Are you facing congestion while streaming and downloading? And wondering why Spectrum Internet is so slow. You are being throttled, but there is a way around it.
Uninterrupted and fast internet speeds are a necessity now. Nothing frustrates a user more than slow internet speed. But since the Net Neutrality rules are abolished, there are significant concerns around bandwidth throttling. Issues like Spectrum Throttling are becoming prevalent, which is downright frustrating.
But it is not just Spectrum. All significant ISPs like AT&T, Comcast, and Verizon have been caught throttling users’ internet speed. Hence, netizens are always searching for ISPs that can provide high speeds, and Spectrum is one of them. Acquired by Time Warner Cable, Spectrum is a popular broadband provider with 27 million subscribers. However, users have experienced slow connectivity issues with Spectrum while they stream and browse the web.
Anyone suffering from such an issue is a victim of Spectrum throttling. The article shares comprehensive information about how it happens and what can be done to prevent Spectrum throttling. So, let’s jump into this.
Quick Tip
ISP throttling worldwide issue, whether you like it or not, it’s there. Sometimes it is the name of peak hours, bandwidth loads, extensive torrenting or streaming, or because of the net-neutrality bill. There are many ways to get around this issue, but the most effective and quick way to use the fastest VPN service.
- CyberGhost (9.9 ratings) is the most recommended.
- NordVPN (9.9 rating) has fastest severs
- Surfshark: offers better support for streaming and downloading.
Using the fastest VPN, you can easily change your IP and get around the ISP throttling filter.
Why Is Spectrum So Slow?
Net Neutrality is now dead in the USA, significantly empowering ISPs like Spectrum. The broadband provider is among the famous internet providers in the USA; unfortunately, it also involves throttling user connection. The US Senate in 2017 abolished the broadband privacy laws, and under the new laws, the ISP enjoys extra rights over users’ data.
The laws allow ISPs, including Spectrum, to monitor users’ online activities and slow down their speed if they catch them involved in activities against their policies. In various instances, Spectrum users have complained about slow speed while they stream on Netflix. Despite promising to stop the practice, the ISP still throttles user connections and disturbs their browsing experience.
Why Does Spectrum Throttle Your Internet?
Despite being a popular ISP, Spectrum has damaged its reputation for purposely slowing down the internet speed. Spectrum throttles your connection for various reasons. Some of the most prominent ones are as follows:
- The repeal of Net Neutrality
- To stop DDoS attacks
- To restrict the bandwidth
- Late payment of bills
- To maintain a stable internet connection during peak hours
- To prevent people from downloading and sharing large files.
From a user’s point of view, throttling is downright unfair. The users pay a high price to enjoy unlimited bandwidth, but ISPs like Spectrum restrict them from freely using the web for the sake of their policies. Hence, if you’re being throttled, you should look for ways to get rid of it permanently.
How to Check If Spectrum Is Throttling Your Connection?
When you’re downloading torrents or streaming on Netflix, you often experience slow speed. You usually associate it with throttling without being sure. If you experience any such signs and you doubt being throttled, it’s recommended to perform a few tests to know whether Spectrum is throttling your bandwidth or not. The following tests are the most reliable methods to check whether Spectrum is throttling your connection.
- Speed Test: If your speeds decrease drastically while browsing, you should perform a speed by using this tool. Conduct tests at different times of the day for a few days. If you observe continuous slowing down of speeds, it means that Spectrum is throttling your connection.
- Internet Health Test: Another way to check if you’re being throttled is to undergo an internet health test. The test results inform you about any degradation of connection from the ISPs. This test is helpful when the ISP is throttling the connection when you’re using a service that takes up much of the bandwidth, like Netflix.
- Internet Plan: You may be throttled because you might research your monthly traffic limit. To clear your doubts, check your internet plan and get to know your monthly bandwidth. If it is not what you were being offered, it is a sign that Spectrum is throttling your connection.
Once you’re confirmed that Spectrum is throttling your connection, it is time to look for ways to prevent it.
How to Stop Spectrum Throttling?
As mentioned earlier, there are various reasons why Spectrum might throttle your connection. Regardless of the reason, throttling violates individuals’ right to access the internet freely. If you’re also worried about the slow internet connection, you shouldn’t because it is time to do something against spectrum throttling.
- CyberGhost Pro : top-ranked (Cheap In price)
- NordVPN: Wide range of servers
- ExpressVPN: Fastest servers
- Surfshark: Great for bypassing ISP Throttling
You can easily bypass Spectrum throttling using a compatible and reliable VPN. A VPN hides your actual IP address, by which you enjoy anonymity over the web. Also, it encrypts your data traffic and sends it via an encrypted tunnel, where it is converted into scrambled form. Any external eyes cannot detect the scrambled data.
