Before you start
- A computer or phone
Method 1 Narrow it down
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Step 1: Another browser or device
If another browser is fast, the problem is your main browser. If every device is slow, it’s the network or DNS.
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Step 2: Private window
Open an incognito/private window (extensions are usually off). Faster? An extension is slowing things down.
Method 2 Fix DNS
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Step 1: Change DNS
Set DNS to 1.1.1.1/1.0.0.1 or 8.8.8.8/8.8.4.4 on your device or router.
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Step 2: Flush caches
Run ipconfig /flushdns on Windows, and in Chrome visit chrome://net-internals/#dns > Clear host cache.
Method 3 Clean up the browser
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Step 1: Remove extensions
Chrome: ⋮ > Extensions > Manage extensions. Remove ones you don’t use, especially ad injectors, coupon tools and “VPN” extensions you didn’t install.
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Step 2: Clear cache
Press Ctrl + Shift + Delete and clear Cached images and files.
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Step 3: Update
Chrome: ⋮ > Help > About Google Chrome.
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Step 4: Reset settings
Chrome: Settings > Reset settings > Restore settings to their original defaults.
Method 4 Check the network
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Step 1: VPN and proxy
Disconnect VPNs and check proxy settings are off.
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Step 2: Latency
A fast speed test with high ping (100+ ms) or jitter makes browsing feel sluggish. Move closer to the router or use 5 GHz/Ethernet.
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Step 3: IPv6 issues
If some sites hang, broken IPv6 at the provider can be the cause. Test by disabling IPv6 on your adapter.
Troubleshooting
Only one website is slow
The site itself may be overloaded. Check it from mobile data or a status site.
Slow only on Wi-Fi
Interference or weak signal. Change the Wi-Fi channel, move closer, or use Ethernet.
Frequently asked questions
Why is my speed test fast but YouTube buffers?
Speed tests use nearby servers. Your provider’s route to YouTube may be congested, or Wi-Fi drops briefly. Test with Fast.com, which uses streaming servers.
Do ad blockers speed up browsing?
Often yes: they stop heavy ads and trackers from loading.
Summary
Compare browsers and a private window to find the cause, then change DNS, remove extensions, clear cache and update the browser. Disconnect VPNs and fix Wi-Fi latency if pages still lag.
