How to check the Wi-Fi speed of a computer or laptop

Have you noticed that your internet is slower than your provider promises? Or would you like to check whether your Wi-Fi adapter meets its stated specifications? Wireless module speed is a key parameter that determines whether you can comfortably watch videos in 4K, play online games without lag, or download files quickly. But how do you know what speed is when it's not directly displayed in Windows or macOS settings?

In this article we will look at 5 proven methodsHow to check your Wi-Fi adapter's speed—from built-in operating system tools to specialized utilities. You'll learn which parameters affect actual throughput and how to distinguish theoretical speed (For example, 866 Mbps in the adapter specifications) from actual (which depends on the router, interference and distance), and what to do if the adapter is not working at full capacity.

Important: Adapter speed and internet speed are different things. The adapter may support 1200 Mbps, but if your provider's tariff is - 100 Mbps, then you won't be able to go beyond this limit. Our goal is to check whether the adapter is becoming a bottleneck in your network.

1. Checking the speed through Device Manager (Windows)

The fastest way to find out maximum speed, which your Wi-Fi adapter supports - look at its properties through the Device Manager. This method works on all versions of Windows (from 7 to 11) and does not require installation of additional software.

Open device Manager (click Win + X and select the appropriate item) and find the section Network adaptersThere may be multiple devices displayed here - you need the one with the following in its name Wireless, Wi-Fi or 802.11 (For example, Intel Wi-Fi 6 AX200 or Qualcomm Atheros QCA9377).

Open Device Manager (Win + X → Device Manager)

Expand the "Network adapters" section

Find the name of the Wi-Fi module (with the words Wireless/Wi-Fi/802.11)

Double-click the adapter → "Advanced" tab

Find the "Transfer Speed" or "Wireless Mode" option -->

In the window that opens, go to the tab Additionally and find the parameter with the words Wireless Mode, Transmit Power or 802.11n/ac/ax Wireless Mode. This may indicate:

  • 🔹 Opening hours (For example, 802.11ac or 802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6)) - it determines the maximum theoretical speed.
  • 🔹 Channel width (20/40/80/160 MHz) - the wider, the higher the potential speed.
  • 🔹 Transfer speed (Link Speed) — the actual value at the moment (for example, 433 Mbps).

If the parameter Link Speed No, go to the tab Intelligence, select from the drop-down list Connection speed — the current connection speed to the router will be displayed here. Please note: this value may vary depending on your distance from the router and network congestion.

2. Command line: How to find out adapter speed using netsh

For those who prefer console commands, there is a utility netsh (Network Shell), built into Windows, provides detailed information about your wireless connection, including current speed and Wi-Fi standard.

Open Command line as administrator (click Win + S, enter cmd, then Ctrl + Shift + Enter) and run the command:

netsh wlan show interfaces

In the execution results, find the block Radio status (Radio State). The following will be indicated here:

  • 📡 Radio type (Type) - For example, 802.11ac.
  • 🔄 Current transfer rate (Receive rate (Mbps) And Transmit rate (Mbps)) — the speed of data reception and transmission.
  • 📶 Signal level (Signal) - in percent (the higher, the more stable the connection).

Example output:

   Radio type: 802.11ac

Receive speed (Mbps): 433


Transfer rate (Mbps): 433


Signal level: 95%

What do the speed values ​​mean in netsh?

If the reception speed (Receive rate) and transmission (Transmit rate) are very different (for example, 433 And 65 Mbps), this may indicate problems with drivers, interference from other networks, or limitations on the part of the router.

Please note: netsh shows current connection speed, not the adapter's maximum speed. To find the maximum throughput, you need to check the model's specifications or use third-party utilities (more on that below).

3. Third-party utilities for diagnosing Wi-Fi adapters

Built-in Windows tools provide basic information, but for a more in-depth diagnosis, specialized programs are best. They display not only the speed but also supported standards, channel width, interference levels, and even adapter temperature.

Here 3 proven utilities:

Program Possibilities Link (official website)
WiFi Info View (NirSoft) Shows speed, Wi-Fi standard, router MAC address, signal strength and a list of all available networks. nirsoft.net
NetSpot Wi-Fi coverage analysis, adapter speed, signal map, optimization recommendations. netspotapp.com
InSSIDer Detailed information about channels, interference, speed and supported standards (including Wi-Fi 6E). metageek.com

Let's look at the work using an example WiFi Info View:

  1. Download and run the program (no installation required).
  2. In the main window, find the line with your network (column Adapter Name).
  3. Please note the columns:
    • 🔹 Phy Type — Wi-Fi standard (802.11ac, 802.11ax etc.).
    • 🔹 Link Speed — current connection speed.
    • 🔹 Channel Width — channel width (20/40/80 MHz).

