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<h2 dir="ltr" style="text-align:center" id="tag-2"><strong>How to test download speed on a PC?</strong></h2>

<p dir="ltr" style="text-align:justify">Before going to find out possible reasons for unequal between the downloading result and speed check online results, make sure you run a test in the right way.</p>

<p dir="ltr" style="text-align:justify">It can be said that the download speed check is the fastest and most effective way to test Internet connection performance. </p>

<p dir="ltr" style="text-align:justify">With just a few simple steps, you can <a href="https://gospeedcheck.com/article/check-download-speed-540">check download speed </a>along with ping and upload.</p>

<p dir="ltr" style="text-align:justify">How do I test my download speed on Windows? </p>

<p dir="ltr" style="text-align:justify"><a href="https://gospeedcheck.com/article/how-to-check-download-speed-on-mac-95" target="_blank">How to check download speed on MAC</a>? </p>

<p dir="ltr" style="text-align:justify">Check download speed Mac is similar to that on Windows.</p>

<p dir="ltr" style="text-align:justify">Follow the below steps:</p>

<ul>
<li dir="ltr">
	<p dir="ltr" style="text-align:justify"><strong>Step 1: Go to an Internet speed test website</strong></p>
	</li>
</ul>
<p dir="ltr" style="text-align:justify">Search “speed test”  on the Google search bar and Google will return a lot of results for you to choose from. </p>

<p dir="ltr" style="text-align:justify"><img alt="Visit the website" src="http://gospeedcheck.com/filemanager/data-images/why-does-my-download-speed-not-match-speed-test-2.png" style="display:block; height:217px; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto; width:512px"></p>

<p dir="ltr" style="text-align:center"><em>Visit the website</em></p>

<p dir="ltr" style="text-align:justify">However, you need to be careful when opening a strange speed check online because it can be a fake and toxic website. </p>

<p dir="ltr" style="text-align:justify">You may be stolen private information or simply can't check your Internet connection. </p>

<p dir="ltr" style="text-align:justify">Some credible websites you can select are MySpeed, Speedtest by Ookla, FAST, or GTMetrix.</p>

<p dir="ltr" style="text-align:justify">Visit MySpeed (<a href="https://gospeedcheck.com/">https://gospeedcheck.com/</a>), for example. </p>

<p dir="ltr" style="text-align:justify">Hundreds of people use this tool daily to check the download speed because of its reliability along with convenient features.</p>

<ul>
<li dir="ltr">
	<p dir="ltr" style="text-align:justify"><strong>Step 2: Click the “Go” button</strong></p>
	</li>
</ul>
<p dir="ltr" style="text-align:justify">When going to the homepage, there will be a button called “Go” or “Start” to start the test. </p>

<p dir="ltr" style="text-align:justify">Click them.</p>

<p dir="ltr" style="text-align:justify"><img alt="Click “GO”" src="http://gospeedcheck.com/filemanager/data-images/why-does-my-download-speed-not-match-speed-test-3.png" style="display:block; height:209px; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto; width:512px"></p>

<p dir="ltr" style="text-align:center"><em>Click “GO”</em></p>

<p dir="ltr" style="text-align:justify">To test Internet speed, MySpeed will conduct 3 small tests: ping, download, and upload speed test. </p>

<p dir="ltr" style="text-align:justify">First of all, your computer will attempt to download large files from the test server. </p>

<p dir="ltr" style="text-align:justify">As the process completes, your downloading result will be measured in Mbps (megabits per second). </p>

<p dir="ltr" style="text-align:justify">After that, your computer will continue to upload a file to the test server, thus calculating the upload speed. </p>

<p dir="ltr" style="text-align:justify">At the same time, Gospeedcheck will do some activities to measure ping speed (millisecond). The process is supposed to take from a few seconds to one minute.</p>

<ul>
<li dir="ltr">
	<p dir="ltr" style="text-align:justify"><strong>Step 3: Get the result</strong></p>
	</li>
</ul>
<p dir="ltr" style="text-align:justify">After a couple of seconds, you see your download, upload speed, and ping time. </p>

<p dir="ltr" style="text-align:justify">Let’s see how to use MySpeed to get the final result:</p>

<p dir="ltr" style="text-align:justify"><img alt="MySpeed is easy to use" src="http://gospeedcheck.com/filemanager/data-images/why-does-my-download-speed-not-match-speed-test-4.gif" style="display:block; height:288px; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto; width:512px"></p>

