How to Upgrade Spectrum Internet

Are you looking to pump up the speed of your Spectrum internet connection? You’ve come to the right place. Slow internet can be super frustrating, especially when you’re trying to stream HD shows, play online games, or have multiple devices connected at once. Thankfully, Spectrum makes it easy to check your current speeds, see if you qualify for an upgrade, and bump yourself up to a faster plan.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk through everything you need to know to upgrade your Spectrum internet and unleash blazing fast speeds. We’ll start with instructions for running a Spectrum speed test to check your current connectivity. Then, we’ll explain how you can determine if you’re eligible for a Spectrum upgrade based on your location and current plan. Next, we’ll provide step-by-step instructions for upgrading online through Spectrum’s website or by chatting with a Spectrum agent. We’ll also offer some troubleshooting tips in case you run into any hiccups with your upgraded connection.

By the end, you’ll have lightning fast Spectrum internet speeds giving you the bandwidth you need for streaming, gaming, and all your connected devices. So rev up your modem – it’s time to upgrade!

Determine Your Current Internet Speed

Before upgrading your Spectrum internet, it’s important to determine your current internet speeds. This allows you to see exactly how fast (or slow) your current Spectrum plan is performing. It also gives you a baseline to compare against once you do upgrade your Spectrum internet speeds.

Here are a few easy ways to test the speeds you are currently getting with your Spectrum internet service.

Use Spectrum’s Internet Speed Test Tool

The easiest way to test your Spectrum internet speeds is to use Spectrum’s own internet speed test tool on their website. Here’s how:

1. Go to Spectrum’s speed test page.
2. If you’re not already signed into your Spectrum account, you’ll be prompted to sign in.
3. Click the “Start Testing” button. This will initiate the speed test.
4. The speed test will first run a ping test, then download and upload speed tests.
5. Once completed, your results will show your Ping (latency), Download speed, and Upload speed.

This speed test connects directly to Spectrum’s servers, giving you an accurate measure of the internet speeds Spectrum is providing to your location.

Use an Online Speed Test Service

Third party online speed tests can also give you a measure of your current Spectrum internet speeds. Sites like SpeedTest.net and Fast.com are reputable options.

To test your speeds, simply go to one of these sites and click the button to begin the speed test. It will first test your ping, then download and upload speeds.

The benefit of third party speed tests is you get a measure of internet performance from an outside perspective. However, your results can vary depending on current traffic and connectivity. For the most precise test of Spectrum’s speeds, use their own tool.

Use the Speed Test in Your Router’s Admin Panel

Many modern routers have built in speed tests you can access from the router’s admin panel. To access it:

1. Login to your router’s admin panel. (The default URL is usually http://192.168.1.1 or http://192.168.0.1. Use the username/password on your router’s label).
2. Look for a “Speed Test” option. On some routers, this is under the “Internet” or “Connection” section.
3. Run the speed test and it will check Ping, download and upload from within your network.

This can give you a measure of Spectrum’s performance from the perspective of your router. Just keep in mind any other traffic on your network can impact the results.

No matter how you decide to test, running a few speed tests helps you confirm the speeds you’re currently getting with your Spectrum service. With this data, you can determine if it makes sense to upgrade.

Check If You Are Eligible For An Upgrade

Once you have determined your current Spectrum internet speeds, the next step is checking if you can get an upgraded internet plan. Spectrum has certain requirements to determine if your address is eligible for faster internet tiers.

Here are the key factors that determine your eligibility for upgraded Spectrum internet plans:

Your Address – Spectrum can only offer certain internet tiers and speeds based on infrastructure servicing your address. Some areas only have older networks that can’t deliver higher speed plans.

Your Current Plan – If you currently have an older or legacy Spectrum plan, you may be eligible for upgraded plans not available when you first signed up.

Bandwidth Usage – Spectrum may limit plan upgrades if you have very high bandwidth usage each month. This is to ensure other customers maintain speed.