If the program shows a lower speed 150 Mbps when connected to a router with support 802.11ac, check:

  • 🔌 Router settings (legacy compatibility mode may be enabled).
  • 🔄 Adapter drivers (update them through the manufacturer's website).
  • 📡 Wi-Fi channel (manually set a less congested channel in the router settings).

WiFi Info View

NetSpot

InSSIDer

Another option

I don't use utilities-->

4. How to check the speed of a Wi-Fi adapter on a Mac

On computers MacBook And iMac macOS has a built-in tool Wireless Diagnostics, which displays detailed information about the wireless adapter. To open it:

  1. Hold down the key Option (Alt) and click on the Wi-Fi icon in the menu bar.
  2. Select Open Wi-Fi diagnostics (Open Wireless Diagnostics).
  3. In the program menu, go to Window → Utilities (or Window → Utilities).

In the window that opens you will see:

  • 🔹 PHY Mode — Wi-Fi standard (802.11ac, 802.11n etc.).
  • 🔹 Tx Rate — data transfer rate (in Mbps).
  • 🔹 Channel — the channel used and its width.
  • 🔹 RSSI — signal level (the closer to 0, the better).

If the speed (Tx Rate) is significantly lower than expected, try:

  • 🔄 Reconnect to the network (sometimes macOS gets stuck at a low speed after waking up from sleep).
  • 🔌 Turn off Bluetooth (it can interfere with Wi-Fi on some Mac models).
  • 📡 Manually select a channel 5 GHz in the router settings (range 2.4 GHz often overloaded).

5. Testing real speed: Don't confuse the adapter and the internet

Many users are confused Wi-Fi adapter speed (maximum throughput of the module) and Internet speed (which is provided by the provider). To determine the bottleneck, two tests need to be run:

  1. Adapter speed test - shows how quickly the device can exchange data with the router under ideal conditions (excluding provider restrictions).
  2. Internet speed test — checks what traffic actually comes from the network (depending on the tariff and the provider’s load).

For the first test, the utility will do iPerf3 (free, runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux). It measures the speed between two devices on a local network. Instructions:

  1. Install iPerf3 on a computer and smartphone/second computer (both must be connected to the same router).
  2. On one device, start the server: 
    iperf3 -s
  3. On the second device, launch the client (specify the server IP address): 
    iperf3 -c 192.168.1.100

The results will show actual data transfer rate between devices via Wi-Fi. For example:

[ ID] Interval           Transfer     Bitrate

[  5]   0.00-10.00  sec  1.09 GBytes    938 Mbits/sec

If the value is lower 300 Mbps when connected to a router with support 802.11ac, the problem may be in:

  • 🔌 Router settings (obsolete standard, narrow channel).
  • 🔄 Adapter drivers (update them manually from the manufacturer's website).
  • 📡 Interference (neighboring networks, microwave ovens, Bluetooth devices).

6. Why is the adapter working slower than it should?

Even if your Wi-Fi adapter supports 1200 Mbps, in real conditions the speed rarely exceeds 600–800 MbpsThis is influenced by:

Factor Impact on speed How to fix
Wi-Fi standard 802.11n — to 600 Mbps, 802.11ac — to 1733 Mbps, 802.11ax — to 9600 Mbps. Update your router and adapter to Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax).
Channel width 20 MHz — to 200 Mbps, 40 MHz — to 400 Mbps, 80 MHz — to 866 Mbps. Set it in your router settings 80 MHz (if supported).
Distance to the router Every meter and obstacle (walls, furniture) reduces the speed by 10–50%. Use a Wi-Fi repeater or mesh system.
Interference from other networks In apartment buildings there are channels 2.4 GHz often overloaded. Switch to 5 GHz or select a free channel manually.

Critical error: if the adapter shows a speed lower than 54 Mbps, it works in legacy mode 802.11gThis may be due to incorrect router settings or missing drivers. To fix:

  1. Update the adapter driver (download from the manufacturer's website, not through Windows Update).
  2. In the router settings, set the mode 802.11n/ac/ax only (disable support 802.11b/g).
  3. Check if the power saving mode is enabled for the adapter (in the Device Manager, tab Power management).
How do I know which Wi-Fi standard my adapter supports?

