Dear MaddicJordan
Thank you for posting in the Microsoft community.
The issue you are experiencing with the Realtek Gaming GbE controller automatically capping at 100 Mbps may be related to a number of factors. You have performed a lot of troubleshooting and settings adjustments, here are some further suggestions and possible solutions:
- Check the Ethernet adapter settings
Although you have tried many settings, make sure the following settings are correct:
Open Device Manager:
Right-click on the Start button and select Device Manager.
Locate “Network Adapters”, right click on the Realtek Gaming GbE Controller and select “Properties”.
In the Advanced tab, ensure the following settings:
Speed & Duplex: Set to “Auto-Negotiation”.
Flow Control: Enable (if available).
Jumbo Frame: Try to enable this option if it is available (this usually improves performance).
- Update BIOS
Sometimes, updating your laptop's BIOS can resolve hardware compatibility issues. Visit the official HP website to find the BIOS update for your model and follow the instructions.
- Check network cables and ports
Although you mentioned using a 1000 Mbps CAT 5e cable, make sure:
The cable is intact: Check the cable for physical damage.
Using a different port: If you are connected to a router or switch, try switching ports to rule out the possibility of a port failure.
- Check the router settings
Make sure the port settings of the router are correct:
Log in to the router's management interface and check for any restriction settings. Make sure that QoS (Quality of Service) or bandwidth management features are not enabled, which may limit the speed of a particular port.
Make sure the router firmware is up-to-date; sometimes older firmware can cause compatibility issues.
- Try Different Driver Versions
Although you have downloaded the latest driver from Realtek, sometimes it is better to use a previous stable version:
- In the Device Manager, right-click on the Realtek controller and select “Uninstall Device”.
- Make sure “Remove driver software for this device” is checked.
- Restart your computer and Windows will attempt to reinstall the driver.
- If the problem persists, try installing an older version of the driver.
- Use command line tools
Run the following command at the command prompt to reset the TCP/IP stack:
netsh int ip reset
netsh winsock reset
ipconfig /flushdns
ipconfig /release
ipconfig /renew
and then restart the computer.
- Check the power management settings
Ensure that the network adapter's power management settings are not causing speed limitations:
- In Device Manager, right-click on the Realtek controller and select Properties. 2.
- In the Power Management tab, make sure that “Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power” is unchecked.
- Consider hardware failure
If all of the above fails to resolve the issue, you may need to consider a hardware failure in the network adapter itself. You can try:
- Test with a USB Ethernet adapter to see if it is capable of 1 Gbps speeds.
- If possible, contact HP Support and ask if the network adapter can be replaced.
With these steps, you should be able to locate and resolve the Realtek Gaming GbE Controller speed limitation issue. If the issue persists, please feel free to update me and I will continue to help.
Best Wish
Shawn.Z-MSFT | Microsoft Community Support Specialist