Why Is My Upload Speed Slower Than Download

Because a typical internet user does far more downloading (streaming and browsing) than uploading (sharing content online), many ISPs have traditionally offered a higher download rate and a lower upload rate. This type of connection is known as an asymmetrical connection.

So, how slow is too slow when it comes to upload speeds? Unfortunately, there is no straightforward answer. It depends on the number of devices connected to the internet, what you use it for, and the type of internet.

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It could be that your ISP is restricting your WiFi upload speeds or that you have reached your data limit. Perhaps you have signed up for a plan that does not meet your upload speed requirements. Asymmetric connections only allocate about 10% of the entire bandwidth to upload speeds.

Another reason why your internet upload speed is too slow might be viruses and other malware installed on your computer, router, or modem. It is getting increasingly hard to detect malware; spotty internet is just one of the many symptoms.

Using a Virtual Private Network (VPN) is common for those seeking online privacy and security. While VPNs are instrumental in encrypting data and hiding your online activities, they can sometimes inadvertently reduce your upload speeds.

The use of VPNs can impact upload speeds in several ways. The encryption process, essential for data security, can slow down data transmission. VPNs often route data through distant servers, introducing latency that can further reduce upload speed. Popular VPN servers might face congestion due to high user traffic, leading to decreased performance.

I recently upgraded to AT&T 5 gig service from 2 gig. I have a UDM SE and it seems like the download speeds are always slower than the upload speeds. For example, 3.33 Gbps down and 4.34 Gbps up. I've noticed too on my access points (U6-Pro) I tend to see 500 Mbps down and 700 Mbps up on my devices. In the end it's all plenty fast, just curious why it consistently shows slower download speeds than upload. I am currently using a MikroTik 6-Speed RJ-45 Module.

Your upload and download speeds will almost never match the maximum advertised speed of your connection. It's normal to only get 80-90% of the advertised maximum, and in the small print of your service provider's advertising you'll find that they only promise "up to" the advertised speed, not that you will always get that speed. This happens for several reasons. First, your connection may be shared with other people in your building or neighborhood, so if a lot of other people are using the Internet you may experience a slowdown. Second, servers may be busy uploading and downloading files for many different users, so they are unable to provide the maximum possible speed for your files. Finally, other network activity on your computer may slow down your transfer, since it must all share the same connection. If you try to transfer two files at the same time (in different transfer windows), each transfer will go slower because Fetch must split the network connection between them. Surfing the web or answering your email should only have a minor impact on transfer speeds.

Nevertheless, if you feel you are getting slower transfer speeds than normal, there are websites that you can use to test your connection speed. Your Internet service provider may have one, or you can try one such as the BroadbandReports.com speed test. If you are repeatedly getting transfer speeds much lower than the ones reported by a test, you should try transferring your files to a different server to see if they go faster; and if so, contact your main server's administrator to see if there is a problem.

I can try to disconnect the satellite to see if there is any change. But nothing has changed on the network (i.e. router/satellite locations, etc) except for noticed lower download speeds vs. upload speeds when connected to main router.

I have never had upload problems in the past until about a week ago, and to my knowledge, nothing changed on my computer. However I am a nomad, so my location changed. I got to a small village in France and I assumed it was the location. 5 days later I'm in Brighton UK with great high speed internet access and STILL next to no ability to upload anything. This is NOT good for my business and I'm panicking.

First thing we need to know... what is your upload speed supposed to be? Maybe the access you've been granted has some kind of upload cap enabled. Sounds like the guy you're getting the connection from might know how to do that. Maybe he inadvertently set your upload speed way too low. You can't get ahold of him to ask?

Unfortunately the owners of the home I'm at are on vacation (I'm a housesitter), so can't help too much with specifics, however he confirmed that he doesn't know why upload speed would be so compromised, so as a tech guy I assume he wouldn't have set a speed low as he needs it for his work as well. I'm guessing it's somehow my laptop. I've tried plugging directly into the Ethernet, and it doesn't improve speeds at all.

