How to increase Internet speed in Windows 11

With the Internet being the fastest way to connect with people, it’s more important than ever to be connected as quickly as possible. Fast internet ensures you enjoy lag-free streaming and instant downloads.

As such, here are various tweaks you can make to increase your internet speed in Windows 11.

What causes a slow internet connection?

There could be several reasons why you are experiencing a low connection problem in Windows 11.

1. One of the main reasons for a slow connection is a bad location of the router.
2. A slow Internet connection can be caused by an incorrectly configured bandwidth.
3. Excessive tabs and applications open in the background can also cause the problem.
4. VPNs are often the main culprit behind slow internet connections.

Increasing your Internet speed in Windows 11 is quite easy. Let’s check how to do it.

1. Update to the latest Windows update

Before making any of the changes below, make sure you’re using an updated system. Each Windows update has performance improvements and may affect Internet connectivity.

Here’s how to download the latest Windows 11 update.

1. Open Settings using Win + I.
2. Choose Windows Update from the left window.
3. Click Check for updates.
4. Windows will check for and download any available updates.

After updating the system, check if there is an improvement in the Internet speed.

2. Change the position of the router

Poor router placement is another culprit of slow internet connection. Wi-Fi signal range depends on router specifications and design. But the farther the signal has to travel, the weaker it will be. Additionally, signal strength can affect physical objects such as walls and floors.

So, make sure that the system is located near the router and there are no major physical obstacles between the source and the receiver.

3. Close unnecessary apps running in the background

Slow internet speed is often caused by unnecessary applications running in the background. As it turns out, these apps are constantly consuming bandwidth, leaving the main app with limited resources. You will have to close all such applications to fix the problem.

Here’s how to do it.

1. Open Task manager using Ctrl + Shift + Esc.
2. Go to: Performance tab.
3. Click Open the resource monitor.
4. In the Resource Monitor window, navigate to Network tab.
5. Look for services that consume the most bandwidth/second.
6. Right click on services and select Finish the process.

   

Check if there is improvement in internet speed or not.

4. Disconnect the metered connection

Windows 11 has a metered connection feature. It helps to save internet data. But on the downside, it can be the main cause of slow internet connection. To increase the speed, you will have to turn off metered connection in Windows 11.

Here’s how to do it.

1. Open Settings on your system.
2. Choose Network and Internet from the left panel.
3. Click Wi-Fi.
4. Click on your Wi-Fi connection.
5. Turn off the switch on the side Measured connection.

   

Restart the system and check if there is an improvement in internet speed.

5. Change the DNS server

By default, the DNS server is set to automatic, which may be the cause of a slow Internet connection. You need to connect to an open source DNS server to enjoy fast internet speed.

Here are the steps to change DNS server in Windows 11.

1. Open Run using a dialog box Win + R: hot keys.
2. Type: Control panel and click OK.
3. Choose Network and Internet.
4. Click Network and Exchange Center.
5. Click Change adapter settings from the left window.

   

6. Right-click on the connected network and select Features:
7. Double click on Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4).
8. Click Use the following IP address newsletter
9. Enter 8.8.8.8 in Preferred DNS server and: 8.8.4.4 in Alternate DNS server.

   

10. Click OK to save the changes.

Reboot the system and check your internet speed using an internet speed test website.

6. Change the bandwidth reserved for the limit

In Windows, 20% of Internet bandwidth is reserved for Windows-related services, while the remaining 80% is used for general tasks. But you can change the bandwidth to increase the Internet speed.

Here’s how to do it.

1. Open the Run dialog box.
2. Type: gpedit.msc: and click OK.
3. Choose Administrative templates under Local computer policy.
4. Open Network folder.
5. Double click on QoS packet scheduling.

   

6. Right click on Limit reserved bandwidth and choose Edit from the context menu.
7. Click On.

   

8. Change the bandwidth limit as per your convenience. We recommend keeping the limit below 90%.
9. Click Apply > OK.

7. Turn off Windows Update Services

Windows is constantly checking for and downloading a new OS update. But while Windows Update is downloading in the background, it can directly affect your Internet speed for common tasks. In this situation, you will have to disable Windows Update services.

Below are the steps to disable Windows Update services.

1. Open the Run dialog box and type service.msc: and press Enter.
2. Install Windows Update service
3. Right-click on the Windows Update service and select Features: from the context menu.
4. Change Run Type: to: Unable to work.
5. Click Stop it under Service status.
6. Click Apply > OK to save the changes.

8. Flush the DNS cache

A corrupt DNS cache can also lead to a slow Internet connection. To fix the problem, you need to clear the DNS cache.

Here’s how to flush DNS cache in Windows 11.

1. Open the command prompt in administrator mode.
2. Type: ipconfig: /flushdns: and press Enter.
3. You will see the message – Windows IP Configuration. DNS Resolver Cache flushed successfully.
4. Close the command prompt window.

Restart the system and check the connection.

9. Temporarily disable Windows Defender Firewall

Sometimes Windows Defender Firewall is also the reason why you experience slow internet connection. To fix the problem, you need to temporarily disable the Firewall.

Here’s how to do it.

1. Open Start menutype: Windows security and press Enter.
2. Choose Firewall and network protection from the left panel.
3. Click Private network.
4. Turn off the switch below Microsoft Defender Firewall.

   

Enjoy high speed internet on Windows 11

The high speed of the Internet allows you to download materials in seconds and enjoy uninterrupted video calls. But if you are getting lower internet speed, you can do the above mentioned changes.