Why Cox Internet Speed Goes Extremely Down All Sudden? (Fixed)

Cox is the third largest ISP in the US, and although It promises not to throttle its users, many people complain of throttling. If you experience a sudden drop in speeds even after paying for extra bandwidth, then Cox is throttling your connection. But there is a way to bypass Cox throttling!

Looking for various ways to bypass Cox throttling has become an everyday activity for its users. Cox customers often experience slow internet speeds or buffering when streaming video, torrenting, or gaming. And all this usually happens when Cox is throttling your connection. 

Throttling is when an internet service provider (ISP) intentionally slows down a customer’s internet connection speed. ISPs may throttle connections for various reasons, such as managing network congestion or encouraging customers to upgrade to more expensive plans. 

While throttling is a legal practice after the abolishment of net neutrality in 2018, it is unethical and leads to slow internet speeds and a bad online experience. Amidst this, finding reliable ways to bypass the issue is downright crucial.

Is your Cox connection slow?- How do you check?

Cox is one of the most popular ISPs in the US, but its users have started facing unbearably slow speeds and performance degeneration. Since all the major ISPs in the US, including Comcast, Verizon, or AT&T, practice throttling, Cox may also be involved in the activity. If you want to figure out whether you are a victim of throttling or if there is any other issue causing slow speeds, you need to cross-check through the following methods:

• Use a VPN: VPNs can help bypass ISP throttling by encrypting your internet traffic. If you suspect throttling, connect to a VPN server in a different location and run speed tests. If your speeds improve with the VPN enabled, it may indicate that your ISP is throttling specific types of traffic. 
• Use the Wehe app: the Wehe app can analyze your internet traffic to identify any interference or throttling by your ISP.
• Run a speed test: Run regular speed tests and compare your results with the speeds promised by your ISP. It could signal throttling if you consistently get significantly lower speeds. 
• Ping and Latency Tests: High ping times and increased latency can be signs of throttling, especially for online gaming or real-time applications. You can use command-line tools like “ping” to measure your connection’s latency to specific servers.

These methods help evaluate if you are facing slow internet speeds due to throttling or whether you are facing bad connections due to issues at your end. 

Why is Cox so slow?- Common reasons 

Cox’s recent performance degeneration and slow Internet speeds are common problems for its users. The broadband provider made headlines in 2020 for throttling neighborhoods. And although the ISP does not have such clauses in its policy, its agents confirm throttling its users. Moreover, the ISP has also confirmed that the speed and performance of the internet are based on “type of equipment used, environmental and structural conditions in your home, number of users and other factors. Maximum available speeds may vary depending on service area.”

Therefore, if you are facing slow internet speeds with Cox, it is not necessary that your ISP is throttling its connection. Your slow speeds may be because you use the internet during peak hours and there is traffic congestion. Similarly, if you are getting consistently slow speeds, your router needs an upgrade, or the weather in your area impacts your connection. The best way out is to be sure and run relevant tests to come up with reliable ways to speed up your Cox internet. 

Does Cox throttle your connection? History

Cox Communications is the US’s third-largest cable and internet provider and is popular amongst users. The ISP was known to provide reliable speeds and connections. Still, since June 2020, it started throttling its users. Since then, its users have faced a constant degeneration of speeds and often have taken matters up to Cox’s customer support and Reddit. The ISP is known to throttle users’ connection on nights and weekends. 

While Cox does not have any policies where it would throttle users’ connections, its agents confirm that throttling users surpasses the monthly bandwidth limit. This is a common practice for Cox, and it even made headlines for throttling users who even paid extra charges after using up their monthly bandwidth in 2020. All this is despite facing class action lawsuits for allegedly overstating its internet speeds. 

Even now, Cox denies throttling customer internet speeds. The company has said it manages network traffic to ensure all customers have a good experience. However, the evidence suggests that Cox is throttling customer internet speeds, and it has the power to do so after the abolishment of Net Neutrality.

Cox customers experiencing slow internet speeds or throttling should contact customer support or look for reliable methods to bypass the issue, such as VPNs. 

