Why is my internet so bad only on my laptop

Question

Why is my internet so bad on my laptop in my room but other devices have no problems connecting in the exact same spot.

My laptop is having severe issues with connecting to the internet and usually only gets 1.42mbps yet other devices will get around 30-40mbps no problem. This issue has been a problem for about 4 months now and I have no idea how to fix it

Answer 1

Hi XMSAM,

This is April, I'll be happy to assist you. Sorry to hear that you're having issue with Internet Connection. Let me help you out.

Based on the description you provided, your laptop consistently struggles with slow internet speeds around 1.42 Mbps while other devices in the same room get 30-40 Mbps without problems.

Possible root causes include issues with the Wi-Fi adapter, such as outdated drivers, power-saving settings that limit performance, or hardware aging that struggles with modern 5GHz networks. The problem could also stem from a band or channel mismatch your laptop may be stuck on the slower 2.4GHz band or connected to a congested channel. Interference from walls, metal objects, or nearby USB 3.0 devices can further weaken the signal, especially since laptop antennas are typically less powerful than those in phones or tablets. Additionally, network configuration problems like static IP conflicts, DNS errors, or restrictive VPNs and firewalls may slow connections. Lastly, software factors such as background apps, telemetry, or malware can consume bandwidth or CPU resources, reducing overall network performance.

Here are step-by-step fixes that you can try:

1. Check the Wi-Fi band
   • Open Device Manager > Network adapters, right-click your Wi-Fi adapter > Properties > Advanced. Find Preferred Band or Wireless Mode and set it to Auto or 5 GHz (if available).
2. Update or reinstall drivers
   • Install the latest driver via Windows Update or the laptop maker's support site. Or uninstall the adapter in Device Manager and reboot. Windows will reinstall the driver automatically.
3. Disable Power Saving
   • Control Panel > Power Options > Change plan settings > Advanced settings.
   • Under Wireless Adapter Settings > Power Saving Mode, choose Maximum Performance.
4. Flush Network Settings
   • Open an elevated Command Prompt and run the network reset commands; for example: ipconfig /flushdns ipconfig /release ipconfig /renew netsh winsock reset netsh int ip reset
   • Then reboot.
5. Test with a USB Wi-Fi dongle If a USB adapter gives noticeably better speeds, the internet Wi-Fi adapter may be the bottleneck.
6. Boot into Safe Mode with Networking
   • If speeds improve in Safe Mode, a background app, driver or malware is likely interfering in normal boot.

I hope this helps. If you need further assistance, please don’t hesitate to contact us again. We’re here to help, and we appreciate your continued trust in us.

Warm Regards,

April P.

Independent Advisor

Answer 2

If your router supports dual-band (2.4GHz and 5GHz), try switching to the other band. 2.4GHz has longer range but slower speeds; 5GHz is faster but shorter range.