There is no doubt Windstream Internet is the one-stop solution to the growing demands for a stable internet connection across the US. With a Kinetic home internet connection, it offers just the right speeds that you need to carry out almost any online task. In addition, its unlimited data allowance makes it easier for users to perform data-intensive activities without worrying about exceeding monthly data caps or paying a hefty overage fee in internet bills. On the other hand, Kinetic fiber internet delivers speeds up to 2 Gig, which is best for medium to large households for running multiple devices on the same network. However, at times, you may notice that your internet is running slow, which can interfere with your online activities. So, if you want to understand why this may happen or ways to resolve such issues, then continue reading this article till the end to find out.
Important Signs You Should Watch Out for
Deciding whether the issue lies with Windstream internet service or device can be quite challenging. Sometimes, internet speed slowdowns may occur due to changing weather conditions. Other times, it may specify an issue related to your network equipment. To determine if there is an issue with your internet, here are a few signs that should be taken into account before diagnosing it:
- You have recently moved your smart TV, desktop computer, or any internet-enabled wall-mounted device to another room.
- Lately, your device was manually disconnected from the internet.
- You have upgraded, disconnected, or reconnected your PC’s hardware.
- Your device has undergone physical damage.
If you can relate to any of the abovementioned points, then there is an issue with your internet connection that needs to be fixed. Now, let’s dive deep into all the reasons why you may encounter issues with your Windstream internet connection:
Common Issues with Windstream Kinetic Fiber Internet
Kinetic fiber internet is known for providing a seamless internet connection to its users by delivering reliable internet signals to every device connected to it. However, sometimes, you may end up experiencing problems with your connection that can disrupt your online work. This is because there is a chance that your connection may become susceptible to various issues that can affect the quality of signals or the speeds you get.
Here are some of the factors that can lead to a slow internet connection:
Space between Your Device and Router
The distance between the device and router determines the speeds and signals you get. If you have placed your device close to the router, then you will receive fast speeds with good signal strength. However, the farther you go, the slower it gets. If your room is located at a long distance from your router, then you may experience speed slowdowns or weak signals that can interfere with your online work. To sum it up, as the space between your router and device increases, the higher the chances of getting slower speeds.
Solution: If you want fast speeds with strong signal strength, then you have two options: relocate your router or device.
Make sure that your router is placed in a central location that allows signals to flow evenly across every corner and edge of your home or office. Besides, your router should be positioned horizontally in a way that its antennas are pointing towards the ceiling. This technique works best for signal coverage in a single-story house or office. If your home or office is based on a multi-story building, then you may need to place your router vertically between the two floors, preferably in an area that allows maximum coverage. Alternatively, you can change the angle of its antennas with one antenna pointing upwards, while the second antenna is perpendicular to the first one.
If you can’t relocate your router, then you should consider changing the location of your device. With a portable device, like a smartphone or laptop, it will be much easier to carry it to the room where your router is placed. But, if you are using a desktop PC, smart TV, or any other smart home device, then it can be a bit of a hassle for you. Therefore, you must ensure that your new location has sufficient space to accommodate a new device. See if you can find an area or a shelf near a power outlet so you could instantly connect your device to the power supply.
Too Many Devices Connected to the Same Network
With multiple users and devices within the same household, there is a chance that your network may fail to connect all the devices simultaneously. This is because Windstream has a pre-set limit on the number of devices that can be connected to the same network at the same time. While you may not realize it, your household may have multiple smart TVs and other smart appliances that can become a barrier to connecting more devices to the same network. So, if you are not keeping up with its device connection limitations, you will end up either with an internet connection that is too slow or your router does not accommodate new devices at all.
Solution: Before you add a new device to your network, see if your router has the capacity to connect more devices or not. Go to your network settings to check the names of each device on the network. If you notice that you have already exceeded the device limit, then first, you may need to remove a few devices from the list. This way, you can prevent the risk of signal jams in the airwaves, resulting in seamless connectivity of your device to the internet.
