Why is Verizon’s Data Service So Slow?

There may be a few reasons your Verizon data isn’t up to speed, including an overloaded connection, bad signal, or outside obstacles, and they can all be fixed with the right steps.

I am a long-time tech user who has years of experience working with different technologies, including phones of all types. My personal knowledge of the devices, alongside plenty of research on Verizon, gave me the ability to outline the below topics.

This guide covers Verizon’s data service. It does so by looking at what the company offers, why its service may not always run at full speed, as well as what you can do to get it back to full operation. 

Key Takeaways

  • While Verizon offers strong, fast speeds their service may dip from time to time due to your location, overloaded networks, or unforeseen environmental factors.
  • There are several ways to fix slow data on a Verizon network, including restarting your device and clearing your cache. 
  • Most Verizon data slowdowns don’t last too long, but you can always switch over to WiFi if you need better speeds right away.

Verizon’s Reliable Service

Internet data is one of the best tools of the modern world. It can also be incredibly annoying if it’s too slow or not working properly. Ideally, your phone network will work as it’s supposed to at all times, but that’s rarely the case. Things slow down every now and then.

For the most part, Verizon is a reliable carrier. They have strong coverage all around the world, come with quality service, and their data speeds compare well to most of the market. Even so, they are subject to slow downs like everyone else.

If they do, customers without unlimited data can always enable Safety Mode to prevent any unforeseen overages. Those with no data limits, however, can be a bit more proactive in both understanding and fixing the situation.

Understanding Slow Data: The Causes

If your Verizon data is unusually slow, you first want to identify the problem before you go about fixing it. There are quite a few reasons your service may not be working at top speed, and the first of those is simply that the signal could be blocked.

Sometimes, due to circumstances outside of Verizon’s control, their signal gets interfered with by obstacles such as buildings, trees, or electronics. If you suspect your setting is the reason for slow data, simply moving around should do the trick.

Another common reason Verizon’s data slows down is due to high traffic. If a lot of people in one area attempt to access the network at one time, it leads to issues with both internet and data speeds.

Of course, there are also unexpected network events that can impact your service. When such incidents occur, Verizon will use fail-safes to give service to their customers. That connection, while usable, is much worse than normal data.

Though it’s not as common, you may also be at fault. If your cache is full, or if you have too many active apps, you may be overloading your phone’s capacity. That can also negatively impact the rate at which your data comes through.

Safety mode, as mentioned above, is a great way to prevent overages. However, if you leave it on when you have data it may cause significant slow downs as well. It’s always best to check it when you’re experiencing issues.

Ways to Improve Slow Mobile Data

Having a data slow down is quite frustrating, especially if you’re in a situation where you need it right away. Luckily, there are a few ways that you can kick your data back into high gear if your phone is not loading or running on the slow side.

First, restart your phone. That’s the easiest solution in any situation, and the most straightforward. It’s not always the best fix, but if you’re having any issues with your data it’s a good first step.

If the restarting doesn’t work, you can always reset your network settings or put your phone (and then take it out of) airplane mode. Both of these solutions reconfigure your internet and give it a boost that may bring it back to its normal state.

As mentioned above, it’s a good idea to turn off any inactive background apps or programs you aren’t using. Simply having your phone do less is always a good way to ensure it has enough juice to work with your connection.

Finding a WiFi connection is another option. There are many reasons that data doesn’t come through at top speed. If you can’t figure it out or have no easy fix, jumping onto WiFi will allow you to access the internet until your data returns.

FAQs

These are some of the most asked questions surrounding Verizon’s data and their policies.

Why Can’t I Use the Internet While on My Verizon Phone?

This is usually due to the fact that you don’t have “advanced calling” enabled on your device. If you go to settings → cellular → enable LTE → voice and data and then restart your phone you’ll have no issues surfing the web and talking at the same time.

Does Verizon Throttle Data On Unlimited Plans?

Yes. Though it’s not a terribly common occurrence, Verizon can throttle certain wireless plans depending on their data usage and tier. Most of the time, cheaper plans tend to be throttled first, with the others going next in ascending order.

How Do I Know If Verizon is Down?

You can also use a data checking website to see if Verizon is down in your area. If you want to go directly to the source, however, you can call Verizon directly or you can enter the “Network outage” in the official Verizon website chat option.

Final Words

Verizon is a great service, but that doesn’t mean they’re perfect. Slow downs happen, and they can be quite frustrating. Using the above guide to both identify and fix such issues will make your mobile experience that much more enjoyable.

Do you have Verizon? What’s your experience with their service? Let us know by commenting below!

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