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Cox Not Getting Full Speed: 10 Ways To Get Faster Internet

Cox Not Getting Full Speed: 10 Ways To Get Faster Internet

Are you finding your internet connection with Cox is not getting full speed? Everyone experiences a slow connection from time to time, but if your internet is slow the majority of the time this can be extremely frustrating.

If your connection with Cox is not getting full speed, this is likely due to congestion during the time in which you’re browsing, or you need to reset your router. To fix this, try browsing the web during the day when there are likely to be fewer users and reboot your router at the wall to reset it.

Continue reading to find out all our top tips for improving your Cox internet speed.

Reboot Router

Our first recommendation is to reset your internet router. This often resets any minor issues with internet speed and gets your speed back up to its normal rate.

To reboot your router, unplug it from the wall and wait at least 30 seconds before plugging it back in. When the router is active again you should find that your internet speed has improved. 

reboot router

Run A Wired Speed Test

If in doubt, we always recommend running a wired speed test. Sometimes your Cox speed may be worse on Wi-Fi, and this doesn’t provide an accurate reading of your internet speed. 

Plug your device directly into your router via ethernet cable and carry out a speed test here. This way you’ll know exactly what speed your internet is running at and whether there’s perhaps an issue at play with your Wi-Fi connection.

Check What Speed You’re Paying For

It’s always worth double-checking what internet speed you’re paying for with Cox, as it could be that the internet package that you’re paying for isn’t as fast as you expect it to be.

To check your package with Cox, you’ll need to log in to your Cox account here. In your account section you should find details on which package you’re paying for, and therefore what speed your internet should be performing at.

Ensure Antivirus Isn’t Interfering with Internet

Sometimes antivirus and firewall software can play havoc with internet connections. They can interfere with speeds resulting in your Cox connection not getting full speed.

To check this, disable any antivirus or firewall programs that you have running and run a wired speed test. If your speeds are significantly quicker, we recommend finding alternative antivirus/firewall software that doesn’t interfere with your internet connection.

If nothing changes with your Cox internet speed, you can re-enable the software and continue looking for a fix.

wifi connection

Use Internet at Different Times

If you’re finding that your internet speed is slower at night, this is likely because you’re using browsing the web at what is known as ‘internet rush hour’. 

Most Cox users will be browsing the web in the evenings/nighttime. The more users that are browsing the slower your connection will be.

Try using your internet in the morning or during the day and see if this makes a difference. If you need to use your internet at night you may want to consider upgrading your internet package to achieve better speeds or invest in a newer router/modem.

Test Using Multiple Devices

If you’re still having issues with Cox not getting full speed, we recommend trying out a few different devices to see whether it’s just your device that’s having issues.

Try using your cell phone or tablet or asking friends/family on the property if they’ve experienced slow internet. This should help you narrow down whether the internet is slow or if your device is struggling to achieve quick internet speeds.

If Your Router is Old – Upgrade It

You may be using a router that is very old – this will certainly impact your internet speed as newer routers are your best bet for getting the quickest connection.

If your router is over five years old, we recommend replacing it. You can usually request a new router from Cox, and they’ll send out a replacement.

router lights

Reduce the Number of Devices Using your Connection

Are you running many devices off the same connection? This could be impacting your internet speed, as multiple devices all trying to access the connection at the same time can significantly affect your connection.

You may not think you have many devices running simultaneously, but here are a few for you to double-check that might be slowing down your internet speed:

  • Laptop
  • Mobile Phone
  • Tablet
  • Desktop PC
  • Printer
  • TV
  • Home Hubs (e.g. Amazon Alexa)
  • Baby Monitors
  • Games Console
  • Headphones

This doesn’t include other devices that could be run by other people in your home. We recommend disconnecting some devices to see if this impacts the connection, as you may need to pay for higher bandwidth to accommodate more devices.

Check Distance from Cox Internet Tower

If your property is situated far away from a Cox tower, this may explain why you’re not achieving the best speeds. 

Properties that are nearer to a Cox tower will naturally achieve a better connection, so if you can travel nearer to the internet tower we recommend doing so to check if this makes a difference.

You can also check if Cox is experiencing any local outages via their website here.

Replace Faulty Cables

Lastly, we suggest double-checking that your cables are working correctly. This includes ethernet cables, router cables, coax cables, etc.

If any of your cables have split or are very old, we recommend replacing them ASAP. Once you’ve done so you can see if your connection has improved by manually testing this or running a wired speed test.

Conclusion

We hope that after trying out each of these tips your Cox internet is now performing at full speed. If you’re still having some problems, we suggest reaching out to Cox directly via their support page here. You can request help from their live chat system or speak to them via phone/email.

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