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The BT Broadband Speed Test (or Performance Tester) will help you to diagnose the cause of speed problems.
1. Before you begin
You'll need to install Java, otherwise the Speed tester won't work - download a copy here
To make sure you get accurate results from the test, you should:
- Close all other browser windows and temporarily disable your firewall and antivirus software (remember to re-enable them when you're finished testing)
- Shut down as many programs as you can (the available processing power of your computer can affect test results, so the less it's doing the better)
- Switch off any other computers, consoles or devices that connect to your router (anything connected to your router can use a portion of your connection bandwidth, which can affect test results)
If you normally connect wirelessly, it's best to switch to a wired (Ethernet) connection before running the test. This will help you to rule out/confirm your wireless connection as a source of the problem.
If you're new to Plusnet (or broadband), please wait until your service has been active for 10 days before following the instructions on this page. During this time your speed can change so the test results may not be entirely accurate.
- Read How to get the best broadband speed to find out how to get the best out of your broadband service
- Read more about what happens during the first 10 days of service in Broadband speed - the basics
2. Running the test and interpreting the results
To get started, open a web browser (e.g. Internet Explorer, Safari or Firefox) and go to www.speedtester.bt.com
Follow the directions on screen to start running the test.
Once the test has finished, you'll see several figures and stats that represent your speed and broadband service. In order of importance, the figures you'll see are:
- DSL Connection Rate (DOWNSTREAM): the speed of connection between your property and the telephone exchange - this should be close to the estimated speed for your line
- IP Profile: the fastest speed you can currently get whilst also receiving a stable connection - this should be just under your DSL Connection rate
- Download Speed: the actual speed you're downloading at - this should be close to but never higher than the current IP Profile
3. How to report a problem
To report a problem with your speed, we'll need you to run at least three separate tests over the course of a day. One of these tests should be completed between midnight - 4pm, to determine whether slow speeds are the result of contention or other factors. Make sure you note the results of each test.
We also advise checking through our Broadband speed faults troubleshooting guide, as you may be able to fix the problem yourself.
Once you've done the above, use the Broadband Troubleshooter to report the problem.
[Top]Page last updated 3rd April 2012
