> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://knowledgebase.newyorkcityservers.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Check Connection Strength

> How to locate the connection quality indicator on your remote desktop session to diagnose slow connections.

If your VPS feels slow or laggy, the issue may be related to network quality between your device and the server. Your remote desktop session includes a built-in connection strength indicator that can help diagnose this.

## Locate the Signal Icon

When connected to your VPS, look at the connection bar at the top of your remote desktop window. You will see a small **signal icon** that displays your current connection quality.

<img src="https://mintcdn.com/greenhilltechnologiesinc/x3uCKzktRoXBOUrJ/images/troubleshooting/rdp-connection-strength.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=x3uCKzktRoXBOUrJ&q=85&s=01bee93a76ebd1c8eabd2b68e1787eef" alt="Connection Strength Icon" width="631" height="90" data-path="images/troubleshooting/rdp-connection-strength.png" />

The signal icon works similarly to a Wi-Fi indicator — more bars means a stronger, more stable connection.

## What the Signal Strength Means

| Signal            | Meaning                                                            |
| ----------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------ |
| **Full bars**     | Strong connection — the VPS should feel responsive                 |
| **Partial bars**  | Moderate connection — you may notice slight lag                    |
| **Low / no bars** | Weak connection — expect noticeable delay and sluggish performance |

## What To Do If Signal Is Low

A weak signal indicates network issues between your device and the VPS. Try the following:

* **Switch to a wired connection** — Wi-Fi can introduce latency and packet loss
* **Close bandwidth-heavy applications** — downloads, streaming, or video calls on your local device can affect the connection
* **Try a different network** — if you are on a public or congested network, switching may help
* **Consider your distance to the server** — if you are located far from your VPS location, higher latency is expected. You may want to [switch to a closer server location](/management/change-vps-location) if one is available
* **Reconnect** — disconnect and reconnect to the VPS to establish a fresh session

<Note>
  If the signal shows full bars but the VPS still feels slow, the issue is likely on the VPS itself rather than the network. Check your [CPU and RAM usage](/guides/monitor-cpu-ram-usage) to see if the server is under heavy load.
</Note>

***

## Contact Support

If you continue to experience slow performance after following the steps above, please [contact support](mailto:support@newyorkcityservers.com) with a screenshot of your signal strength and we'll help diagnose the issue.