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Download speed is capped only for my PC even though my internet speed is fine

Anonymous
2025-02-01T12:45:50+00:00

Hi,

I have had an ongoing issue with my download speed being extermely slower than it should be and I have tried so many steps to fix it but nothing has worked. I am using an ethernet connection

My speed on google and ookla is always a consistant 25mbs. Even testing on my wifes PC she gets 25mbs and that is the same speed she gets when downloading. Im using steam to test this. For some reason mine is capped at 3.3mbs. Before it was 10mbs but after trying to fix it, it just got worse somehow.

My driver is Realtek Gaming 2.5Gbe Family Controller which through online searches show people have the same problems but the fixes havent worked for me.

I'll list the fixes I have attempted so far:

-Tried downloading both Wifi and Ethernet

-Tested the ethernet cable on other devices and confirmed only my PC has the issue

-Checked with ISP for any issues

-Compared speed with other devices and only PC has the issue

-Updated Drivers with Device Manager

  1. Right-click on Start, then select Device Manager.
  2. Select a device category, then right-click the one you like to update.
  3. Select Update driver, then click Search automatically for drivers.
  4. If Windows can't find an update, visit the device manufacturer's website and check for available driver updates.

I also tried updating drivers through the realtek website and even uninstalled drivers and did it again just to be sure

-Checked for Windows updates. Settings > Windows update > Check for Windows update.

-Ran Network Troubleshooter.

  1. In Windows 10, go to the Troubleshoot tab by going to Start > Update & Security.
  2. Locate Network Connections and click Run the troubleshooter.
  3. Finish the process by following the on-screen instructions.

-Reset TCP/IP Configuration

  1. Run Command Prompt as administrator.
  2. Input these two commands and press Enter after each one:
    netsh winsock reset
    netsh int ip reset c:\resetlog.txt
    netsh int ip reset
    ipconfig /release
    ipconfig /renew
  3. Restart your Computer.

-Temporarily disabled any third-party antivirus or firewall software to check if they are causing any network slowdowns. Sometimes, these security programs can interfere with network traffic.

-Tested download speed in clean boot.

-Ran the uninstaller for Lan Manager, which is found inside the Dragon tools program file folder.

C:\Program Files (x86)\MSI\One Dragon Center\LanManager.

-Tried multiple advanced settings in device manager settings such as the ones recommended in this link https://www.reddit.com/r/buildapc/comments/tft3u0/is_realtek_25gbe_lan_issue_fixed/

Thats all I can remember doing to try and fix this. I would appreciate any help, thanks

Windows for home | Windows 10 | Internet and connectivity

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  1. franco d'esaro 24,991 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
    2025-02-03T10:46:27+00:00

    Hi.

    I think you are confusing the units of measurement of speed.

    Connection speed is different from data download speed: Connection speed is measured in Mb/s and can also be written Mbps. Data download speed is measured in MegaBYTE per second and is written MB/s or MBps. 1 BYTE=8 bit. Data download speed is obtained by dividing the connection speed by 8. Since your connection speed is 25 Mb/s (25 Mbps), your download speed will be equal to 25:8= 3,125 MB/s or can be written 3,125 MBps

    So the value you detect (3,3 MBps) is correct.

    1 person found this answer helpful.
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  2. Anonymous
    2025-02-03T03:36:46+00:00

    Hi.

    I have checked and made sure Windows 10 was up to date and all updates were installed.

    I built the PC myself, so I went to the mother maufacturers website and downloaded the drivers.

    I tried a clean boot again. I do not use any third party firewall/antivirus or VPN.

    The issue still persists. The speed tests are showing the correct speed as usual which is 25mbs, but when I actually download anything the max speed I can get is 3.3mbs.

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  3. franco d'esaro 24,991 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
    2025-02-02T14:10:53+00:00

    Hi.

    First of all go to Windows Update and make sure Windows 10 is up to date and all updates are installed.

    Did you build this PC yourself or did you buy it pre-built? If you built the PC yourself, the network drivers should be downloaded from your motherboard manufacturer's website. If you bought the PC, the network drivers should be updated from the PC manufacturer's official website and not from Realtek's website.

    In any case, try repeating the Clean Boot test by following these steps: If you are using a third-party Firewall/Antivirus, try uninstalling it completely using its proprietary removal software. Also, disable or uninstall any VPN software, then try again.

    If the problem persists, try performing a clean boot of Windows: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/topic/how-to-perform-a-clean-boot-in-windows-da2f9573-6eec-00ad-2f8a-a97a1807f3dd#ID0EBBD=Windows_10

    During Clean Boot Mode, check the speed. If the problem does not occur during Clean Boot Mode, it means that some service or program is causing the interference or conflict. Follow the instructions in the guide to locate the service or program that is causing the conflict and remove it.

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  4. Anonymous
    2025-02-02T07:45:09+00:00

    Hey,

    The PC and router are in the same room. Also my wifes PC is right next to mine and she uses a wifi connection while I use ethernet. So even though testing through game launchers might not always be accurate she still gets a consistant 25mbs on steam. I also tested some downloads through chrome but using steam to test since its more reliable as I can set to to a Sydney server to download from and not an overseas one as I am in Sydney.

    Its plugged directrly into the routers LAN port

    System Information:

    netsh int tcp show global:

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  5. franco d'esaro 24,991 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
    2025-02-01T13:57:15+00:00

    Hi.

    Game launchers may have inherent limitations in the way they perform speed tests, resulting in lower values ​​than a browser-based speed test.

    Are your router and PC in the same room or in different rooms or on different floors of your house?

    Is your PC's network cable plugged directly into the router's LAN port or is it plugged into the wall's Ethernet LAN jack?

    Specify the exact model of your computer or go to Start, type msinfo and attach a screenshot of the System Information page.

    Also, specify the exact model of your network card or go to Device Manager expand network adapters and post the screenshot.

    Open CMD and copy and paste the following command, netsh int tcp show global and press enter.

    Copy everything and post the result.

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