时不时地，每个人都会经历那种互联网速度变慢，这让你怀疑自己是否真的得到了你所支付的互联网速度。Wifi速度测试可以帮助您确认这一点。
您通常可以通过查看您的互联网账单来查看您所支付的互联网计划的速度。您的计划的速度通常列在计划名称旁边。
例如，如果您为承诺高达 60 Mbps的计划付费，那么来自网络上设备的准确速度测试应报告至少接近该速率的速度。
还值得弄清楚您的下载和上传速度是否对称。Verizon FIOS是对称的，这意味着如果您有 100 Mbps的下载速度，那么您也有 100 Mbps的上传速度，如果您需要上传很多内容，那就太棒了。
了解Wi-Fi 速度测试结果(Wi-Fi Speed Test Results)
您可以执行三项核心测试来衡量互联网连接的整体健康状况和速度。这三个测试是下载、上传和 ping。
Ping测试与网络延迟有关。延迟(Latency)是数据包通过网络从一台计算机传输到另一台计算机所需的时间。
无论如何，这与上传和下载测试有关，因此大多数用户不需要执行 ping 测试。然而，对于延迟会导致网络游戏明显滞后的游戏玩家来说，ping 测试非常重要。
下载(Download)测试显示您的计算机可以多快地将内容从 Internet 传输到您的计算机。这包括将内容从视频流服务流式传输到您的计算机或下载文件所需的时间。
上传(Upload)测试会让您知道将文件或其他内容从您的计算机传输到 Internet 需要多长时间。例如，将文件从您的计算机上传到您的Google Drive或其他云存储帐户。
所有速度测试工具都将为您提供以每秒兆比特 ( Mbps ) 为单位的下载和上传速度，有时还以毫秒 (ms) 为单位提供 ping 时间。
如果Mbps对您没有任何意义，请务必先阅读我的了解网络传输速度(understanding network transfer speeds)的指南。
最佳在线 Wi-Fi 速度测试
有许多免费工具可以为您提供准确的速度结果。
一些最好的在线工具包括：
- Speedtest.net：此服务由Ookla提供，可让您执行并行流测试以获得准确的速度，或使用单一连接模式来模拟下载单个大文件。
- AT&T 速度测试(AT&T Speed Test)：AT&T 提供这种基于浏览器的快速测试，以测量您的计算机和互联网之间的准确上传和下载速度。
- SpeedOf.Me：这个基于网络的速度测试拥有所有可用在线工具中最酷的用户界面之一。
- TestMy.net：该服务提供三种不同的测试来专门测量下载和上传速度，以及一种自动速度测试，用于测量一段时间内的互联网速度。
- Fast.com：您可以执行的最简单的在线测试之一是Fast.com上的测试。运行测试所需要做(All)的就是访问该站点！
执行这些测试中的任何一个都既快速又容易。通常只需单击测试按钮并让测试运行即可。
服务之间的结果应该相似。但是，最好从多个服务和您家中的多个设备运行测试，以获得可以一起平均的大量结果样本。
速度测试中(Speed)要避免(Avoid)的常见错误(Mistakes)
互联网速度测试似乎很简单。您访问一个站点，运行测试，并获得对您计算机的上传和下载速度的准确测量。
现实情况并非如此简单。有许多因素会减慢您的互联网连接速度(slow down your internet connection)并影响您的测量并提供不准确的结果。
问题：安置
为了在通过无线连接连接到路由器时获得准确的速度结果，您的计算机或移动设备的位置会产生巨大的差异。某些(Certain)墙壁材料或其他物体可能会阻挡或干扰您的Wifi信号。
解决方案：创建清晰的无线路径
您需要确保在与家庭路由器具有强大无线连接的位置执行测试。
理想的情况是在运行测试之前将您的计算机或移动设备与无线路由器放在同一个房间。
问题：计算机速度慢
许多人犯的最大错误是在旧电脑上运行网速测试，而旧电脑的网卡可能无法达到您的ISP提供的那种网速。
现代(Modern)网卡能够处理高达 1000 Mbps的数据传输速度。那些运行准确的速度测试应该没有问题。但是，更旧的 PC 可能只有 1 Mbps(Mbps)到 10 Mbps的网卡。如果您尝试确认能够达到 60 Mbps的互联网连接，您会认为您的互联网速度太慢，而事实并非如此。
解决方案：从多个设备进行测试。
解决此问题的一个简单方法是从多个设备运行您的互联网速度测试。尝试在家中的一个区域使用笔记本电脑进行测试。然后尝试在房子的另一部分使用您的手机（确保您连接到Wifi而不是您的移动数据连接）。
