Share via

Download speeds fluctuate between 25 mbps and less than 1.. network adapter faulty? PLS help.

Anonymous
2022-10-19T01:39:56+00:00

My laptop was purchased in 2017 (W10 downgrade rights with W7) and I have had wifi issues from the start. My network adapter is as updated as it can be.. I've uninstalled and reinstalled it.. All troubleshooting says no issue found.. I've chosen every setting I can to speed up my internet but it has nothing to do with the speed of my wifi plan or my router because this happens no matter whose network I'm using. Speed tests sometimes show a download speed of 25 or 50 Mbps and I have no problem viewing online content or streaming but other times it shows a download speed of 1 Mbps (or less!) even when it should be 70+. No other device is sharing the network but when I do turn on other devices their wifi is fine. (Wireless network connection status shows a speed of 72.2 Mbps if that matters) Sometimes I can barely get through streaming a 30 minute program and browser tabs take forever to load.

I don't want to have to buy a new laptop just because of this one issue on an otherwise perfectly functioning one.

ANY HELP would be appreciated - thank you!!!

(Lenovo Thinkpad W7 / Qualcomm Atheros QCA9377 Wireless network adapter - driver version 11.0.0.768)

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Internet and connectivity

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

0 comments

37 answers

Sort by: Most helpful
Most helpful Newest Oldest
  1. Anonymous
    2022-10-22T21:17:09+00:00

    No, in fact, as I have already said, if the problem occurs on any network, the networks are certainly not the cause of the problem. Rest assured that the thread will remain open, no one will close it. Come back here when you have time to report.

    1 person found this answer helpful.
    0 comments
  2. Anonymous
    2022-10-19T16:14:51+00:00

    Wireless connection speeds are often quite problematic. The ONLY way to diagnose is to start with a direct wired connection. If that is stable, you know your service is working properly. If the wired connection speed is less than you are paying for, you have a problem with the provider.

    If the wired speed is stable, the question is almost always where your laptop is located vis-a-vis the wireless router. Start by placing the laptop within a few feet of that router. If that speed is stable, you know your problem is with your wireless network. If not, it could be the wireless device in the laptop itself.

    Often my clients buy a USB wireless device (about $30) and they usually work way better than the internal ones.

    1 person found this answer helpful.
    0 comments
  3. Anonymous
    2022-10-19T16:38:06+00:00

    Hi meeshymee w. ,

    if you go to the Network and Sharing Center it should show you which network you are connected to or log in to the router and then go to the Wireless Settings page.

    0 comments
  4. Anonymous
    2022-10-19T15:44:22+00:00

    Thank you so much for the reply!

    Unfortunately, my knowledge is limited. I've always assumed it was a network card issue but I have no idea. The times when it's beyond slow I reboot and it seems to be faster.

    I'm currently away from home and don't know where the router is but I have tried connecting via ethernet cord in the past with my own router and it made no difference. Also, I assume 5G but I don't know where I can check that on the laptop (if you tell me where to look I can give you any info. you need).

    I've done speed tests in the past that show a speed of 50 and other times less than 1 (using wifi in different homes with different plans).. obviously, it's really slow when pages take forever to load and thats when speed test shows 10 or less but there have been times when streaming buffers constantly and speed says 25 or even 50.. it's all very random.

    0 comments
  5. Anonymous
    2022-10-19T06:55:42+00:00

    Hi meeshymee w.,

    do you connect via the 2.4 or 5 GHz network? Do the 2 networks have the same SSID or are the SSIDs separate?

    Try to temporarily connect the laptop to the router via network cable and check if the speed is regular. This test is to determine if it may be a Windows or wireless network card problem.

    0 comments