Why is Cox Throttling your connection?- legal reasons 

Although the abolishment of net neutrality has made throttling legal for ISPs, there is no doubt that the practice is unethical and a nuisance for its customers. Nevertheless, ISps have several legal reasons for implementing this practice, such as:

• High bandwidth usage: Cox may throttle your connection if you use a lot of bandwidth, especially during peak usage hours. ISPs have a policy of throttling bandwidth for activities they deem “non-essential,” such as torrenting or streaming video. This helps ISPs manage network congestion and ensure all customers have a good experience. 
• Net neutrality abolishment: In 2017, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) repealed net neutrality rules. These rules prohibited ISPs from blocking or throttling certain types of traffic. The abolishment has made it easier for ISPs to throttle traffic without facing legal consequences. This means Cox can now throttle any traffic it wants, even if it is not “non-essential.
• Data caps: Cox will throttle your connection if you use more data than your plan allows. Customers who exceed their data caps may have their speeds throttled or be charged additional overage fees. Data caps are often used by ISPs to manage network congestion and encourage customers to upgrade to more expensive plans.
• Late Payment of bills: paying bills on time is crucial as it indicates the start of a new month cycle. Customers will likely face slow internet speeds if they have not paid their internet bills. 
• Preventing DDoS attacks: ISPs often throttle to mitigate the impact of Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks by intentionally slowing down traffic during an attack. By reducing the volume of incoming data, ISPs can prevent network congestion and ensure that legitimate traffic continues to flow, thus minimizing the effectiveness of the DDoS attack. 

It is important to note that Cox is not the only ISP that throttles customer connections. Many other ISPs also throttle traffic for various reasons. However, Cox is among the most notorious ISPs for throttling customer connections.

Signs of Cox Throttling 

Cox throttling is when Cox Communications intentionally slows down a customer’s internet connection speed. ISPs may throttle speeds for various reasons, such as managing network congestion or encouraging customers to upgrade to more expensive plans. Here are some signs of Cox throttling:

• Slow internet speeds: If your internet speeds are slower than usual, it could be a sign that Cox is throttling your connection. You can check your internet speeds using a speed test website.
• Buffering and lag: If you are experiencing buffering and lag when streaming video or gaming, it could be a sign that Cox is throttling your connection.
• Difficulty downloading or uploading files: If you are having difficulty downloading or uploading files, it could be a sign that Cox is throttling your connection.
• Your internet speeds are faster during off-peak hours: If your internet speeds are faster during off-peak hours, it could be a sign that Cox is throttling your connection during peak usage hours.

If you face one or all of these signs, you must be a victim of ISP throttling. Amidst this, the best way out is to confirm your suspicions through the abovementioned methods and use reliable methods to bypass the issue, such as VPN. 

Cox throttling policies. 

Cox has a history of throttling, and its customers often post such complaints on the ISPS’s forum and Reddit. But Cox has no specific throttling policy mentioned. The ISP’s terms of service state that “Cox does not shape or throttle Internet traffic based on the particular online content, protocols or applications a customer uses.”

When we contacted the live customer chat service, the agent informed us that Cox does not slow down speeds. 

According to their agent, Cox does not even slow speeds when a customer exceeds bandwidth. If users go beyond their bandwidth, the ISP will charge them extra. 

While this policy seems fairly decent, there remains a sliver of doubt primarily because even when Cox’s Terms Of Service denied throttling, its agents confirmed users of the practice. Moreover, its frequent slow speeds over high bandwidth activities and specific times of the day speak otherwise. 

How to bypass Cox Throttling?

Even though throttling has been made legal, it does not mean it is ethical. The slow speeds are a nuisance to deal with and are often a hindrance when performing even basic tasks. Moreover, throttling has made lives downright difficult, with the remote working culture becoming a norm. Amidst this, the best way out left is to find reliable ways to bypass Cox’s slow Internet issues. The following methods can help attain a better online experience. 

Use a VPN

A VPN is one of the most effective strategies to bypass Cox throttling. They help gain fast internet speeds by encrypting your data traffic and routing it through remote servers to change IP addresses, effectively hiding your activity from ISP. When your ISP remains dark over your online activities, they cannot throttle your connection, allowing you fast speeds. However, choosing a reputable VPN is essential to ensure a smooth and fast connection.

Contact Cox Support

If you are facing slow speeds due to throttling or other issues, try contacting Cox customer support. You can contact them via email or live chat from their official website, where agents are available from 8 a.m. onwards. To get assistance for your request, you must provide them with details of your plan, ID, email address, and even your physical address. If you are facing slow speeds due to throttling, bad weather, or technical issues, contacting customer support might help you eliminate the problem. 

Network Congestion

Network congestion is when several users are connected to the internet simultaneously. This usually results in slow speeds, especially over high bandwidth activities such as streaming or torrenting. Plan bandwidth-intensive activities during non-peak hours when network congestion is lower to eliminate the issue. Streaming or downloading large files during late evenings or early mornings can result in faster speeds. You can also optimize your home network by updating your routers and disconnecting unnecessary devices.

Upgrade Your Plan

Upgrading your bandwidth plan with Cox can be a practical solution to bypass throttling and address slow internet speeds. When you opt for a higher-tier plan, you typically gain access to more bandwidth and faster speeds, which can help achieve better speeds. Cox offers various service plans, each with different speed tiers, so considering a plan that aligns with your internet needs is worth considering.

