How to Boost Your Internet Speed on a Windows 11 Laptop: Easy As Tips

How to Boost Your Internet Speed on a Windows 11 Laptop

Getting your internet running quicker on a Windows 11 laptop isn’t too tricky, but sometimes it can be a bit frustrating. Windows 11 usually handles network connections pretty well, but every now and then it throws a spanner in the works. A few tweaks and updates can help nip the lag in the bud, especially if you’re streaming or working without the internet throwing a tantrum.

Checking Your Network Settings

First up, jump into those network settings. It might seem a bit dull, but trust me, this is where the magic starts. Hit that Settings app — the quickest way is to press Windows + I. Then click on Network & Internet. Make sure you’re connected to the right Wi-Fi and that it’s solid. A lot of issues pop up when you’re on the wrong network or have a dodgy connection. If it’s playing up, disconnect and reconnect — even if it seems pointless. Sometimes flicking the Wi-Fi off and back on clears the gremlins.

If it’s still being a pain, consider doing a network reset. You’ll find that in Settings > Network & Internet > Advanced network settings > Network reset. Click Reset now and restart your laptop to see if that sorts it out.

Or, for the brave DIYer, open Command Prompt as an admin (Start menu > type ‘cmd’ > right-click > Run as administrator) and run this:

netsh int ip reset && netsh winsock reset && ipconfig /release && ipconfig /renew && ipconfig /flushdns

This resets the TCP/IP stack and clears the DNS cache, which can fix some pesky connection issues.

Updating Your Network Drivers

Next one, Device Manager. Open it with Windows + X and choose Device Manager. Find Network adapters, right-click your network device, and select Update driver. Picking Search automatically for drivers usually does the trick. If Windows isn’t playing ball, you might need to head over to your laptop’s website or the network card maker’s site (like Intel or Realtek) and grab the latest driver yourself.

Doing a manual driver update can be a bit of a dance. Download the driver from the maker’s site, then follow their instructions, or go through Device Manager: Update driver > Browse my computer for drivers > Let me pick from a list of available drivers on my computer.

Cutting Down Background Data Drains

Time to tackle those sneaky background apps gobbling up your bandwidth. Open Task Manager (hit Ctrl + Shift + Esc). Scroll through and disable anything that doesn’t need to be running, especially those background updaters for cloud services (OneDrive, Google Drive, Dropbox) or game launchers that start when you turn the PC on. Managing startup apps is a breeze — head to Task Manager > Startup.

And don’t forget about Windows Update. To stop it hogging your bandwidth, go to Settings > Windows Update > Advanced options > Delivery Optimization > Advanced Options. Turn off Allow downloads from other PCs so it doesn’t chew into your data.

Switching DNS Settings

Changing DNS settings isn’t complicated, and it might make a noticeable difference. Head to Settings > Network & Internet > Properties of your connected network. Scroll down to IP Settings, click Edit, switch from Automatic to Manual, turn on IPv4, and enter:

Preferred DNS: 8.8.8.8
Alternate DNS: 8.8.4.4

If you’re keen on IPv6, just add:

2001:4860:4860::8888
2001:4860:4860::8844

If you prefer the CLI approach, run these commands as admin:

netsh interface ip set dns "Wi-Fi" static 8.8.8.8

netsh interface ip add dns "Wi-Fi" 8.8.4.4 index=2

Clearing Out Temp Files

Your system can get sluggish over time — it’s not just the apps acting up, but a buildup of junk files. Tap into Disk Cleanup — it’s a hidden gem. Search for “Disk Cleanup” in the Start menu, pick your C: drive, select the files you don’t need (temporary files, cache, etc.), hit OK, and let it tidy up.

For a deeper clean, open Command Prompt as an admin and run:

cleanmgr /sagerun:1

But you’ll need to set that up first with cleanmgr /sageset:1 — do that once, then run the other command later.

Wrapping Up with System Tweaks

After giving all these a shot, your internet should feel a fair bit sprightlier — that’s the hope anyway. Updating drivers, clearing out clutter, switching DNS, and shutting down background apps can all help a slow connection. But remember, every laptop’s a bit different — what works a treat on one might not shift the needle on another. It’s a solid starting point without having to fork out or muck around with your router settings.

And if none of this makes a difference, maybe your ISP’s the real culprit. Upgrading your plan or chucking out the old modem/router might be what’s needed. For a more reliable connection, plugging in an Ethernet cable is often the best way — no Wi-Fi dramas then.