It means that your ISP won’t be able to see which websites you’re visiting and what you’re doing over the web. This way, you bypass the ISP filters that determine your heavy bandwidth activities. All this makes it difficult for Spectrum to discriminate against your activities and throttles your internet connection.
You might be wondering which VPNs should be used to bypass Spectrum throttling. If this is your concern, we’ve compiled the four best VPNs below to prevent Spectrum throttling. Have a look:
1. CyberGhost VPN
Great option when it comes to speed issues
45-day money-back guarantee
$2.19/month
2 Months FREE
Secure up to 7 devices
Rating
9.6
Based on test results
The CyberGhost VPN is yet another VPN that performs efficiently to bypass Spectrum throttling, and all credit goes to its extensive server network. The VPN provider comprises more than 7000 servers in 91; all servers provide a fast connection that ensures a hassle-free streaming and browsing experience. The VPN comes with specialized servers for torrenting and streaming, and thus you can smoothly download torrents and stream on Netflix and other streaming sites.
Furthermore, it is a reliable VPN and uses strong encryption and various protocols to protect your data from the ISPs. Like other top-tier VPNs mentioned here, CyberGhost also uses several security-focused features like:
- Kill switch
- WebRTC leak protection
- IP and DNS leak protection
- Split tunneling
- Passcamp password manager
Besides this, the VPN provider also offers NoSpy servers that grant you anonymity and speed over the web. CyberGhost VPN allows users to enjoy a one-day trial period and a 45-days money-back guarantee offer. You can buy the VPN at the lowest price of $2.25 per month, even with Bitcoin, to keep your identity protected and enjoy speedy connections.
2. NordVPN
30-day money-back guarantee
$3.49/month
Best For Streaming
Secure up to 6 devices
Rating
9.9
Based on test results
NordVPN is our first choice when it comes to bypassing Spectrum throttling. The VPN provider comes with an extensive server network spread in 60 countries and establishes quick connections. When tested for speeds so, NordVPN emerges as one of the fastest service providers. It provides fast and reliable connections across all servers with negligible connection lags. NordVPN’s instantaneous speed is also because it uses NordLynx and OpenVPN protocols. Both of these protocols guarantee fast speed throughout the browsing experience.
Moreover, NordVPN provides top-notch security and protection to the users when it comes to safety. It is a private VPN, and its no-log audit report proves this stance. It also uses a range of impressive features that strengthen your online security. Some of these features include:
- Kill switch
- AES-256 bit encryption
- VPN leak protection
- Dedicated IP address
- Multi-Factor Authentication
The VPN provider also offers unlimited bandwidth to stream on Netflix and download torrents with fast speeds. As a whole, NordVPN offers exceptional performance in preventing Spectrum throttling, and you can buy it at a low price of $3.67 per month.
2. ExpressVPN
30-day money-back guarantee
$6.67/month
4096-bit DH key
Secure up to 5 devices
Rating
9.2
Based on test results
ExpressVPN is another excellent VPN that offers the fastest connection speed to overcome Spectrum throttling issues. It is a reliable VPN that uses secure encryption and a range of encryption protocols like OpenVPN, IKEv2, and Lightway. ExpressVPN’s fast connection speed is often linked to its Lightway protocol that automatically changes the security layers to ensure a fast connection. Also, the Lightway protocol and unlimited bandwidth allow you to stream and download torrents without any connectivity issues.
The VPN provider is also a reliable and secure VPN to use. It uses various security and privacy-enhancing features that ensure that none of your activities are visible to your ISP. Some of ExpressVPN’s features are as follows:
- Network lock
- IP/DNS leak protection
- RAM-only servers
- Zero-Knowledge DNS
- Split tunneling
- Obfuscated mode
Apart from this, ExpressVPN consists of a pretty decent server network that is spread in 94 countries. All the servers offer fast speed and prevent throttling from ruining your browsing experience. Though ExpressVPN is a bit expensive, its performance justifies its price. You can get ExpressVPN for $8.23/ month with a 30-days money-back guarantee offer.
3. Surfshark VPN
30-day money-back guarantee
$2.30/month
AES-256
Unlimited Users
Rating
9.6
Based on test results
The next best VPN to stop Spectrum throttling is Surfshark VPN. Its low price and outstanding features make it a great VPN to use. The VPN provider is a trustworthy VPN since it protects the user data with the industry’s highest encryption standard and uses various encryption protocols like the OpenVPN and WireGuard protocol. These protocols maintain fast speed as well as increase your digital privacy.