Look up the adapter model in Device Manager and find its specifications on the manufacturer's website (for example, Intel, Qualcomm, Broadcom). Or use the utility WiFi Info View - it shows the supported standards in the column Phy Types.

7. Optimizing your Wi-Fi adapter: how to get the most out of it?

If tests show that the adapter is not working at full capacity, try these optimization methods:

  • 🔧 Update your drivers:

    Go to the adapter manufacturer's website (for example, intel.com For Intel Wi-Fi 6 or qualcomm.com For Atheros), find your model and download the latest driver. Automatic Windows updates often install outdated versions.

  • 📡 Set up your router:

    In the router control panel (192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1) install:

    • Mode 802.11ac/ax (turn off 802.11b/g).
    • Channel width 80 MHz (For 5 GHz).
    • Manual channel (use WiFi Analyzer to search for a free channel).

  • 🔄 Turn off power saving:

    In Device Manager, go to adapter properties → tab Power management → uncheck Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power.

For laptops, additional tips:

  • 🔋 If you're using your laptop on battery power, Windows may be limiting the adapter's performance. Connect the charger for maximum speed.
  • 🔌 Turn off Bluetooth when you're not using it—it can interfere with Wi-Fi.
  • 📱 Remove unnecessary networks from the list of saved connections (in Settings → Wi-Fi → Manage known networks).

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about Wi-Fi adapter speed

❓ Why does the adapter show a speed of 866 Mbps, but the internet test only shows 100 Mbps?

This is fine. 866 Mbps — maximum speed between the adapter and the router, A 100 Mbps - limitation of your provider's tariffTo check the actual speed of the adapter, use iPerf3 for testing in a local network.

❓ How do I know if my adapter supports Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax)?

Check the adapter model in Device Manager and check its specifications on the manufacturer's website. Or use the utility WiFi Info View — in the column Phy Types must be specified 802.11ax. Adapters with support Wi-Fi 6 usually have in the name AX (For example, Intel AX200).

❓ Is it possible to increase the adapter speed from 300 Mbps to 1 Gbps?

Depends on the model. If the adapter only supports 802.11n (Max. 600 Mbps), then no. For speed 1 Gbps+ I need an adapter with support 802.11ac (Wave 2) or 802.11ax, as well as a router with similar support. Example adapters: TP-Link Archer TX3000E (2400 Mbps), Asus PCE-AX58BT (3000 Mbps).

❓ Why does the adapter speed drop when connected to 5 GHz?

Possible reasons:

  • 📡 Weak signal (range 5 GHz (it goes through walls worse).
  • 🔄 The adapter driver is not optimized for 5 GHz (update it).
  • 🔌 The router is in the "Secure Mode" mode. 802.11a instead of 802.11ac/ax.

Try switching to a channel 36–48 (they are less busy than 149–165).

❓ How do I check my adapter speed on Linux?

In the terminal, run the command: 

iwconfig

Find your adapter (eg. wlan0) and look at the line Bit RateFor more detailed information, please use:

iw dev wlan0 info

Or install the utility iw and run:

iw wlan0 link

📖 Read also

What is WiFi PHY: Standards, Speed, and Operating Modes A detailed look at WiFi PHY: what it is, how it affects connection speed, and differences between standards Wi-Fi is available on my PC, but not on my phone: troubleshooting Why isn't my Wi-Fi working on my phone, even though it's working fine on my computer? A complete troubleshooting guide. How to Measure Wi-Fi Signal on Android: Accurate Methods Learn how to measure Wi-Fi signal strength on Android. Proven methods using the engineering menu and apps. How to check your router's WiFi standard: ways to check your router's version Detailed instructions on how to find out the WiFi standard (802.11 b/g/n/ac/ax) on Windows, Android, iOS, and routers Why Wi-Fi is bad at home: causes and solutions Find out why your Wi-Fi is bad at home. A breakdown of the causes of slow internet, interference, and router errors. Effective Why Wi-Fi Slows Down: 7 Reasons for Slow Internet and How to Speed ​​It Up Is your Wi-Fi internet loading slowly? We'll explore the real reasons—from an overloaded channel to problems.