I've done the 3 tests you suggest (see attached) , but I can't do the power cycle and reboot until tomorrow (I'm in the UK), but I have done it previously and it hasn't made a difference.

I don't really understand step 6 in your guide, but I haven't clicked through the links yet. I'll do that first thing tomorrow.

If nothing shows up on your computer, try disconnecting every network device you have (mobiles, tablets, Internet connected set top boxes, etc.) and rerun the upload speed test on your PC. If the upload speed is much better, reconnect a device, wait a few minutes and rerun the upload test. Repeat for each device.

In your phone's web browser, go to testmy.net, then run the upload test. If the upload speed is much better on the phone, then the issue is likely a software issue on the computer (especially if you tested by both Ethernet and Wi-Fi).

If the upload speed on the mobile is also poor, the issue is with the home's Internet (try again with the laptop switched off to be sure). In this case, if your mobile has good 4G reception there and you have a large data allowance (e.g. 5GB or more), try running an upload test over its data connection from your laptop. Most phones have a hotspot feature (On Android it's Settings -> More -> Tethering & portable hotspot). Turn this on and connect your laptop to that Wi-Fi (check phone's screen for its Wi-Fi password). Then run an upload test. Turn off the hotspot feature afterwards or reconnect your laptop back to the home's Wi-Fi network.

However, Sean is a genius. I can't believe I didn't try my mobile upload speeds! Turns out...that's not doing to hot either! Only 688 kbps, whereas my host average shows up as 23.9 Mbps. The city average is only 2.5 Mbps, which is still way better than what I'm getting, but is "host" the internet provider that I'm connected to?

Yeah he is, that's why he has a special title here. That's a great suggestion, I'll get that worked into the guide. A quick comparison like this in this case tells us a lot. -- the idea to try it the other way, using your phone's hotspot to the laptop will also tell us a lot. Especially if your mobile internet is able to achieve a higher upload speed.

I tested my internet speed and I should have 70-80 Mbps download / 10-20 Mpbs upload. On Dropbox I've only been getting a dismal 1-3 kbps upload speed! I had one 80-megabyte file that was taking days to "sync" to Dropbox. I moved it to my Google Drive and it only took about minute to upload there. So it's really Dropbox that's the problem. I'm very annoyed because I've been relying on Dropbox as my primary syncing service and just renewed my subscription last April. If I can't use Dropbox properly due to the unbearably slow upload speed I'll have to move back to Google Drive.

Thank you for your response, @Lusil! I would like to update you that I tried using a VPN, and my Dropbox upload speed is back to normal. I suspect that my ISP might be throttling Dropbox traffic because my friend using the same ISP was also experiencing extremely slow service with Dropbox and also got their Dropbox upload speed back to normal when they turned on their VPN. So this is something you might want to suggest to other users experiencing similar.

@jojosimi @Charlene2 I was able to get back my normal Dropbox upload speed by using a VPN. It seems to be an ISP throttling issue for me. If you want to try using a VPN and need help choosing one, I found this comparison chart very honest and helpful:

Hi Lusil, thanks! Actually, I've had Google Drive off for a while now because I was relying primarily on Dropbox. I only turned on Google Drive precisely because I noticed that Dropbox was taking forever to upload even tiny text files, and I really needed to sync some files with my phone, so I turned on Google Drive to try comparing upload speed.

I am using TunnelBear as my VPN and I see no difference. I have 7GB across 5 files I need to upload with speeds as slow as 10kbps. I have a 120mbit download and 10mbit upload connection. At this point I'm debating cancelling my account. I'm not paying for this result.

My drop box sync speed on my mac pro is very very slow. i have ran a speed test on my network and i have 50mb download and 10mb upload speed. When i look at my drop box sync speed its at 4 or 5 kb. this is utterly useless. my syncs are like 3 hours long!! how can i get a better sync speed please help this is no good! e24fc04721