<p dir="ltr" style="text-align:center"><em>MySpeed is easy to use</em></p>

<p dir="ltr" style="text-align:justify">It is advised that you conduct the test several times per day and take an average result. </p>

<p dir="ltr" style="text-align:justify">A good network connection has a speed of at least 25 Mbps. </p>

<p dir="ltr" style="text-align:justify">Most online activities, including HD streaming, online gaming, web surfing, and music downloading, will be supported at these speeds.</p>

<p dir="ltr" style="text-align:justify">Fast Internet speeds (100+ Mbps) are typically preferable, especially if you want your Internet package to enable numerous devices and users simultaneously.</p>

<h2 dir="ltr" style="text-align:center" id="tag-57"><strong>How to understand speed test results?</strong></h2>

<p dir="ltr" style="text-align:justify">As discussed in step 3, the test result will show you 3 specifications: download, upload, and ping.</p>

<p dir="ltr" style="text-align:justify">You can use them to assess general health and your Internet connection speed.</p>

<p dir="ltr" style="text-align:justify"><img alt="A speed test result" src="http://gospeedcheck.com/filemanager/data-images/why-does-my-download-speed-not-match-speed-test-5.png" style="display:block; height:224px; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto; width:512px"></p>

<p dir="ltr" style="text-align:center"><em>A speed test result</em></p>

<ul>
<li dir="ltr">
	<p dir="ltr" style="text-align:justify">Network delay is connected to <strong>ping </strong>tests. </p>
	</li>
</ul>
<p dir="ltr" style="text-align:justify">The amount of time it takes for a packet of data to transit across a network from one computer to another is known as latency.</p>

<p dir="ltr" style="text-align:justify">Most Internet users don't need to run ping tests because they are connected to upload and download testing in any case. </p>

<p dir="ltr" style="text-align:justify">Instead, ping tests are crucial for gamers because latency can cause substantial lag in network gaming.</p>

<ul>
<li dir="ltr">
	<p dir="ltr" style="text-align:justify">You can find out how quickly your computer can download stuff from the Internet by running <strong>download </strong>tests. </p>
	</li>
</ul>
<p dir="ltr" style="text-align:justify">This includes the time it will take to download files or stream content from video streaming services to your computer.</p>

<ul>
<li dir="ltr">
	<p dir="ltr" style="text-align:justify">You can find out how long it will take to upload files or other content from your computer to the Internet by running <strong>upload</strong> tests. </p>
	</li>
</ul>
<p dir="ltr" style="text-align:justify">Adding files from your computer to Google Drive or another cloud storage account is one example.</p>

<p dir="ltr" style="text-align:justify">What is used to <a href="https://gospeedcheck.com/article/measure-download-speeds-564" target="_blank">measure download speeds</a>, upload speeds, and ping?</p>

<p dir="ltr" style="text-align:justify">The download and upload speeds in Mbps and the ping time in milliseconds (ms) are provided by all speed test programs.</p>

<h2 dir="ltr" style="text-align:center" id="tag-85"><strong>Why does my download speed not match the speed test?</strong></h2>

<p dir="ltr" style="text-align:justify">After Internet speed tests work completely, you’ll get a good result but your network connection seems still slow. </p>

<p dir="ltr" style="text-align:justify">In other words, the download speed not matching speed test. </p>

<p dir="ltr" style="text-align:justify"><a href="https://gospeedcheck.com/article/why-is-my-internet-slow-but-good-website-test-speed-results-99">Why does my download speed not match speed test</a>?</p>

<p dir="ltr" style="text-align:justify">The below things may be the reasons:</p>

<p dir="ltr" style="text-align:justify"><img alt="8 reasons causing download speed to differ from the test result" src="http://gospeedcheck.com/filemanager/data-images/why-does-my-download-speed-not-match-speed-test-11.png" style="display:block; height:1600px; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto; width:640px"></p>

<p dir="ltr" style="text-align:center"><em>8 reasons causing download speed to differ from the test result</em></p>

<h3 dir="ltr" style="text-align:justify" id="tag-96"><strong>“Up to” speeds</strong></h3>

<p dir="ltr" style="text-align:justify">Your <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internet_service_provider" rel="nofollow">Internet service provider</a> (ISP) can't control your overall online experience.</p>

