How to Optimize Your Internet Connection for IntakeQ

IntakeQ relies on a constant stable internet connection to function properly. This guide will review things that you can do to ensure your connection is optimized for our system.

Check Your Connection

The first thing you should do is test your connection speed. To do this, visit the following URL: https://speed.cloudflare.com/

When you run this test and it finishes, you'll get the connection speed you're running with. The "Mbps" number measures how quickly information can be sent from other websites/servers to your computer. A speed of 1 Mbps or higher should be sufficient for IntakeQ to function properly, assuming that connection remains consistent.

Speeds can vary depending on numerous factors, such as your Internet Service Provider, whether you're on wifi or a wired connection, other websites actively downloading content, etc. If you're on wifi we'd suggest running the test in different areas of your office to determine if there is possibly an issue with where your modem is placed.

Depending on your result from the test above, you can tailor your next step to the specific issue:

Is the connection consistently slow?

Check your hardware, focusing primarily on the modem and computer.
Restart your modem
Call your internet service provider (ISP)
Check any other devices on your network.

Is the connection sporadically slow?

Check your hardware, focusing on the router.
Check your office setup.

Check Your Hardware

If the connection issues don't stem from your internet connection, you will want to check your hardware. This is referring to your computer, modem, router (if applicable), and any other physical devices that could impact your office or home network.

Computer

Depending on the age on your computer, it may not be able to take full advantage of your internet connection. The standard lifespan of laptops is around 3-4 years, or 5 years for desktops. After this period they will start to experience degraded performance when perming tasks. You may notice things like increased boot up time, programs responding slower, etc. – which typically means it's time for an upgrade.

If your computer is still relatively new but is showing performance slowdown, you can free up system RAM that should help speed up your internet connection. One of the main things to do here would be to uninstall any programs you're not using, and also making sure you're not running too many programs at once while using the IntakeQ system.

The follows articles explain more on this for WIndows and MacOS:

Modem

Modems are not all made equally, older ones may not be able to take full advantage of your internet connection as they might only support slower network speeds. The latest modems can support over 160 Mbps, which is many times faster than previous models release only a few years back. Modems also degrade in performance over time, so you'll possibly need to replace them every 5 years or so depending on numerous factors. To increase the lifespan of your moden, you'll want to ensure it's stored in a well ventilated area, and keep it away from heaters, microwaves, televisions, and wireless phones. Regularly cleaning the device from dust will help as well, since it allows for better ventilation.

Router

On top of a modem (which connects you to the internet) some people have an external router connected as well for varying reasons, such as allowing more devices to connect to the network or to get wifi support if your modem doesn't support it. The same things should be done to keep routers clean as you'd do with a modem, and they also degrade in performance over time. You'd typically want to keep your router away from any other devices that emit wireless signals, such as cordless phones and televisions for example.

If your router is being used for the wifi connection, be sure it's placed in an ideal location of the office to ensure you have a good connection on the computer or other device that you're using to connect to IntakeQ. It is sometimes possible to purchase additional antennas for a router to increase wireless performance, or look for a router that fits you specific office or home layout.

Reboot Your Network

It's good practice to reboot your network from time to time as this often improves its performance. This includes rebooting your modem and also router if you have one. The best way to do this is to simply unplug the devices, wait at least 30 seconds to 1 minute, then plug them back in again. Give them a few minutes to turn back on and re-establish the internet connection, thern things should be working properly again.

There are instances where a full reset of a modem or router may be required, which is more complex as you need to access the administrative settings of those devices. For this you may want to contact your ISP, or the router manufacturer, or consult owners manuals. Routers can receive firmware updates from the manufacturer as well which can improve performance, so checking for these periodically is a good thing to do.

Call Your Internet Service Provider

Sometimes issues can arise with your internet connection speed that would require your service provider to get involved. This would be the case if there was possibly a modern issue causing your speeds to be slower than normal. You'd want to check to see the speeds you're paying for and the speeds you're actually getting on a connection speed test. You can do a general connection speed test by using the following website: https://www.speedtest.net/

Depending on the issue, your ISP may need to replace/reset your modem, repair landlines, or you may need to upgrade to a faster internet plan.

Check Other Devices on Your Network

If you have other devices connected to your network, they could be related to your connection speed issues. For example, if you're streaming or downloading large files, this can drastically impact the available bandwidth for other devices, lowering to speeds they are capable of. You'll want to be sure the network is free from any traffic of this kind to avoid connection speed issues.

Network administrators can also adjust settings within a modem/router than can impact the bandwidth and speed across various devices and applications. Many routers support a feature referred to as Quality of Service (QoS), where you can set which applications get preferential bandwidth to ensure those devices always have the levels necessary for our system to function properly. Administrators can also use this to troubleshoot which applications are using the most bandwidth and make adjustments as needed to improve overall network performance.

Check Your Office

Various aspects of your office or home setup may impact your internet connection, especially when on a wifi connection. Things such as drywall, plaster, metal, wood, and microwaves can all impact wifi signals, possibly resulting in slower internet connection speeds. Some things you can do to help in office setups as as follows:

Move your modem and/or router into the same room you are working out of, this will ensure you have a maximum wifi signal.
Connect your computer via an ethernet cable to avoid using wifi altogether.

If you continue to have issues with your connection with IntakeQ, please reach out to us and we'll be happy to look into the matter further.