How to Improve Ethernet Speed on Windows 11
If your internet’s feeling pretty sluggish on a Windows 11 machine, it’s a good idea to check a few settings. Sometimes, a quick tweak can make a real difference — perfect for streaming, gaming, or just stopping that annoying buffering hiccup. Here are some straightforward tips to try out. They’re easy enough—even if you’re not a tech whiz, it’s worth giving them a go.
Update Your Network Drivers
First off, have a look at your network drivers. They’re often the reason your speeds are slow. Manufacturers frequently roll out updates to fix bugs or improve performance, so it’s worth checking. Just search for Device Manager in Windows, find your network adapter — it’s usually labeled Ethernet or LAN — right-click and select “Update driver.” Easy peasy, right?
If Windows doesn’t find the latest drivers automatically, you can head to the manufacturer’s website, like Intel or Realtek, and grab the latest version yourself. Feeling tech-savvy? You can even run a command:
pnputil /update-driversSometimes your PC might need a reboot for the updates to take effect, but that’s pretty standard.
Turn Off Unnecessary Background Apps
Next up, background apps can sneakily munch away at your bandwidth. Head over to Settings > Privacy & Security > Background apps and switch off the ones you don’t need running all the time. You can also check Apps & features and limit what runs in the background.
If you want to completely stop certain services, open Services.msc. From there, you can disable things like Windows Update or third-party sync tools — but don’t forget to turn them back on later. It’s about giving your internet a bit of a boost without causing headaches down the track.
Tweak Your Ethernet Adapter Settings
If your speeds are still lagging after driver updates and shutting down background apps, it might be worth fiddling with the adapter settings. Back in Device Manager, right-click your network adapter again, go to Properties > Advanced. Here are a few settings to consider:
- Large Send Offload v2 (IPv4/IPv6)
- Receive Side Scaling (RSS)
- Interrupt Moderation
Try turning some of these options from Enabled to Disabled. Don’t go crazy, though—test how it goes afterward, as it depends on your gear.
Switch Up Your DNS Settings
Another handy move is changing your DNS servers. Your ISP’s default DNS might be a bit slow, so switching to Google’s (8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4) or Cloudflare’s (1.1.1.1) can get you browsing faster. Here’s how:
- Go to Settings > Network & Internet > Ethernet.
- Click Edit under IP assignment.
- Switch IPv4 / IPv6 from
AutomatictoManual. - Turn on IPv4 (or IPv6) and enter the new DNS addresses.
For example:
Preferred DNS: 8.8.8.8
Alternate DNS: 8.8.4.4
Give it a go and see if it improves your speed!
Make Sure Your Ethernet Cable Is Good to Go
Finally, don’t forget about the basics — your Ethernet cable. Is it in good nick? Cheap or old cables can slow things right down without you realising. Test it with a cable tester or swap it out for a better one if you’ve got a spare. Also, keep plugs direct into your router or modem — no dodgy adapters — and if you’re running longer distances, a CAT6a or CAT7 cable might be worth the investment.
Once you’ve given these a try, you should notice a fair bit more speed with your Ethernet connection. They’re simple steps to give your setup a bit of a tune-up. Sometimes it’s just a matter of rebooting after changes or trying a few different combos, but it’s well worth it for a smoother connection.
Here’s a quick checklist:
- Update your network drivers
- Turn off unnecessary background apps
- Adjust Ethernet adapter settings
- Change DNS to something quicker
- Check that your Ethernet cable is in good nick
If just one of these tips helps you get a faster, more reliable internet connection, you’re laughing. Cheers!