Other than this, the VPN also uses several impressive features that further boost their online security and make it difficult for the ISP to detect their online activities. The most remarkable feature is the camouflage or obfuscation mode that disguises your traffic as regular traffic and easily bypasses the ISP filters. Other features include:
- Kill switch
- VPN leak
- Split tunneling
- Private DNS servers
Surfshark VPN has a decent server network that consists of more than 3200 servers in 65 countries. The speeds are fast enough for streaming and torrenting. The connection lag is minimum which means you can stream videos on Netflix in HD quality and download torrents without any speed issue. The VPN provider is the most preferred choice to use because of its price. You can buy Surfshark VPN for $2.49 per month and enjoy fast and unrestricted internet access.
How to Install a VPN to Bypass Spectrum Throttling?
To bypass Spectrum throttling, all you need is to install the VPN provider onto your device. If you think that installing a VPN is challenging, then you’re wrong. If you know the proper steps, you can set up a VPN in less than five minutes. Below are the steps for installing a VPN to prevent Spectrum throttling. So here you go:
- Select a reliable VPN provider from the above-recommended list and subscribe to it.
- Create a new user account.
- Download and install the VPN app on your device.
- Once the VPN app gets downloaded, sign in to your VPN account.
- Choose a server of your choice and tap to connect.
- Wait till the connection is established, and that’s it. You’re now connected to a VPN and can surf the web with fast speeds.
To check if the VPN is working perfectly fine, watch a movie on Netflix or download torrents. If you’re to stream and download smoothly, your VPN has successfully bypassed Spectrum throttling.
Does Spectrum Block VPNs?
Using a VPN guarantees maximum online protection. Under US laws, it is legal to use a VPN, and ISPs like Spectrum won’t have any reason to block them. However, using a VPN for any illegal activity like buying and selling drugs and weapons or downloading copyrighted material won’t make it legal in any way. So, as a whole, you can use a VPN in the US, and your service provider won’t block it. Just be sure that you aren’t involved in any illegal activities.
FAQ’s
Yes, Charter does throttle Internet speed. However, they do not throttle all Internet speeds equally. Instead, they throttle certain types of traffic more heavily than others. For example, they may throttle video streaming more heavily than web browsing or emailing.
There are a few reasons your Internet service provider (ISP) might throttle your connection. One reason is to reduce congestion on their network. If everyone is using the same amount of bandwidth simultaneously, it can cause the network to slow down for everyone. Your ISP can help keep the overall network running smoothly by throttling certain types of traffic.
Another reason why your ISP might throttle your connection is to save money on infrastructure costs. Bandwidth-intensive activities like video streaming require more expensive equipment and infrastructure than lighter activities like web browsing or emailing. By throttling these types of traffic, your ISP can avoid investing in expensive upgrades to their network.
Lastly, some ISPsthrottle certain types of traffic to comply with copyright laws and regulations. For example, many ISPs will throttle BitTorrent traffic because it is often used for illegal file sharing.
There are a few signs that you may be experiencing throttling from Spectrum. These include:
-Increased latency or “lag” when gaming or streaming online
-Constant buffering or loading screens when trying to stream video
-Web pages taking longer than usual to load
– general slowdown of your internet connection
If you’re noticing any of these issues, it’s possible that your ISP is throttling your Wi-Fi. To confirm this, you can run a speed test. If your results show that your connection is slower than it should be, then throttling is likely the culprit.
There is no surefire way to tell if your Spectrum is throttling your internet speeds. However, there are a few things you can look for that may indicate that your speeds are being artificially slowed down.
First, check the advertised speeds for your plan. If you’re paying for a certain level of service, like 100Mbps, and you’re only seeing speeds around 10-20Mbps during testing, that’s a strong sign that something is wrong.
Second, see how your speeds compare to other users on the same plan in your area. If everyone else seems to be getting the full 100Mbps but you’re stuck at 20Mbps, that’s another red flag.
Third, run speed tests at different times of day and week. Throttling typically happens during peak usage hours when everyone is trying to use the internet at once. So if you test your speed in the middle of the night and get great results but then see much slower speeds during prime time hours, that’s likely an indication of throttling.
Conclusion
Spectrum also throttles your internet connection. If you want to enjoy an unthrottled and fast internet connection, you should start using a reliable VPN provider. It obscures your IP address, bypasses the ISP filters, and ensures fast connection speeds. Also, encrypting your data makes you utterly private over the web. Your ISP won’t be able to track or monitor your online activities.
The above-recommended VPNs are the best when it comes to bypass Spectrum throttling. They all provide fast and consistent speeds and have impressive security and privacy-boosting features. Choose any of the above-mentioned VPN providers and enjoy speedy connections while browsing the web.