Connecting Equipment – To get speeds above 200Mbps, Spectrum requires you use at least a DOCSIS 3.0 modem. Your router should also have Gigabit Ethernet ports to get full speed.

To check what Spectrum plans are available for upgrade at your address:

1. Go to the Spectrum pricing page and enter your ZIP code.
2. Click “Change services” for your current internet plan.
3. You’ll see any upgrade offers available, along with the new pricing.
4. If upgrades are unavailable, you may have to switch to a completely new plan.

Some areas only allow certain tiers like 100 or 200 Mbps plans, while others offer upgrades up to 500 Mbps or even 1 Gbps.

If you currently rent a modem from Spectrum, scheduling a free modem swap can be needed to upgrade above 200 Mbps. Check with a Spectrum agent to see if a new modem is required.

Upgrading your router equipment is also recommended if your current hardware is more than 2-3 years old. Newer routers have faster Gigabit WAN ports and wireless specs to take advantage of upgraded Spectrum speeds.

Upgrade Your Internet Speed Online

If your address is eligible, Spectrum makes it easy to upgrade your internet speeds through your online account. Here are the steps to upgrade online:

1. Login – First, login to your Spectrum account online at https://spectrum.net/accounts/login.
2. Account Overview – From your Spectrum account overview, find the “Change services” link next to your internet service.

3. View Upgrade Offers – This will show any upgrade offers available for your address. Faster speed plans will have their pricing and speeds displayed.
4. Select Your New Plan – Choose the upgraded internet plan you want and click “Continue”. Review the details to make sure you’ve selected the correct upgraded plan.
5. Schedule Install Date – Spectrum will confirm if a technician visit is needed for your upgrade installation. If so, select your preferred install date and time window.
6. Confirm Upgrade – Review your order summary and then click “Place Your Order” to confirm the upgrade purchase.

And that’s it! Spectrum will send a confirmation email with your new monthly price and upgrade installation details. On your scheduled date, you can start enjoying your faster internet speeds.

The easiest way is online, but you can also call Spectrum Sales at 1-833-697-7328 and upgrade over the phone if you don’t have a Spectrum account.

Upgrade Your Internet Speed by Chatting With Spectrum

If you need help determining the best Spectrum upgrade option for your needs, chatting with an agent online is useful. Here are some benefits to upgrading via Spectrum chat:

• Get recommendations on the right speed tier for your household based on your device usage, number of users, and bandwidth needs.
• Find out if any limited time promos or discounts are available that the website may not show.
• Get pre-qualified for upgrades without affecting your current service.
• Confirm if a technician visit is required and schedule your install appointment.
• Ask any questions about expected speeds, equipment requirements, etc.

To start a chat session and upgrade with a Spectrum agent:

1. Go to Spectrum’s support chat page.
2. Click the “Chat with us” button on the right.
3. You’ll be connected with the next available agent. Let them know you want to check upgrade eligibility.
4. They can check availability, provide quotes, and schedule your upgrade install.
5. When ready, provide account details to place the upgrade order with the agent.

Some users feel more comfortable having a real-time conversation to discuss options and make their upgrade decision. Chatting with Spectrum provides the benefit of human guidance when upgrading internet speeds.

Pros	Cons
Get personalized advice	Wait times to chat can be long during busy hours
Ask questions and clarify details	Harder to share links/info compared to online self-service
Confirm installation requirements	Agents may try to upsell additional services
Schedule installation appointment	Less discount offers compared to online upgrades
Quickly resolve any issues

Live chat is great if you want that human touch when ordering your Spectrum speed upgrade. But for many, the simplicity of upgrading online is preferable.

Troubleshoot Your Internet Speed

After you upgrade your Spectrum internet speeds, it’s important to verify you’re getting the faster performance you’re paying for. Here are some steps to troubleshoot your upgraded Spectrum internet if speeds seem slower than expected:

Restart your equipment – After a speed upgrade, restart your modem, router, and devices to clear any cached connection settings. Unplug each for 30 seconds before powering back on.

