What is upload speed?

Upload speeds are used when you want to send information from your device to another location on the internet. Although we don’t think about it as much as we think about downloading information, we upload information all the time. We use our upload speed when we want to post a video to Facebook, or send a picture from our phone to a friend. We also use it every time we click on a link or type a search term into Google. That information has to travel from our browser to the appropriate server in order to tell it which information it needs to send us. Uploading is an essential part of using the internet.

We all use the upload speed test, but some people rely on it heavily. If you’re a content creator that works with video, audio, or other media with large file sizes, slow upload speeds could mean waiting for hours to post your content online or store it on a cloud-based server. If you livestream video or use video chat like Zoom or Skype, you won’t even be able to connect if your bandwidth is too low.

Most ISPs advertise only download speeds, so you might not even realize that upload speeds are a separate thing. Download speeds are also generally the faster of the two speeds, so most advertisements tend to focus on them.

Why is my upload speed so slow?

Here are the typical factors that can affect your upload speeds:

• Your connection bandwidth. This is a key factor in whether you can access decent upload speeds and is largely determined by your provider. So, as we’ve said above, if your uploads are slow, it may just be a case of switching providers. Even if your connection is generally quite good, your supplier may be doing something called “throttling”, which is when it deliberately reduces your available bandwidth in order to manage lots of users’ traffic.
• Too many devices on a single network. As a general rule of thumb, the more devices logged in to the same broadband connection, the more of your connection’s bandwidth is being used up, slowing down both your download and upload speeds. So if 3 or 4 users in a single household all want to stream ultra-high definition movies or play bandwidth-heavy online games at the same time, this can slow down everyone’s connection.
• Malware on your computer. This could also be slowing down your device’s ability to upload at a decent speed. You may have inadvertently downloaded malware, or malicious software, in an email attachment or when downloading a file from an untrustworthy website.
• Outdated device drivers. Drivers are pieces of software that allow your computer to control hardware like network adapters, printers and keyboards. Outdated drivers can prevent your device from uploading data to its full potential.

Why is upload slower than download?

For many users, uploading files is quite a bit slower than downloading files. This is usually normal, because most high-speed Internet connections, including cable modems and DSL, are asymmetric — they are designed to provide much better speed for downloading than uploading

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How do I fix a slow upload speed?

To fix slow upload speed test, reset the router and ensure its firmware is up-to-date. Disable any proxy (VPN) settings and scan your system for malware. Also, consider upgrading your router or internet plan for more bandwidth and multiple device support.

How to increase your upload speed

• Try using a wired connection. If you’re currently using a Wi-Fi connection, try connecting to the Internet with an ethernet cable to your computer. Wired connections can offer both faster upload and download speeds.