Use a Proxy Server 

A proxy can help bypass Cox throttling by rerouting your internet traffic through an intermediary server, which masks your activities. While proxies are good for temporarily bypassing throttling, it has limitations. Proxies typically don’t encrypt data, so your online activities may not be as secure as with a VPN. Additionally, the effectiveness of proxies in bypassing throttling can vary, and they may not work consistently. 

How to use a VPN to bypass Cox Throttling?

Setting up a VPN for bypassing throttling might seem complex, but it is not daunting if you know the little tips and tricks necessary for a reliable connection. Here is how you can set up a VPN to bypass Cox throttling:

1. Select a reputable VPN service provider with robust privacy and security features, such as NordVPN, SurfsharkVPN, ExpressVPN, and CyberGhost VPN. 
2. Sign up for the VPN service, download their client software or app, and install it on your device.
3. Go to the browser and clear out the cache and browsing history. 
4. Launch the VPN app and connect to a server within the US from the list. This disguises your internet traffic and makes it harder for Cox to detect and throttle specific activities.
5. After connecting to the VPN server, run a speed test to see if your internet speeds have improved. You should experience better speeds.

Using a VPN can effectively bypass Cox throttling and enjoy smoother and faster internet speeds. However, choosing a VPN with all the reliable features needed to bypass throttling issues is crucial. 

Best VPNs that help bypass Cox throttling issues

Since throttling is a prevalent issue, several VPNs claim to be the best at helping users to bypass it. Therefore, the best VPNs, we have tried and tested several VPNs to come up with our list of reliable VPNs:

NordVPN 

NordVPN is the top choice for bypassing Cox throttling, owing to its impressive speed, security, and expansive server network. The VPN offers specific features tailored for this purpose, such as SmartPlay, Obfuscated servers, and the proprietary NordLynx protocol renowned for its speed, which can help you bypass Cox throttling. The VPN also offers robust encryption through the AES encryption ciphers and ensures privacy through a strict no-logs policy. 

Express VPN 

ExpressVPN is another reliable VPN to help bypass Cox throttling due to its impressive features. With a vast network of high-speed servers in numerous locations worldwide, ExpressVPN allows users to select servers strategically, minimizing the impact of throttling. Its robust encryption protocols ensure data privacy and security, while its no-logs policy ensures your online activities remain private. ExpressVPN has several other features that ensure a safe and reliable online experience, including obfuscated server technology, encrypted DNS, and the proprietary Lightway protocol designed to provide lightning-fast speeds.

Surfshark VPN 

Surfshark VPN is well-reputed as one of the fastest VPNs available. The VPN uses military-grade AES-256 encryption and has a strict no-logs policy that helps ensure robust privacy and security for its users. Apart from that, it also has several exceptional features that help bypass ISP throttling issues, such as obfuscated servers, unlimited bandwidth, and the WireGuard protocol, which is known for its speed and allows bypass throttling, ensuring smooth and uninterrupted internet usage.

CyberGhost VPN 

CyberGhost VPN stands out as a reliable VPN for bypassing Cox throttling. The VPN offers several exceptional features that help bypass throttling, such as robust AES-256 encryption, a strict no-logs policy, and secure algorithms that prevent ISP snooping and throttling. The VPN also has a vast server network, which helps evade any network congestion and ensures super-fast speeds. 

Can I use a free VPN to bypass Cox throttling?

Using a free VPN to bypass Cox throttling might sound reliable, but it has numerous drawbacks. One of the major issues with free VPNs is the security and privacy concerns. Free VPNs often have poor practices, such as logging user activity and selling data to advertisers. Apart from that, free VPNs also offer poor encryption, which is inadequate to hide your activity from your ISPs and thus fails to help you bypass throttling. 

Moreover, free VPNs typically suffer from slow speeds because many users share the same servers, which can hinder streaming and online gaming. Additionally, they often come with limited features like data caps and restricted server locations, making it challenging to find a server that offers proximity and speed. 

Therefore, to ensure robust privacy and security, using paid VPNs with reliable features and secure encryption is crucial. 

Final Words 

Throttling is a significant issue that can lead to a disastrous online experience. Although there are several ways to bypass throttling, using the most reliable option, such as a VPN, is crucial. VPN services offer several advantages, including robust security and privacy features and faster speed.

If you are on a tight budget, consider using a proxy server or encrypting your DNS servers. However, it is essential to note that these methods are not as reliable as a VPN service and may not be able to bypass all types of Cox throttling.

FAQ’s About Cox Throttling