获取所有测试的结果并将它们平均在一起以获得最准确的速度结果。
当您使用它时，您可能还想解决导致计算机速度变慢的问题(what issues are slowing your computer down)。
问题：激进的应用程序
人们在运行速度测试时忽略的最大问题之一是测试设备本身发生的网络带宽消耗。
显然，在运行测试时拥有像Netflix流媒体这样的应用程序会提供糟糕的速度结果。(Netflix)但是，即使您没有运行明显占用带宽的应用程序，也可能有其他应用程序在您不知情的情况下使用您的网卡。
解决方案：检查有问题的应用程序。
您可以使用任务管理器(Task Manager)检查哪些应用程序正在使用网络连接。
- 右键单击(Right-click)任务栏并选择任务管理器(Task Manager)。
- 选择进程(Processes)
选项卡。
- 选择网络(Network)
字段以按网络使用对活动进程进行排序。
- 记下网络使用列表顶部的进程。
如果有任何非浏览器进程占用了大量网络带宽，您可以右键单击该进程并选择结束任务(End task)以关闭它们。
一旦您确定那些占用您网卡带宽的进程已关闭，您就可以运行 Wi-Fi 速度测试了。
问题：现有的内部网络流量(Existing Internal Network Traffic)
有两种现有网络流量会对您的 Wi-Fi 测试产生负面影响。这些是您家中的内部流量，以及您附近的外部流量。
(Internal)当您尝试运行Wi-Fi速度测试时，内部流量将是您的孩子在卧室流式传输高带宽游戏。
这种带宽消耗就像太多的水试图通过管道流出你的房子。您的网络速度测试可能会返回一个低（和错误）的结果。
解决方案：在测试期间停止(Stop)所有内部流。
确保(Make)在您执行 Wi-Fi 速度测试的短时间内，您家中的每个人都与互联网断开连接。当您的系统可以访问您的整个互联网带宽时，这将确保您正在测试真正的网络流媒体。
问题：现有的外部网络流量(Existing External Network Traffic)
许多人不考虑邻居对互联网速度的影响。如果您使用有线互联网连接，则尤其如此。在有线互联网的情况下，社区通常在通往本地互联网服务提供商的主要集线器的路线上共享与附近网络路由器的连接。
如果您住在人口稠密的社区中，并且许多家庭彼此靠近，则尤其如此。
如果您在附近的每个人都在家看电影或玩在线游戏的时候运行 Wi-Fi 速度测试，您将看到测试测量值显着下降。
邻居的另一个问题是重叠的无线信道(overlapping wireless channel)。最好的办法是扫描附近的所有网络并尝试切换到不同的频道。
此外，大多数人仍在使用 2.4Ghz 网络，因此转向 5Ghz 连接确实可以加快速度，尽管这通常需要升级您的路由器。
解决方案：在一天和一周的不同时间执行(Perform)多项测试。
通过将您的 Wi-Fi 测试分布在一天中的多个时间段以及一周中的不同日子，您将确保对您的真实网络速度有一个很好的了解。
您可以使用最佳测量值作为理想互联网速度的基准，并将最低测量值作为您附近互联网使用高峰时段的预期值。
如何使用 Wi-Fi 速度测试
如果您发现您的 Wi-Fi 速度不符合您的预期，请不要绝望。您可以采取多种措施来纠正问题。
- 确保您的路由器设置正确且经过优化。
- 在责怪您的 ISP 之前，先对您的家庭 Wi-Fi 配置(in-home Wi-Fi configuration)进行故障排除。
- 致电您的ISP并报告问题。他们可能需要向您发送替换路由器。
最终，仅仅接受和处理慢速Wifi或慢速网速并不是一个好的选择。它会影响您对流媒体视频和音乐服务的享受，拖累您的在线游戏，并使您的整体互联网体验变得糟糕。
因此，请进行一些速度测试，并确保您获得了您所支付的速度。
5 Reasons Your WiFi Speed Test Results May Be Wrong
Every now and thеn, еveryone experiеnces the kind of internet slowdоwn that makes you wonder whether you’re really getting the іnternet speed you arе paying for. Wifi speed tests can help you confirm this.
