Are websites slow or is it just one network?
Most websites are served by a handful of big networks. If only some sites are slow or won't load, one of those networks may be badly routed from your provider. Weak Wi-Fi or a busy line slows every network alike, so comparing them tells you which it is.
Website network check
Takes about ten seconds. Turn off any VPN first, or it tests the VPN's route instead of yours.
One service down for everyone? Try Is it down?. Everything slow? Run the Lag Check to see if it's Wi-Fi or lag under load.
How it works
Most websites are delivered by a handful of networks: Cloudflare, Google, Akamai, Fastly, Amazon CloudFront and Microsoft. The check times a small request to each from your browser. Weak Wi-Fi or a busy line slows all of them alike; one that is much slower than the rest, or doesn't answer, points to a routing problem between your provider and that network.
Reading your result
- All normal
- Your route to the big networks is fine. If one site is still slow, the problem is likely that site.
- One slow or no answer
- Sites on that network will be slow for you. It's usually a peering or routing problem at your provider; a different DNS or a VPN can work around it while they fix it.
- All slow
- The cause is closer to you: Wi-Fi, a busy line or the device. Run the Lag Check.
Questions
Why do some websites load slowly and others don't?
They're served by different networks, and your provider may route one of them badly. This check shows which. If it's everything, run the Lag Check.
Can changing DNS fix slow websites?
Sometimes: DNS picks which server you're sent to, and a slow or distant resolver adds a delay to every new site. See switch DNS resolver.