How to fix a slow or lagging internet connection on Windows 10/11

Summary

This guide helps you troubleshoot and resolve: How to fix a slow or lagging internet connection on Windows 10/11. Follow the steps below to fix the issue.

Common Causes

Slow or lagging internet on a Windows PC can be caused by anything from outdated network drivers to congested DNS servers. This guide walks you through the most common fixes, starting with the quickest checks and moving into more detailed troubleshooting. The steps apply to both Windows 10 and Windows 11, with menu paths noted where they differ.

Quick Fix Steps

If you're in a hurry, try these steps first. They resolve the majority of slow connection issues.

1. Restart your computer and your modem/router.
2. Run the built-in Windows Network Troubleshooter.
3. Flush your DNS cache and reset your network adapter.
4. Try a different browser or an incognito/private window to rule out browser issues.
5. Test your speed at speedtest.net on both Wi-Fi and (if possible) a wired connection.

If your speed is consistently slow on both Wi-Fi and Ethernet, the issue is likely with your PC or your ISP. If only Wi-Fi is slow, the issue is more likely signal or router related.

Detailed Instructions

1. Restart Your Equipment

Before changing any settings, power cycle your modem and router. Unplug both devices from power, wait 30 seconds, then plug the modem back in first. Wait two minutes for it to fully sync, then power on the router. Restart your PC once the router is online.

2. Run the Windows Network Troubleshooter

Windows includes a built-in troubleshooter that can detect and fix common network problems automatically.

1. Right-click the network icon in the system tray (bottom-right corner).
2. Select Diagnose network problems or Troubleshoot problems.
3. Follow the prompts and apply any recommended fixes.
4. Restart your PC when complete.

3. Flush DNS and Reset Network Settings

Flushing the DNS cache clears outdated entries, while resetting the network stack restores default settings that may have been corrupted.

1. Press Win + S, type cmd, then right-click Command Prompt and select Run as administrator.
2. Run the following commands one at a time, pressing Enter after each:
   • ipconfig /flushdns
   • ipconfig /release
   • ipconfig /renew
   • netsh winsock reset
   • netsh int ip reset
3. Restart your computer.

4. Change Your DNS Server

Your ISP's default DNS servers can sometimes be slow or unreliable. Switching to a public DNS provider often improves browsing speed and reliability.

1. Open Settings > Network & internet.
2. Click on your active connection (Wi-Fi or Ethernet).
3. For Wi-Fi: scroll down and click Hardware properties, then Edit next to DNS server assignment.
4. For Ethernet: click Edit next to DNS server assignment.
5. Switch from Automatic (DHCP) to Manual.
6. Enable IPv4 and enter:
   • Preferred DNS: 1.1.1.1 (Cloudflare)
   • Alternate DNS: 1.0.0.1
7. Alternatively, use Google DNS: 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4.
8. Click Save.

5. Update or Reinstall Your Network Adapter Driver

Outdated or corrupted drivers are a common cause of slow or unstable connections.

1. Right-click the Start button and select Device Manager.
2. Expand the Network adapters section.
3. Right-click your Wi-Fi or Ethernet adapter and select Update driver.
4. Choose Search automatically for drivers.
5. If no update is found, right-click the adapter again and select Uninstall device, then restart your PC. Windows will reinstall the driver automatically.

6. Disable Network-Heavy Background Apps

Windows Update, cloud storage apps (OneDrive, Dropbox, Google Drive), and streaming services can consume bandwidth in the background.

1. Open Settings > Windows Update > Advanced options > Delivery Optimisation.
2. Turn off Allow downloads from other PCs.
3. Check Settings > Apps > Installed apps for cloud sync apps and pause or quit them when not in use.
4. Open Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc), go to the Processes tab, and sort by Network to identify any apps using excessive bandwidth.

7. Disable Wi-Fi Power Saving Features

Windows sometimes reduces Wi-Fi performance to save power, especially on laptops.

1. Open Device Manager and expand Network adapters.
2. Right-click your Wi-Fi adapter and select Properties.
3. Go to the Power Management tab.
4. Uncheck Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power.
5. Click OK.

8. Reset Network Settings Completely

If the above steps haven't resolved the issue, a full network reset will reinstall all network adapters and reset all networking settings to default.

1. Open Settings > Network & internet.
2. Click Advanced network settings > Network reset.
3. Click Reset now and confirm.
4. Your PC will restart. You'll need to reconnect to Wi-Fi and re-enter any saved passwords.

Troubleshooting

If you're still experiencing slow speeds after completing all steps, work through these additional checks:

Test on Multiple Devices

Connect another device (phone, tablet, another PC) to the same network. If other devices are also slow, the problem is likely with your router, modem, or ISP rather than your PC. If other devices are fast, the issue is isolated to your Windows machine.

Check for Malware

Malware and adware can hijack your network connection. Run a full scan with Windows Security:

1. Open Settings > Privacy & security > Windows Security.
2. Click Virus & threat protection > Scan options.
3. Select Full scan and click Scan now.

Check Your Network Adapter Speed

Your adapter may be negotiating a slower speed than expected.

1. Open Settings > Network & internet.
2. Click on your active connection, then Hardware properties.
3. Check the Link speed (Receive/Transmit). If it shows a speed well below what your router or network card supports (for example, 72 Mbps on a router capable of 1200 Mbps), this indicates a signal or compatibility issue.
4. Try moving closer to your router, or switching to a different Wi-Fi band (2.4 GHz for range, 5 GHz for speed).

Check Your ISP Speeds

Run a speed test on a wired connection directly to your modem (bypassing your router) to confirm your ISP is delivering the speeds you're paying for. If speeds are still low at the modem, contact your ISP.

Check for Windows Updates

Pending Windows updates can sometimes throttle network performance. Open Settings > Windows Update and install any available updates, then restart your PC.

Check Date and Time Settings

An incorrect date or time can cause network authentication failures and slow connections. Open Settings > Time & language > Date & time and ensure Set time automatically is turned on.

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