Almost everything you do on your Windows PC requires a fast and dependable internet connection, from gaming and web browsing to conference calls and streaming your favorite shows. This implies that, particularly if you have paid for a high-speed plan, there is nothing more annoying than having to put up with poor internet speeds.In addition to interfering with your regular activities, a slow internet connection can have a detrimental effect on communication, entertainment, and productivity.
Such troubles can be caused by a variety of circumstances, including wrong network settings, interference from adjacent devices, and even malware that consumes bandwidth in the background. Fortunately, these problems may typically be addressed with a little troubleshooting. There are a number of ways to improve your internet connection and increase the upload and download speeds on a Windows 10 or 11 PC so you can get the most out of your internet connection, whether for work or play. These include modifying your network settings, switching DNS servers, and getting rid of pointless background processes.
Connect via cable or switch to the 5GHz Wi-Fi band
The type of connection you use has a big impact on how fast your Windows device can access the internet. For instance, compared to Wi-Fi, wired Ethernet connections typically offer quicker and more reliable rates. This is owing to Ethernet’s ability to circumvent common Wi-Fi issues including device interference, distance-related signal loss, and obstructions like furniture or walls that weaken signals.In order to experience uninterrupted connectivity, particularly during bandwidth-intensive jobs, and to prevent high ping while gaming, if your router is close to your laptop or PC, think about utilizing an Ethernet cable.
Using the 5GHz Wi-Fi frequency can significantly increase speed if a cable connection isn’t feasible for you. The Quick Settings window on your Windows computer allows you to select your band. The majority of contemporary routers provide dual-band connectivity, providing both 2.4GHz and 5GHz possibilities. Compared to the 2.4GHz band, which is frequently shared by Bluetooth devices and household appliances, the 5GHz spectrum usually offers quicker data rates and is less crowded. Speeds are more dependable and steady as a result of the less interference. The only drawback is that the 5GHz band’s range is shorter than that of 2.4GHz, thus for best results, you might need to remain closer to the router.
Switch the DNS server and disable the metered connection.
Windows has a feature called a metered connection that helps you save data. This is especially helpful if you’re using your phone as a hotspot or have a limited data plan. It’s advised to turn off this option if data usage isn’t an issue, though, as it may slow down your internet. Go to the Network & internet tab in the Settings app to accomplish this. Next, choose between Ethernet and Wi-Fi as your connection type, and disable the “Metered connection” toggle.
Changing the DNS (Domain Name System) server on your computer is another efficient method to improve internet performance. domain loading delays may result from a slow or unstable DNS server, which is in charge of converting domain names into IP addresses. The browsing experience can be enhanced by moving to a quicker and more dependable DNS server, like Cloudflare DNS (1.1.1.1 and 1.0.0.1) or Google DNS (8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4). Here’s how to modify your Windows DNS server:
1 Press Windows + I to access the Settings app.
2 Switch to the Network & internet tab and click the Properties option in the right pane.
3 Select “Edit” by clicking on the “DNS server assignment.”
4 To choose Manual, click the drop-down option.
5 Turn on the IPv4 switch.
6 In the Preferred DNS and Alternate DNS columns, enter the primary and secondary DNS server addresses, accordingly.
7. Click the Save button to apply the changes.
Use background apps to manage internet usage
Your internet performance may be significantly impacted by having too many background programs, particularly if those apps use bandwidth for uploading files, syncing data, or downloading updates. Verifying the data use on Windows is one method of identifying such apps. This is how to accomplish that.
1 To launch the Settings app, press Windows + I.
2 In the Network & Internet menu, select “Advanced network settings.”
3 Click on Data use under More settings.
A list of programs and apps and their data usage may be found in this menu. To view data consumption for the previous seven or twenty-four hours, utilize the filter drop-down option located in the upper right corner. After you’ve determined which programs are consuming excessive amounts of bandwidth, you can manually terminate them. To avoid worrying about using the internet, you can also stop those programs from operating in the background.
For programs like Microsoft Store, you may prevent automatic updates by browsing to its settings menu. By changing its settings, OneDrive’s bandwidth usage can be restricted. Additionally, to stop Windows updates from using bandwidth when you’re not expecting them to, you can disable automatic updates on your computer.By following these steps, you may make sure that your internet connection is dedicated to the activities you’re doing right now, including streaming, gaming, and browsing.
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Turn off browser add-ons and delete browsing history
Your browsing experience can be substantially improved by using browser extensions, whether for personalization, privacy, or productivity. But badly made extensions might affect how well your browser works, which could cause your internet speed to decrease.
Try using your browser without any extensions in private browsing mode or incognito mode to see if your extensions are the source of slowdowns. It’s likely that one or more extensions are the source of the problem if you observe a noticeable speed increase. Think about turning off or eliminating troublesome extensions to fix this. By clicking the three-dot menu button and choosing Extensions from the list, you may manage your extensions in browsers like Chrome, Edge, or Firefox. Any extensions you no longer require can then be disabled or removed.
Apart from controlling extensions, you should also delete the cookies and cache in your browser. Websites may load slowly as a result of cached files and saved data building up and clogging your browser over time. In Chrome or Edge, use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl + Shift + Delete to bring up the “Clear browsing data” menu, which will allow you to erase your browser’s cache and cookies. Select “All time” from the drop-down menu in the panel. Click “Cookies and other site data” and then “Cached images and files.” Lastly, to eliminate the superfluous files, click the Clear data button. In the same way, you may delete cookies and cache in any other browser you’re using.
Verify for viruses and malware
On Windows, spyware and other harmful applications can potentially negatively affect your internet connection. Slower performance may result from these malicious apps’ covert bandwidth consumption, interference with browser operations, or background chores that deplete system resources. The effect on your internet speed may intensify if your computer is afflicted with several viruses. Unusual activities, such as the keyboard typing by itself, slow or inconsistent system performance, and unexpected websites launching on their own are common indicators of spyware infection.
In a similar vein, viruses can cause serious damage to your Windows computer and further reduce the speed of your internet. These viruses have the ability to enter your computer, corrupt crucial data, and consume network resources, which will slow down your connection. These dangers frequently work in the background in silence, transmitting and receiving data that uses bandwidth and slows down uploads and downloads.Installing trustworthy antivirus software, such as Norton 360, Bitdefender, or Malwarebytes, is crucial for system protection. Additionally, by automatically monitoring for threats and maintaining system security, the integrated Windows Security program provides a strong first line of defense.
Your Windows 10 or 11 computer’s internet speed should increase if you follow the above instructions. However, it would be wise to get help from your Internet Service Provider (ISP) if you keep having problems with all of your devices. They are able to identify and fix issues on their end, including network failures and plan restrictions.