Test wired speeds – Use a computer connected directly to the modem via Ethernet cable. This gives accurate results not limited by WiFi. Compare to your earlier speed tests.

Eliminate interference – Make sure your modem and router aren’t blocked by objects. Wireless interference can impact speeds, so scan WiFi channels and switch to a less crowded one.

Contact Spectrum support – If speeds are still slow after troubleshooting your equipment, contact Spectrum so they can test signal levels and provisioning.

Check your data usage – Spectrum may throttle speeds if you exceed your data cap for the month. Temporarily reduce usage like streaming video to see if normal speeds are restored.

Upgrade your router – If your router is outdated, upgrading to a newer model with Gigabit ports ensures your router isn’t the bottleneck.

Check connected devices – Very old devices can’t get faster speeds. Make sure every device accessing the upgraded speeds has Gigabit Ethernet or the latest WiFi spec.

Run a new speed test after troubleshooting. If your upgraded speeds are still slower than expected, keep contacting Spectrum support until they resolve the issue. Be patient but persistent, since you are paying for premium internet service.

Getting the full benefit of a Spectrum internet upgrade requires optimizing your home network environment and equipment configurations. But with the right troubleshooting steps, you can fix any issues holding back your maximum speeds.

Conclusion

That wraps up this comprehensive guide on upgrading your Spectrum internet service. Here are the key tips we covered:

• Run a speed test to determine your current Spectrum internet speeds using their website, an online speed test service, or your router.
• Check eligibility for Spectrum upgrade plans available at your address by checking their website or asking support.
• Upgrade online through your Spectrum account by selecting your new plan, scheduling install, and confirming the order.
• Chat with a Spectrum agent to discuss the best upgrades for your needs and get any install questions answered.
• After upgrading, troubleshoot by restarting equipment, directly connecting devices, reducing interference, contacting support, inspecting data usage, upgrading hardware, and testing connected devices.

With Spectrum serving over 31 million internet subscribers, they have the scale and infrastructure to deliver some seriously fast speeds. Follow this guide and you’ll be streaming, surfing, and downloading at new levels in no time.

We hope this was helpful. Let us know if you have any other questions as you upgrade your Spectrum internet speeds. Enjoy those lightning fast downloads!

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How can I upgrade my Spectrum internet speed?

A: You can upgrade your Spectrum internet speed through your online account or by chatting with Spectrum.

Q: How do I check my current internet speed?

A: You can use the Spectrum speed test to determine whether your internet is functioning at the speed it should be.

Q: How do I know if I am eligible for an internet speed upgrade?

A: Increased speeds are available for Spectrum users in select regions. Log in to your online account and click the billing tab to find out if you qualify.

Q: Can I upgrade my internet speed for just an additional $10?

A: It depends on your current plan and the available options in your region. Check with Spectrum to see if this is possible.

Q: What factors can cause slow upload speeds?

A: Slow upload speeds can be caused by internet traffic, the number of devices connected to your home WiFi network, and bandwidth consumption during activities like video calls and HD streaming.

Q: What is the difference between Spectrum Internet Ultra and Spectrum Internet Gig?

A: Spectrum Internet Ultra offers speeds up to 500 Mbps, while Spectrum Internet Gig offers speeds up to 1 Gbps.

Q: Does Spectrum Internet have data caps?

A: No, Spectrum Internet does not have data caps.

Q: What is Spectrum Advanced WiFi?

A: Spectrum Advanced WiFi is a state-of-the-art technology that offers speed, security, and simplified management for your home WiFi network.

Q: How can I troubleshoot my Spectrum internet speed?

A: If your internet speed is not functioning at the speed it should be, you may have some troubleshooting to do either on your own or with a Spectrum representative to get your internet back up to its best working speed.

Q: Can I save money on my Spectrum internet service?

A: You may be eligible for a program that will allow you to save up to $30 a month on your internet service. Check with Spectrum to see if you qualify.