10 Tips to Increase Internet Speed in Windows 11

Microsoft’s latest Windows 11 operating system is known for its speed. But sometimes, users might find themselves with a slow internet connection. This can happen due to various reasons including the type of modem you are using, the number of devices connected to your network, or even your Wi-Fi signal strength.

In this blog post, we will discuss 10 ways that will help increase Windows 11 internet speed and get rid of any related problems!

What are the reasons for the Slow Internet?

There can be many reasons for the slow internet speed in Windows 11. It could be because of a problem with your modem, your network settings, or even your Wi-Fi signal. Here is the list of top reasons for slow internet speed on Windows 11:

1. Faulty modem: One of the most common reasons for a slow internet connection is a faulty modem. If your modem is not working properly, it can definitely affect your internet speed.

2. Too many devices connected to the network: If you have too many devices connected to your network, it can slow down the internet speed for all devices.

3. Old or outdated hardware: If you are using old hardware on your computer, it can limit your internet speed. Make sure to use updated hardware to get the best performance.

4. Network congestion: If there is too much traffic on your network, it can cause congestion and result in a slow internet connection.

5. Wrong network settings: Incorrect network settings can also slow down the internet speed on your Windows 11 device.

7. Faulty drivers: Old or faulty drivers can also cause problems with your internet speed and performance of various devices connected to your network at home including gaming consoles and smart TV’s etc.

8. Antivirus Software: Installing and keeping antivirus software up to date is necessary for protecting yourself from viruses and malware that can put a damper on overall system performance – including slowing your Internet speeds – but some AV programs consume system resources like crazy, especially if you don’t keep them updated.

How to increase internet speed on Windows 11?

Check your modem

Before you do anything else, make sure that your modem is in good condition and is properly set up. If it’s not, that might be the reason why you’re experiencing a slow internet connection. Try to troubleshoot it or call your service provider for assistance.

Reboot your computer

Sometimes all you need to do is reboot your computer and that can fix the problem of a slow internet connection. This is because some programs might not be working properly or there might be some conflict going on between them. A reboot clears all that up and gives your computer a fresh start

Disable unnecessary programs and services

One of the most common reasons for a slow internet connection is that there are too many programs and services running in the background and unnecessarily consuming the network. This drastically slows down the browsing and downloading speed.

To determine if this is the case, follow these instructions to fix that.

Disable Windows Defender Firewall and Anti-Virus

Since the internet speed depends largely on your connection, if there is a firewall or anti-virus program blocking it, then that might significantly impact the speed as well. While most devices are preinstalled with these programs, you have to ensure that they are not consuming too much of your bandwidth. You can try disabling them and check if that speeds up the internet on your system.

To disable the Firewall in Windows 11, follow these steps:

1. On Windows 11 search box, type Control Panel and click on its icon to launch it.
2. Click on System and Security. 
3. Next, click on Windows Defender Firewall.
4. On the next window, choose Turn Windows Defender Firewall on or off option.
5. Click on Turn Off bullet buttons for both Public and Private networks.
6. Firewall will be disabled

It is important to note that turning off the Firewall will make your system vulnerable to malicious attacks. So do that at your own risk.

Disable IPv6

IPv6 is a new internet standard that provides better performance as compared to its predecessor IPv4. Though this might sound beneficial, it causes issues related to the internet connection speed since IPv6 is not backward compatible with IPv4. This means that if your operating system uses only IPv4 and you have active connections over both types of IPs, data packets can get lost in translation resulting in a slow-running network. To avoid these problems, disable IPV6 if you want to increase internet speed on Windows 11.

Change the DNS Server

DNS servers are basically an internet phonebook that translates the domain names into IPs. Though most users connect to their ISP’s default DNS server, you can switch over to any third-party DNS server like Google Public DNS or OpenDNS for better speed by changing your router settings.

To change the DNS server on Windows 11, follow these instructions:

1. Open Windows 11 Settings.
2. Switch to Network & internet and click on Advanced network settings.
3. On the next page, click on More network adapter options.
4. Right-click on the WiFi or LAN network and choose Properties.
5. Double-click on the Internet Protocol version 4.
6. Click the Use the following DNS server addresses bullet option and add the following address:
   • Preferred DNS server: 8.8.8.8
   • Alternate DNS server: 8.8.4.4
7. Click OK and close the window.

Change your router’s MTU Settings

MTU (Maximum Transmission Unit) is a value that determines the maximum size of packets that can be transferred in a single transmission over an IP network. Routers use this value to determine which packets to forward and which ones to drop. If the MTU size is not set correctly, it can cause problems with the internet connection speed.

To change the MTU size on a router, you need to log in to its admin panel by entering its IP address in a web browser. Once you’re logged in, look for the MTU settings and enter a value that is smaller than the current one but greater than 1400. Save the changes and restart your router.

Turn Off Metered Connections

Windows 10 has a new feature called Metered Connections that allows you to set a data limit for certain Wi-Fi networks. Once the limit is reached, the network will be turned off until the next billing cycle. While this might be a handy feature for some, it can also slow down the internet speed if you’re not careful.

To turn OFF Metered Connections in Windows 11, follow these steps:

1. Open Settings and select Network and Internet.
2. Choose Wi-Fi and then click on your current connection.
3. Scroll down and turn off the toggle switch next to Metered connection.

Configure Update Bandwidth using Windows Update Delivery Optimization

Windows has a built-in feature called Windows Update Delivery Optimization (WUDO) that uses your computer’s bandwidth to download updates and apps from other Windows 11 computers on the same network. You can adjust the uploading and downloading bandwidth through WUDO.

To do that, follow these instructions:

1. Open Settings and select Windows Update.
2. Scroll down and select Advanced options.
3. On the next screen, click on Delivery Optimization.
4. Under Delivery Optimization settings click on Advanced settings.
5. Configure the Download and Upload bandwidths.

Use Ethernet Instead of Wi-Fi

If you’re not happy with the speed provided by your internet service provider, it is time to switch to Ethernet connections. Though most laptops and desktops do not ship with an Ethernet port these days, you can purchase a USB adapter online or from any computer hardware store nearby. If your router supports Ethernet over Wi-Fi, it is also a good idea to use a wired connection whenever possible.

Final Words

While there are many things you can do to increase the internet speed on Windows 11, the ones listed above are some of the most effective. By using any or all of these methods, you can boost your internet speed and enjoy smooth HD streaming. However, keep in mind that no one method is a magic solution for slow internet problems because they are caused by multiple factors. For this reason, it is always a good idea to visit your ISP’s customer service portal to troubleshoot the problem instead of applying temporary fixes found on the web. 

Try out a few of the listed tips and see which one works best for you. Do you have any other tips to share? Let us know in the comments below.

Peter Brown

Peter is an Electrical Engineer whose primary interest is tinkering with his computer. He is passionate about Windows 10 Platform and enjoys writing tips and tutorials about it.