Test your internet speed for streaming
Last updated July 24, 2026
A stable upload speed is the most important part of a smooth live stream. This article shows you how to test it and what the results mean for ApexStream.
Run a speed test
- Use a wired connection if possible.
- Close any apps that use the internet, especially video calls, downloads, or cloud backups.
- Visit a speed-test site such as fast.com or speedtest.net.
- Run the test two or three times and note the upload speed.
What upload speed you need
| Stream quality | Recommended upload speed |
|---|---|
| 720p | At least 5 Mbps |
| 1080p | At least 8–10 Mbps |
| 4K | At least 25–35 Mbps |
Your upload speed should be higher than the bitrate you plan to stream at. As a rule, leave 30–50 percent of headroom above your stream bitrate.
What to do if your speed is too low
- Lower your stream resolution or bitrate in your encoder or Web Studio settings.
- Switch from Wi-Fi to Ethernet.
- Ask others on your network to pause high-bandwidth activities.
- Move closer to your router if Ethernet is not an option.
Good to know: ApexStream fans your stream out to all destinations on the server side, so your upload bandwidth is not multiplied by the number of platforms you stream to.