Experiencing Slow Internet on Windows 10? Here’s How to Fix It
A slow internet connection on Windows 10 can be incredibly frustrating, especially when you rely on it for work, streaming, gaming, or browsing. If your internet speed is lagging, several factors could be at play, including software issues, network congestion, or hardware limitations. Below, we explore multiple ways to diagnose and fix slow internet problems on Windows 10.
1. RESTART YOUR ROUTER AND COMPUTER
One of the simplest fixes for slow internet is restarting your router and computer. This can clear minor bugs and refresh your connection to your internet service provider (ISP).
- Turn off your router and unplug it from the power source.
- Wait for about 30 seconds.
- Plug the router back in and turn it on.
- Restart your computer and check if the speed improves.
2. CHECK YOUR INTERNET SPEED
Before troubleshooting further, test your actual internet speed to see if you’re getting what you pay for.
- Visit a speed test website like Speedtest.net or Fast.com.
- Compare the results to your ISP’s advertised speeds.
- If your speed is significantly lower, contact your ISP to check for service disruptions.
3. DISABLE BACKGROUND APPLICATIONS USING INTERNET BANDWIDTH
Certain applications consume internet bandwidth in the background, which can slow down your connection.
- Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
- Click on the Network column to sort applications by bandwidth usage.
- Close unnecessary applications that are consuming a lot of bandwidth.
4. UPDATE YOUR NETWORK DRIVERS
Outdated network drivers can lead to slow or unstable internet connections.
- Press Win + X and select Device Manager.
- Expand Network adapters.
- Right-click your network adapter and choose Update driver.
- Select Search automatically for drivers and install any available updates.
5. DISABLE METERED CONNECTION
If Windows 10 is set to a metered connection, it may restrict internet speed to save data.
- Go to Settings > Network & Internet > Wi-Fi.
- Click on your connected network.
- Scroll down and ensure Set as metered connection is turned off.
6. RESET NETWORK SETTINGS
Resetting your network settings can resolve misconfigurations and improve your internet speed.
- Open Settings > Network & Internet > Status.
- Scroll down and click Network reset.
- Confirm and restart your computer.
7. DISABLE WINDOWS AUTO-UPDATES TEMPORARILY
Windows updates can consume bandwidth in the background.
- Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update.
- Click Pause updates for 7 days.
- Resume updates later when you have a faster connection.
8. CHANGE YOUR DNS SETTINGS
Switching to a faster DNS server can improve browsing speeds.
- Open Control Panel > Network and Sharing Center.
- Click on Change adapter settings.
- Right-click your active network connection and select Properties.
- Select Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) and click Properties.
- Choose Use the following DNS server addresses and enter:
- Preferred DNS server: 8.8.8.8
- Alternate DNS server: 8.8.4.4 (Google DNS)
- Click OK and restart your internet connection.
9. TURN OFF LARGE SEND OFFLOAD (LSO)
LSO can slow down your internet speed by overloading your network adapter.
- Press Win + X and select Device Manager.
- Expand Network adapters.
- Right-click your adapter and choose Properties.
- Navigate to the Advanced tab and find Large Send Offload (LSO).
- Set it to Disabled and click OK.
10. CHECK FOR MALWARE OR VIRUSES
Malware infections can consume bandwidth and slow down your connection.
- Open Windows Security.
- Click Virus & threat protection.
- Run a full system scan and remove any detected threats.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Slow internet on Windows 10 can stem from various factors, but the solutions above should help restore your speed. If none of these fixes work, consider contacting your ISP to check for network congestion or upgrading your internet plan. Let us know which method worked best for you!