Fast internet is an essential boost for the user experience on windows 11. Sadly, users on this OS are not always afforded this opportunity for varying reasons. Slow internet speed on Windows 11 is one of the more common questions I have been asked in recent months. This guide will provide you with the perfect fix when faced with this challenge.
Here are the troubleshooting solutions I will recommend:
1. Run the Troubleshooter for Internet Connection
This fix should be your first go-to when you encounter any internet issue on Windows 11. Here is how you run the troubleshooter.
Step 1: Click on the search icon by the start menu and type “troubleshoot settings.” Open the troubleshoot applet.
Step 2: Click on the option for “Other Troubleshooters.”
Step 3: Locate the Internet Connections option at the top of the right pane and click on the run option.
2. Toggle off Metered Connections
The metered connections are a great option to economize data use. Sadly, this setting will restrict the free use of the internet on your apps and computer services and will lead to slow internet. If you have this connection enables, you should disable it.
Step 1: From your start menu, open the Settings app.
Step 2: On the left pane, select Network & Internet, and on the right pane, select the Wi-Fi option
Step 3: Select your Wi-Fi network name to open its properties. This should be the same name as the network you are currently connected to.
Step 4: Toggle off the switch in front of the “metered connection” option.
3. Reduce the Bandwidth for Windows Updates
In the Windows 11 OS, users can allocate a portion of the data for Windows updates. However, when many of your resources go into updates, you will naturally start to experience slow internet speed on Windows 11.
Here is how you can remedy this:
Step 1: Open the Settings app. I already showed how this is done in the second fix, but alternatively, using keyboard hotkeys “Windows Key + I” will do the trick. Once in Settings, click on the Windows update option at the bottom of the left pane, then select the “Advanced Options” at the right pane.
Step 2: Under the “Additional Options” section, select “Delivery Optimization.”
Step 3: Toggle off the switch for “Allow downloads from other PCs” and open the advanced options.
Step 4: Under the Download settings section, select the radio button for Absolute bandwidth, select its two checkboxes, and define how much bandwidth you prefer to allocate.
Alternatively, select the radio button for the Percentage of measured bandwidth and define the percentages allocated using the slider.
4. Disable Apps Running in the Background
Some Windows 11 apps are configured to keep running in the background. This feature may be essential to them functioning correctly. Messaging apps like slack, for example, will remain in the background so that you can be alerted as soon as you get a new message. The flip side to these apps is that they consume so much data and are a reason for slow internet speed on Windows 11. A good idea will be to disable the background apps you do not intend to use.
Step 1: Open the Windows 11 settings app, select the app option on the left pane and the “App features” option on the right pane.
Step 2: Scroll down the app list to locate any app you want to disable. Open its advanced settings by clicking on the app’s ellipses (3 dots) icon.
Step 3: Select “Never” from the Background apps permission drop-down menu.
5. End Processes that Consume Data
Background processes are often the chief culprit of slow internet speed on Windows 11. You will need to be able to both identify and terminate these processes.
Step 1: Launch the task manager using hotkeys Ctrl + Shift +Esc.
Step 2: Navigate to the performance tan and select the “Open Resource Monitor” option at the bottom.
Step 3: Navigate to the Network tab and identify what processes use the most data. Right-click on them and select the “End Process” option.
6. Update the Network Driver
Slow internet speed on Windows 11 can be a factor of outdated network adapter drivers, however, updating the drivers will rule out this possibility.
Step 1: Launch the device manager by clicking on the menu search icon, typing device manager, and clicking on the app’s icon.
Step 2: Expand the option for “Network Adapter,” right-click on any option that has Wi-Fi as part of its name, and finally select update. At this point, you will follow all the onscreen instructions to finish the update.
In the end, you should notice a boost in your Windows 11 network speed.
7. Avoid or Disable VPN
VPNs are configured to pass your information or data through numerous servers. If one of the servers has an issue, you may experience slow internet speed on Windows 11. Momentarily disabling the VPN may be the quick fix.
8 Reboot Your Computer
This is not often the solution, but after years of working with different devices, it will be unwise to underestimate the power of a reboot. Rebooting allows your computer to discard and free up memory space. This will be the solution if a full memory is causing internet lag.
Final Thoughts
You need not panic when faced with Windows 11 internet issues. This is one of the many computer issues that will not require any external tech help. I hope you find this article useful.