<p dir="ltr" style="text-align:justify">It’s because your speed is only going to be as fast as the slowest segment between you and the site you’re trying to visit.</p>

<p dir="ltr" style="text-align:justify">Think of your promised Internet speeds by ISP, it is the same way you think of a speed limit sign. </p>

<p dir="ltr" style="text-align:justify">Although the freeway sign says you can go 75 mph, you’ve got no shot of going fast at that speed during rush hour because of the congestion on the freeway.</p>

<p dir="ltr" style="text-align:justify"><img alt="ISPs offer “up to” speed" src="http://gospeedcheck.com/filemanager/data-images/why-does-my-download-speed-not-match-speed-test-6.png" style="display:block; height:384px; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto; width:512px"></p>

<p dir="ltr" style="text-align:center"><em>ISPs offer “up to” speed</em></p>

<p dir="ltr" style="text-align:justify">ISPs offer you the Internet connection with perfect “up to” speed as an incentive trick for customers to choose them. </p>

<p dir="ltr" style="text-align:justify">That number also represents the best-case scenario with one device connecting to the Internet.  </p>

<p dir="ltr" style="text-align:justify">Therefore, if test results aren’t the same as their actual speed, you may fall into the trap of the Internet provider.</p>

<h3 dir="ltr" style="text-align:justify" id="tag-110"><strong>ISP-hosted tests</strong></h3>

<p dir="ltr" style="text-align:justify">Many of the most popular Internet speed tests encourage ISPs to host a testing server on their network.</p>

<p dir="ltr" style="text-align:justify">The purpose is to help increase the chances that their users will get the fastest test results. </p>

<p dir="ltr" style="text-align:justify"><img alt="You may get high speed when using ISP-hosted tests" src="http://gospeedcheck.com/filemanager/data-images/why-does-my-download-speed-not-match-speed-test-7.png" style="display:block; height:342px; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto; width:512px"></p>

<p dir="ltr" style="text-align:center"><em>You may get high speed when using ISP-hosted tests</em></p>

<p dir="ltr" style="text-align:justify">This is a good thing.</p>

<p dir="ltr" style="text-align:justify">Yet, there comes a problem. </p>

<p dir="ltr" style="text-align:justify">Unless you only use websites hosted by the company connecting you to the Internet or their peering networks, it doesn't represent the real world. </p>

<p dir="ltr" style="text-align:justify">Thus, to get the real result and not have that contrary, you should be suspicious of any speed-testing website or app your ISP suggests using.</p>

<h3 dir="ltr" style="text-align:justify" id="tag-122"><strong>Independent testing site</strong></h3>

<p dir="ltr" style="text-align:justify">Test results don’t reflect the true situation that can be if you don’t still use an independent and credible testing site. </p>

<p dir="ltr" style="text-align:justify">One test site that has no affiliation to any of the ISPs, independent and safe for users is MySpeed or you can access <a href="https://gospeedcheck.com/">https://gospeedcheck.com/</a>.</p>

<p dir="ltr" style="text-align:justify"><img alt="MySpeed is an independent speed check website" src="http://gospeedcheck.com/filemanager/data-images/why-does-my-download-speed-not-match-speed-test-8.png" style="display:block; height:320px; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto; width:512px"></p>

<p dir="ltr" style="text-align:center"><em>MySpeed is an independent speed check website</em></p>

<p dir="ltr" style="text-align:justify">Their test results are more reflective of your actual speed and far more detailed. The results are returned quicker after a few seconds. </p>

<p dir="ltr" style="text-align:justify">It also keeps history tracks of your Internet after testing time. </p>

<p dir="ltr" style="text-align:justify">From that, you can compare the results at many different points a day or a week. It is so convenient and helpful. </p>

<p dir="ltr" style="text-align:justify">Also, it provides you with more accurate results as well as useful information to help you raise the Internet performance quality. </p>

<h3 dir="ltr" style="text-align:justify" id="tag-135"><strong>Understanding the variables</strong></h3>

<p dir="ltr" style="text-align:justify">There are so many variables that can impact your actual online experience. </p>

<p dir="ltr" style="text-align:justify">Even they can't relate to the Internet plan that your ISP is providing you. </p>