You can usually view the speed of the internet plan you’re
paying for by viewing your internet bill. The speed for your plan is typically
listed alongside the plan name.
If you’re paying for a plan that promises up to 60 Mbps, for example, then accurate speed tests from devices on your network should report a speed at least close to that rate.
It’s also worth figuring out whether your download and upload speeds are symmetrical or not. Verizon FIOS is symmetrical, meaning if you have 100 Mbps download, you also have 100 Mbps upload, which is amazing if you need to upload a lot.
Understanding Wi-Fi Speed Test Results
There are three core tests you can perform to measure the
overall health and speed of your internet connection. Those three tests are
download, upload, and ping.
Ping tests are related to network latency. Latency is the amount of time it takes for a packet of data to travel from one computer to another over the network.
This is related to upload and download tests anyway, so isn’t necessary for most users to perform ping tests. However, for gamers, where latency can lead to significant lag in network gaming, ping test are very important.
Download tests
show you how quickly your computer can transfer content from the internet to
your computer. This includes time it’ll take to stream content from video
streaming services to your computer or downloading files.
Upload tests will
let you know how long it’ll take to transfer files or other content from your
computer to the internet. For example, uploading files from your computer to
your Google Drive or other cloud storage account.
All speed test tools will provide you with download and upload speeds in megabits per second (Mbps) and sometimes also ping time in milliseconds (ms).
If Mbps doesn’t make any sense to you, make sure to read my guide on understanding network transfer speeds first.
Best Online Wi-Fi Speed Tests
There are many free tools available that will give you
accurate speed results.
A few of the best online tools include:
- Speedtest.net: This service is offered by Ookla and lets you perform parallel stream tests for accurate speeds, or a single connection mode to simulate downloading a single, large file.
- AT&T Speed Test: AT&T offers this quick browser-based test to measure accurate upload and download speeds between your computer and the internet.
- SpeedOf.Me: This web-based speed test has one of the coolest user interfaces of any available online tool.
- TestMy.net: This service offers three distinct tests for specifically measuring download and upload speeds, and an automatic speed tests that measures your internet speed over a period of time.
- Fast.com: One of the easiest online tests you can perform is the one at Fast.com. All you must do to run the test is visit the site!
Performing any of these tests is fast and easy. Usually it’s
just a matter of clicking a test button and letting the test run its course.
Results should be similar from service to service. However, it’s a good idea to run the tests from several services and from several devices in your home to get a large sample of results you can average together.
Common Mistakes to Avoid During Speed Tests
An internet speed test seems simple enough. You visit a
site, run the test, and get an accurate measurement of upload and download
speeds to and from your computer.
The reality is that it isn’t that simple. There are many factors that can slow down your internet connection and affect your measurements and provide inaccurate results.
Issue: Placement
To get accurate speed results while connected to your router over a wireless connection, the placement of your computer or mobile device makes a huge difference. Certain wall materials or other objects can potentially block or interfere with your Wifi signal.
Solution: Create a clear wireless path
You’ll want to make sure you’re performing the test in a
location with a strong wireless connection to your home router.
The ideal scenario is placing your computer or mobile device
in the same room as the wireless router before running the tests.
Issue: Slow Computer
The biggest mistake many people make is running internet
speed tests from an older computer that may have an older network card
incapable of the kind of internet speeds offered by your ISP.
