we have a last resort for you.

You can try switching to your ethernet cable instead of using Wi-Fi and check if your network is faster.

If that does not help, you might need to contact your supplier and ask for help.

We recommend sharing with them the methods you’ve applied so far so save time doing everything all over again.

With a little luck, the issue might be found in the suppliers themselves and hopefully, it will be restored back to normal.

Bottom Line

We hope that now you know why is satellite internet so slow and how to fix it.

To prevent the issue from appearing in the future we highly recommend placing your router in a central location and keeping the firmware up to date.

If you are experiencing any other issues related to your satellite internet, feel free to check our blog where you will definitely find some fixes to apply.

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