How to Fix Slow Internet on Windows 10 in 2021

Internet speeds are increasing all over the world. But it is quite possible that your Windows PC may be facing the problem of slow Internet speed. If you face this issue, then it could occur due to misconfiguration in the router, some issue in the operating system, or intervention by other installed software. There are various things that a user can do to fix this issue and get faster Internet speeds.

Pause Windows Updates

Let’s assume that you have a low-speed internet connection and want to watch YouTube videos or Netflix shows. In case you don’t know, Windows 10 automatically downloads updates behind closed doors so that you can install them whenever possible. In other terms, while you watch the YouTube video, Windows 10 downloads updates using the same internet connection. Simple math – the more you split the connection, the less speed you get for each app. To pause Windows Updates, follow these steps –

1: Press Win+I to open Windows Settings and go to Update & Security > Windows Update.

2: Click on the Pause updates for 7 days button.

Close The Peer to Peer (P2P) Update Process

you’ll need to disconnect the channel from which you pull data for applications and system updates from other PCs on the same server. Windows has seen fit to divide up your internet bandwidth with total strangers all without your permission.

This is so that you, the incredibly selfless human being that you are, can enable others to receive their Windows updates faster at the expense of your internet speed. Not too sure why Windows feels this is okay but it tends to bog down your internet speed both during and after a recent update.

To put the kibosh on the whole community connectivity situation limiting your bandwidth, you should:

Head to your Start menu and click on the Settings icon or type settings into the search bar and click on the application when presented.

Next click Advanced Options, then click on Delivery Optimization.

Find Allow downloads from other PCs and click the blue toggle from On to Off.

No more internet sharing with people you don’t know. If the toggle was already set to Off as default, we still have a few more options you can try to get your internet speed back up to par.

Configure the bandwidth allocation using the Group Policy Editor

Open the Group Policy Editor and navigate to:
Administrative Templates > Network > QoS Packet Scheduler.

Select the policy setting for Limit reservable bandwidth.

The radio button should be set to be Enabled.

For percentage for Bandwidth limit (%) set it to 100%.

Select Apply and then OK.

Reboot your computer, and your internet speeds should be normal.

Check Your Router

While unlikely, your router may be pre-configured to limit bandwidth for specific situations or times. The problem with this method is that every router is different so you’ll need to poke around. We discuss this, and include some links, in our article on How to Update Your Router Firmware.

Update Your Drivers

As always, tech support 101 requires your drivers are up to date. Updating only your network drivers isn’t enough. You also need to update your motherboard drivers because they work together.

Take a look at How to Download the Latest Drivers for Windows and follow those steps if you know your drivers aren’t up to date.

Quit your background apps

When you have apps running at the back like your Spotify or Skype whilst you are researching how pigs can fly (don’t ask me why I thought of that), your internet will slow down. So quit from all your background apps, and I can assure you, your internet will be much faster.
Some of the apps that take up a lot of your internet whilst it runs in the background include

Steam
Antivirus (Virus Database Update)
EA Origin
Cloud Sharing Applications

Restart Computer

Restart works like a magic wand to fix common issues, irrespective of the OS or device you are using. At times, bugs may cause such problems, and a restart fixes it automatically without consuming much time. Therefore, before heading to some of the complex guides, it is better to restart your computer if you have not done already.