Non-Technical Guide to Finding Network Bottlenecks

And how to fix….

We’ve all been there: one minute everything is running smoothly, and the next, websites won’t load and your file uploads crawl along like dial-up.

At home, that’s just annoying—usually a quick router reboot does the trick. But at work, slow internet or network bottlenecks can grind productivity to a halt and cut into your company’s bottom line.

Let’s take a look—without the tech jargon—at what causes these slowdowns and how to spot them before they cost you time and money.

What Is a Network Bottleneck?

A network bottleneck is anything that slows or limits the flow of data. Think of your network like a system of water pipes: if there’s a clog or a narrow section somewhere, water pressure drops for everyone downstream.

The same happens with your data. Sometimes the blockage is outside your office—like a problem with your internet service provider (ISP). Other times, it’s inside your own network: outdated equipment, overloaded hardware, or a device hogging too much bandwidth.

Whatever the cause, finding where that “clog” lives is the first step toward fixing it.

7 Common Causes of Network Bottlenecks

1. Firewall Capacity

Firewalls protect your network by filtering traffic in and out—but they also have limits.

If your firewall isn’t rated to handle the amount of data your business uses, it becomes a choke point. Even with plenty of bandwidth from your ISP, your speeds will crawl if the firewall can’t keep up.

Upgrading to a higher-throughput model can make an instant difference.

2. Outdated Network Switches

If your building’s IT setup hasn’t been refreshed in years, your network switches may be stuck at older 10/100 Mbps speeds.

That’s like connecting a garden hose to a fire hydrant—you’ll never get the full flow.

Old ports can also degrade over time, slowing things further. Replacing outdated switches is one of the easiest ways to restore network performance.

3. Old or Underrated Modems

Your modem is another potential bottleneck. 

Even if you’re paying for gigabit internet, you’ll never see those speeds if your modem can’t handle them.

Check the model’s rated throughput against your internet plan. If your plan is faster, it’s time for an upgrade—an inexpensive but effective fix.

4. Low-Grade or Damaged Cabling

Not all Ethernet cables are created equal. 

Older Cat5 or Cat5e cabling maxes out at lower speeds, while Cat6 or Cat6a supports modern gigabit and multigigabit traffic.

Since cables look nearly identical, you might need help identifying what’s currently installed—especially in older buildings.

5. Slow VoIP Phone Pass-Through Ports

In many offices, the network cable runs through your VoIP phone before reaching your computer.

If that phone’s pass-through port is rated for lower speeds than your connection, it can throttle performance—especially with bargain-brand handsets.

Checking those port ratings can quickly reveal the culprit.

6. LAN Overload

Large offices sometimes overload their local area network (LAN) by connecting too many devices to one segment.

The solution is to break the network into smaller, more manageable sub-networks—just like how neighborhoods connect to main water lines instead of one city-wide pipe.

This segmentation improves performance and adds resiliency.

7. Outdated Wi-Fi Access Points

Wi-Fi is the usual suspect. It’s inherently slower and less reliable than wired connections—and older access points weren’t designed for today’s internet speeds or number of connected devices.

Even worse, an old laptop or smartphone can drag down the performance of everyone else on the same access point.

Modern, managed Wi-Fi systems like Ubiquiti can help balance and optimize traffic automatically.

We’re Here to Help

Finding a network bottleneck doesn’t always require deep technical knowledge—but fixing it might.

If your office network feels sluggish and you’re not sure why, our team at RIATA Technologies can pinpoint the cause and implement the right solution—whether that’s a hardware upgrade, configuration fix, or full network refresh.

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Contact RIATA today to schedule a consultation and get your business back up to speed.

About the Author:Tommy Wald is the CEO of RIATA Technologies, a Managed IT Services Provider headquartered in Austin, TX. He can be reached at TWald@RiataTechnologies.com or (737) 249-9697.