<p dir="ltr" style="text-align:justify">Those variables can be:</p>

<ul>
<li dir="ltr">
	<p dir="ltr" style="text-align:justify">The time of day: peak hour &amp; peak-off hour.</p>
	</li>
	<li dir="ltr">
	<p dir="ltr" style="text-align:justify">The website you’re trying to connect to foreign &amp; local websites.</p>
	</li>
	<li dir="ltr">
	<p dir="ltr" style="text-align:justify">Whether you’re using wireless network Wi-Fi or have a wired connection: Wifi interference like Microwave, Bluetooth, cable materials, furniture, ...</p>
	</li>
	<li dir="ltr">
	<p dir="ltr" style="text-align:justify">The age of your modem: life cycle of a router-modem is 3-4 year.</p>
	</li>
	<li dir="ltr">
	<p dir="ltr" style="text-align:justify">An old cable, bitten, leaked cable.</p>
	</li>
	<li dir="ltr">
	<p dir="ltr" style="text-align:justify">How many other devices on your own network are currently using the same network connection.</p>
	</li>
	<li dir="ltr">
	<p dir="ltr" style="text-align:justify">…..</p>
	</li>
</ul>
<p dir="ltr" style="text-align:justify"><img alt="Wifi interference may impact your Internet" src="http://gospeedcheck.com/filemanager/data-images/why-does-my-download-speed-not-match-speed-test-9.png" style="display:block; height:288px; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto; width:512px"></p>

<p dir="ltr" style="text-align:center"><em>Wifi interference may impact your Internet</em></p>

<p dir="ltr" style="text-align:justify">Each of the above factors can impact download speed test results somewhat. </p>

<p dir="ltr" style="text-align:justify">For example, when you are playing an online game, someone in your house tries to download files. </p>

<p dir="ltr" style="text-align:justify">That time, the result of a speed check online should be a bad, slow connection. </p>

<p dir="ltr" style="text-align:justify">If not, there is something wrong. </p>

<p dir="ltr" style="text-align:justify">Further, the other thing to remember is that when you run any of these tools, you’re taking a snapshot of that moment in time.</p>

<p dir="ltr" style="text-align:justify">It can be extremely misleading. </p>

<p dir="ltr" style="text-align:justify">Therefore, it is necessary that you really need to run a series of tests at different times of the day over several days to truly determine your average speeds. </p>

<p dir="ltr" style="text-align:justify">That time, the test result is more objective and may delete the situation when the test result is good but the Internet is so slow and lagged.</p>

<h3 dir="ltr" style="text-align:justify" id="tag-167"><strong>Other things </strong></h3>

<p dir="ltr" style="text-align:justify">Moreover, the contraction between the test and the real result can be due to some errors while running the test. </p>

<p dir="ltr" style="text-align:justify">It is often advised that to perform speed tests correctly, you need to take notice of:</p>

<ul>
<li dir="ltr">
	<p dir="ltr" style="text-align:justify">Turn off VPN (a virtual private network)</p>
	</li>
	<li dir="ltr">
	<p dir="ltr" style="text-align:justify">Disable firewall, malware</p>
	</li>
	<li dir="ltr">
	<p dir="ltr" style="text-align:justify">Turn off an unnecessary background process</p>
	</li>
	<li dir="ltr">
	<p dir="ltr" style="text-align:justify">Stop downloading large files, playing online games, or streaming movies,...</p>
	</li>
</ul>
<p dir="ltr" style="text-align:justify">VPN or firewalls have no influence on download rate but they can create some errors in the speed check Internet. </p>

<p dir="ltr" style="text-align:justify">The reason is that VPN, firewall, and malware are the 3rd parties of your network connection.</p>

<p dir="ltr" style="text-align:justify">If you check the Internet speeds while enabling them, the tool might misunderstand and measure the speed of the 3rd party. </p>

<p dir="ltr" style="text-align:justify"><img alt="You should disable the firewall" src="http://gospeedcheck.com/filemanager/data-images/why-does-my-download-speed-not-match-speed-test-10%20(1).png" style="display:block; height:268px; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto; width:512px"></p>

<p dir="ltr" style="text-align:center"><em>You should disable the firewall</em></p>

<p dir="ltr" style="text-align:justify">As a result, the download result isn't equal to the test result.</p>

<p dir="ltr" style="text-align:justify">Similarly, online activities such as downloading large files, streaming Netflix movies, and background processes take up a large amount of downloading data.</p>

<p dir="ltr" style="text-align:justify">When doing these activities at the same time, the results can't be completely correct.</p>
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