How To Solve Slow Internet on Windows 10?

Sun-Mar-2024
17

A slow internet connection can be incredibly frustrating. But fear not, there are ways to diagnose and fix the issue on your Windows 10 machine! This guide will equip you with several methods to get your internet back up to speed.

1. Test Your Internet Speed:

Before diving into fixes, it’s important to establish a baseline. Visit an internet speed test website (https://www.speedtest.net/) and run a test. This will give you an idea of your actual download and upload speeds compared to your internet plan.

2. Identify the Culprit:

  • Router Restart: Sometimes, a simple restart of your router and modem can resolve temporary glitches. Unplug them for a minute, then plug them back in and wait for them to reboot completely.
  • Wireless vs. Wired: If you’re using Wi-Fi, try connecting your computer directly to the router with an ethernet cable. This can help identify if the issue lies with the Wi-Fi connection.

3. Check for Bandwidth Hogs:

Certain applications can consume a significant amount of bandwidth, slowing down your internet for other tasks.

  • Task Manager: Open Task Manager (press Ctrl + Shift + Esc). Click the “Network” tab. Here, you can see which applications are using the most internet bandwidth. Close any unnecessary bandwidth-hungry applications.

4. Disable Peer-to-Peer (P2P) Updates:

Windows 10 can update itself and other devices on your network through P2P. While helpful, it can also eat up bandwidth.

  • Disable P2P Updates: Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update. Click on “Advanced options”. Under “Delivery Optimization”, turn off the toggle switch for “Download updates from other PCs”.

5. Adjust Network Bandwidth Allocation (Windows 10 Pro Only):

This feature allows you to prioritize bandwidth for specific applications (Windows 10 Pro only).

  • Quality of Service (QoS) Packet Scheduler: Search for “gpedit.msc” and press Enter (This opens the Group Policy Editor, not available in Windows 10 Home). Navigate to Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Network > QoS Packet Scheduler. Double-click on “Limit reservable bandwidth” and set the “Bandwidth limit” to 0% (or a small value) to prioritize foreground applications.

6. Update Network Drivers:

Outdated network drivers can cause performance issues.

  • Device Manager: Press Start and type “device manager”. Click on Device Manager. Expand “Network adapters”. Right-click on your network adapter and select “Update driver”. Choose “Search automatically for updated driver software” to let Windows search for updates.

7. Reset Network Settings:

If none of the above solutions work, resetting your network settings can sometimes resolve connectivity issues.

  • Reset Network Settings: Go to Settings > Network & Internet > Status. Scroll down and click on “Network reset”. Click “Reset now” and confirm by clicking “Yes”. This will reset your network adapter settings, Wi-Fi passwords, and other network configurations to their defaults.

8. Contact Your Internet Service Provider (ISP):

If you’ve exhausted all the above options and your internet speed remains slow, it might be an issue with your internet service provider (ISP). Contact your ISP to report the issue and see if there are any problems on their end.

By systematically following these steps, you should be able to identify the cause of your slow internet connection on Windows 10 and get things running smoothly again. If you’re unsure about any steps or the problem persists, consider consulting a computer technician for further assistance.