You Are Using an Outdated Network Equipment
Generally, routers and modems last for five years or more, depending on their condition and the type of devices connected to them. This is because using the same router for years and years can make it susceptible to wear and tear. As a result, it may fail to deliver the speeds that are fast enough to cater to your online work. Besides, the signals from your router can be just as weak, making it difficult to stay connected. At times, you may notice how your device keeps disconnecting and then reconnecting to the internet connection without any human intervention. No matter how hard you try, outdated network equipment will continue to mess up your connectivity to the internet.
Solution: If your network equipment is not performing well enough to facilitate your online tasks, then it is time for you to upgrade to the latest version of your equipment. Reach out to Windstream customer service for a router upgrade. Make sure that your new router is equipped with the latest features and specifications, including dual-band technology that allows users to switch from 2.4 GHz frequency band to 5 GHz frequency band and vice versa. This way, you can change your router’s frequency according to the number and type of devices connected to the network and their distance from the router.
You Are Connected to a VPN
Using a virtual private network (VPN) is an efficient way for most internet users to surf the web without any sort of restrictions imposed by the government, ISP, or any third party. It is known to protect your identity, including name, physical address, and email address as well as your browsing history from being monitored. However, the biggest downside of connecting to a VPN includes speed slowdowns. Since VPNs use an indirect route to facilitate a connection between your device and the remote server, it can take a toll on your network speeds. With a server that is based at a distant location, it can take too long to transfer information to and from the device, which may in turn delay the responses to your commands.
Solution: If you don’t want to compromise the performance of your network connection while staying connected to a VPN, then we recommend you sign up for a premium VPN service. This is because most free VPNs are marketed as a great tool to visit any website without any limitations; however, it comes at the expense of your internet speeds. So, avoid using free VPNs to get the speeds you are paying for!
Common Issues with Kinetic DSL Internet
Check out some of the common problems that may arise with Kinetic DSL internet and get in the way of smooth internet connectivity to your home network:
Slow Internet Connection
With a DSL internet connection, many internet users may experience a slow or spotty internet connection that is not fast or reliable enough to support their online tasks. Even if you have subscribed to the speediest plan for your home network, it may produce inconsistent speeds, which can disrupt your online activities.
Solution: The simplest yet easiest way to improve your speed issues is to power cycle your modem. All you need to do is, switch off your modem, unplug its wire from the power supply, and wait for 1-2 minutes. Then, plug it back in to switch it on. Once your modem has restarted, you will instantly notice an improvement in your internet speeds. This technique works effectively to re-synchronize the signals from your DSL network. In addition, it can help strengthen the signals received by your device.
The LAN Light Is Not Lit
Every LAN comes with a set of lights that are supposed to be lit or blink every second. This indicates that the exchange of data between the server and the device is taking place continuously. However, if the lights on your LAN are not functioning this way, then it may result in speed or signal issues with your internet connection.
Solution: You must ensure that the cable wire that connects your device to the DSL modem is properly plugged into one another. If not, then unplug the wire from each end and reconnect it securely to restore the quality of your internet signals and speed it up.
Apps Are Running Slow
If the applications running on your device are not quickly responding to your taps or clicks, then this indicates an issue with your internet connection or your device’s performance. This may occur due to caches stored on your router, device, or even the apps you are using.
Solution: For internet-related issues, follow the steps listed above. However, if the issues persist, then this may occur due to your device’s performance. To resolve speed issues associated with your device, you need to delete all the cache stored on the apps you run as well as your device. Then, restart your device and run the same apps again to see if there is a difference. If the problem does not resolve using this technique, then you should contact Windstream customer service at your earliest.
Final Thoughts
A stable internet connection is just as essential as any other utility at home. In case it goes down, it will have an impact on your daily routine as well as your leisure activities that rely on the internet. Therefore, you should learn different ways to troubleshoot your connection without seeking help from a professional technician. This way, you can save your time and money by instantly diagnosing the issue at hand and fixing it on your own without paying additional charges. However, if the issue goes out of hand, then you should get in touch with Windstream by dialing 1-855-349-9312 for technical support.