Modern network cards are capable of handling data
transmission speeds of up to 1000 Mbps. Those should have no problem running
accurate speed tests. However, much older PCs could have network cards only
capable of 1 Mbps to 10 Mbps. If you’re trying to confirm an internet
connection capable of 60 Mbps, you’ll think your internet speed is too slow
when it isn’t.
Solution: Test from multiple devices.
An easy fix for this issue is to run your internet speed tests from multiple devices. Try running a test with your laptop in one area of the house. Then try with your mobile phone in another part of the house (make sure you’re connected to Wifi and not your mobile data connection).
Take the results of all tests and average them together for
the most accurate speed results.
While you’re at it, you might also want to troubleshoot what issues are slowing your computer down.
Issue: Aggressive Applications
One of the biggest problems people ignore when running speed
tests is the network bandwidth consumption happening on your test device
itself.
Obviously, having an application like Netflix streaming
while you’re running your test will provide terrible speed results. However,
even when you’re not running obvious bandwidth-consuming apps, there could be
other apps using your network card without you even knowing it.
Solution: Check for trouble apps.
You can check which apps are using up the network connection
with Task Manager.
- Right-click on the taskbar and select Task Manager.
- Select the Processes
tab.
- Select the Network
field to sort active processes by network use.
- Make a note of the processes at the top of the
network usage list.
If there are any non-browser processes using up a lot of
network bandwidth, you can right click on the process and select End task to close them.
Once you’re sure those processes eating up your network
card’s bandwidth are closed, you’re ready to run your Wi-Fi speed tests.
Issue: Existing Internal Network Traffic
There are two kinds of existing network traffic that can
negatively impact your Wi-Fi tests. These are internal traffic inside your
home, and external traffic in your neighborhood.
Internal traffic would be your kids in their bedroom
streaming high-bandwidth games while you’re trying to run your Wi-Fi speed
test.
This bandwidth consumption is like too much water trying to
fit through a pipe going out of your house. Your network speed test could return
a low (and false) result.
Solution: Stop all internal streaming during your test.
Make sure everyone in your house is disconnected from the
internet during the small timeframe you’re performing your Wi-Fi speed testing.
This will ensure that you’re testing true network streaming when your system
has access to your entire internet bandwidth.
Issue: Existing External Network Traffic
Many people don’t consider the impact neighbors have on
internet speed. This is especially true if you’re on a cable internet
connection. In the case of cable internet, neighborhoods usually share a
connection to a nearby network router on the route to the local Internet
Service Provider’s main hub.
This is especially true if you live in highly populated
neighborhoods where a lot of families live close to one another.
If you run your Wi-Fi speed test during a time when everyone in the neighborhood is at home streaming movies or playing online games, you’re going to see a significant drop in your test measurements.
Another issue with neighbors is overlapping wireless channels. The best thing to do is to scan for all the networks nearby and try to switch to a different channel.
Also, most people are still using 2.4Ghz networks, so moving to a 5Ghz connection can really speed things up, though this would normally require upgrading your router.
Solution: Perform multiple tests at different times of the day and week.
By spreading out your Wi-Fi testing over multiple times of
the day, and during different days of the week, you’ll ensure you’re getting a
good picture of your true network speed.
You can use the best measurement as a baseline for your
ideal internet speeds, and the lowest measurement as what you can expect during
peak internet use hours in your neighborhood.
How to Use Wi-Fi Speed Tests
If you find that your Wi-Fi speeds aren’t what you expected,
don’t despair. There are several actions you can take to correct the problem.
- Make sure that your router settings are correct and optimized.
- Troubleshoot your in-home Wi-Fi configuration before blaming your ISP.
- Call your ISP and report the problem. They may need to send you a replacement router.
Ultimately, just accepting and dealing with slow Wifi or slow internet speed isn’t a good option. It can affect your enjoyment of streaming video and music services, drag your online gaming to a crawl, and make your overall internet experience miserable.
So run a few speed tests and make sure you’re getting the
speeds that you’re paying for.
