The last thing you want is to search for how to speed up HughesNet internet when you have a massive backlog of work and slow internet.
Have you tried good old reliable “Turn off/Turn on” on your devices?” If that didn’t work, check the HughesNet satellite dish placement. Otherwise, use these six quick tips to speed up HughesNet’s internet connection.
- Check all your cables.
- Use a different router.
- Use an Ethernet cable.
- Update router firmware.
- Add Wi-Fi extenders.
- Call HughesNet Support.
Let’s investigate why your HughesNet internet is frustratingly slow and highlight doable solutions to boost the speed.
HughesNet Internet Speed
HughesNet is a satellite internet provider with various plans for residential and business customers.
The internet service has budget options such as the Satellite-only 15 GB Data Plan that gives customers about 15 Mbps at only $49.99 monthly.
They also provide a range of options with an average advertised speed of 25 Mbps, costing between $74.99 and $149.99.
The highest tier of HughesNet internet – supposedly great for businesses – is a 50 Mbps speed package at $174.99 monthly.
On average, you’ll get about 19 Mbps download speed from a steady HughesNet connection.
It becomes a concern once you start experiencing unusually slow speeds without any explanation.
Why Is My HughesNet Running Slow?
Bad Satellite Dish Placement
Satellite dish on a roof
Unlike fiber internet, which relies on underground cabling, HughesNet relies on satellites about 22,000 kilometers away from the Earth. The massive distance sometimes causes long latency rates and low speeds.
However, correct dish placement ensures you have a stable connection as long as the satellites are dispersing strong internet signals.
Still, bad weather or accidental hits could knock the dish off its favorable position. It’s even more common when the satellite is mounted on the roof.
Damaged Equipment And Cables
Well-maintained equipment will give you top-tier performance at every turn. Broken cables, damaged routers, and dishes will bring your HughesNet internet speed to its knees.
The damage to internet equipment is usually a product of accidents, normal wear and tear, or negligence.
Outdated Firmware
One overlooked cause of slow internet is outdated software in devices. Firmware updates enhance equipment performance. Additionally, software updates usually come with corrective patches and security updates.
Incorrect Router Position
Your dish might be in the right place and your cables might be in great condition. However, did you know that a router’s position in a house can negatively affect internet speed? Satellite internet signals travel in waves.
Therefore, walls, furniture, and electromagnetic devices block these waves and weaken signals. Even worse, they can corrupt data.
Slow Plan Supporting Many Devices
As mentioned, HughesNet offers internet packages from 15-50 Mbps. Your internet speeds may be slow because too many devices depend on your connection.
It’s even worse when you use your average speed plan for speed-hungry activities such as HD or 4K streaming, online gaming, or video calling.
Total Outages
In extreme circumstances, slow internet could be a case of an outage. Since satellites are susceptible to collisions, you might experience slow speed or complete internet blackouts when key HughesNet internet infrastructure has a blackout.
Corrective Actions To Speed Up HughesNet
Adjust the Dish Position
Setting up the HughesNet satellite dish is a technician’s job. Therefore, you need a professional technician to realign your satellite dish when the dish is out of position.
However, in case a certified technician isn’t readily available, it’s best to see where the dish faces when it is first installed.
HughesNet dishes are usually pointed to the south.
Still, your best action in this situation is to call HughesNet customer service on their 866-347-3292 line to realign your out-of-position dish.
Repair Broken Cables
You must inspect broken cables for damaged areas that could be degrading the speed and quality of HughesNet internet. You can repair small nicks and cuts with wire cutters and minor wire joining skills.
However, extensive damage to the cables requires you to get new cables. It would be wise to keep new backup cables, especially if you are in areas where you can access replacement cables quickly.
Ensure there are no loose ties and joining in the wire work, especially around the cable.
Finally, protect the cables from bird and rodent attacks.
Run Firmware Updates
Go to the HughesNet website and check for firmware updates for their devices. Run any latest updates to get secure patches and security features.
Also, you can check your HughesNet account under configurations to check if it’s due for any updates. Change the settings to update the firmware automatically.
Reposition The Router
First, you need to check whether the router/modem has any damage. If the router is damaged, call the service provider to issue a new one.
Install the new router in a central location away from any physical barriers.
We recommend you position the router as follows.
- A central location
- At eye level or higher.
- In a less congested room
- Readily accessible for service or repairs.
Reset Your Modem
- Unplug the modem/router from the power source for 30-60 seconds.
- Replug it and wait for the router to identify the connection.
- You can also use the power button to switch the router/modem off and on again.
Now that you have checked all the devices, fixed damages, repositioned the router and dish, ran updates and reset the router, you can include other measures in fixing HughesNet slow internet.
Use WiFi Extenders
A WiFi extender repeats or echos your internet signals to give it the same strength as the receiver device.
It works in a large room where the signal might be weak due to barriers. It might not increase the speed, but it gives you better coverage in dead zones in a large house.
Use a Different Router
A HughesNet internet kit comes with a WiFi6 router. Therefore, you can use another router with WiFi6 capabilities if it upgrades your speed and performance.
Connect the 3rd party router to the HughesNet modem’s LAN port and get better security features or faster speeds.
Also, you can use Ethernet cables with the 3rd party modem. A wired connection is typically faster than a wireless signal due to less interference.
Reduce Supported Devices
Switch off some devices connected to the internet but are not in use at that moment. It’ll free up bandwidth and increase the speed of the connected devices.
Also, you can use a wired connection for high-speed activity and leave the wireless function to less demanding devices.
Upgrade Your Plan
The most logical and practical solution to a working plan with sluggish speed is to upgrade to a higher tier.
The most basic HughesNet plan gives you about 15 Mbps. If you have the 25 Mbps package, speed tests might be reading an average of 19 Mbps.
Since the highest HughesNet speed is 50 Mbps, upgrade to a 25 Mbps plan that gives you more priority data before data throttling or data caps.
Contact HughesNet Customer Service
If all the above plans fail, you may need to escalate the issue to customer support.
HughesNet customer support responds fast if you call the 1-866-347-3292 line.
They’ll put you on a call with a live agent who can tell you why you are experiencing low speeds.
Also, they are the best people to recommend and dispatch professional technicians to assess and correct any problems.
Conclusion
Slow internet speed is frustrating. HughesNet satellite internet is common. However, there are ways around it.
The above troubleshooting solutions should address speed problems associated with HughesNet.
If all the methods don’t improve speeds, escalate the problem to customer support.