How to Speed ​​Up Wi-Fi on a Laptop: Proven Methods for 2026

Slow Wi-Fi on a laptop is a problem that every second user faces. You're trying to download a file, watch a video in 4K Or you're playing online, and the page freezes, buffering is slow, and your ping is off the charts. The causes could lie in your laptop's settings, your router's settings, or even physical interference. But the good news is: in 90% of cases, you can improve your speed without buying new hardware.

In this article we will look at 10 proven methodsHow to speed up Wi-Fi on a laptop - from basic (restarting the router) to advanced (setting up QoS and change DNS). You'll learn which parameters affect speed the most, how to diagnose the problem, and what to do if none of the methods help. All instructions are relevant for Windows 10/11, macOS and most router models (TP-Link, ASUS, Keenetic, MikroTik).

Before you start making any adjustments, check your current Wi-Fi speed using services like Speedtest or FAST.comRecord the results so you can evaluate the effectiveness of each method. And remember: if the problem only affects one device, and the other gadgets are working fine, the laptop, not the router, is most likely to blame.

1. Restart your router and laptop – a simple method that works in 30% of cases

It sounds trivial, but rebooting equipment Eliminates temporary network glitches. Routers, especially budget ones, can freeze after extended use, and laptop Wi-Fi adapter drivers can conflict with other processes. Here's how to do it correctly:

• 🔌 Turn off the router's power (Unplug the device, don't press the power button.) Wait 30 seconds—this will allow the capacitors to discharge and the cache to clear.
• 🖥️ Restart your laptop through the menu Start → Shutdown → RestartDon't use Fast Startup in Windows—it saves the state of your drivers.
• 🔄 Turn the router back on and wait until it fully boots (usually takes 1–2 minutes). The indicators should be steady, not blinking.

After rebooting, check the speed again. If it increases, the problem was temporary. If not, move on to the next method. By the way, some routers (for example, ASUS RT-AX88U) have an automatic reboot function on a schedule - it can be configured in the web interface in the section Administration → System Tools.

⚠️ Attention: If Wi-Fi doesn't work at all after rebooting your router (no network), check to see if your settings have been reset. The router may have been reset to factory settings, in which case you'll need to reconfigure your internet connection.

2. Check your Wi-Fi channel and change it in your router settings.

One of the main "brakes" of Wi-Fi is congested channelsIn apartment buildings, dozens of routers broadcast on the same frequencies, creating interference. If your router is on a busy channel, your speed can drop by 2-3 times. The solution is to manually select the least busy channel.

First, determine which channels are free. To do this:

1. Download the utility WiFi Analyzer (Android) or NetSpot (Windows/macOS).
2. Run the scan - the program will show a graph of channel load for the ranges 2.4 GHz And 5 GHz.
3. Select a channel with a minimum number of intersections (for 2.4 GHz 1, 6 or 11 are optimal; for 5 GHz - any of the free ones).

Now change the channel in the router settings:

1. Open the router's web interface (usually at 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1). The login and password are indicated on the device sticker.
2. Go to the section Wireless network or Wi-Fi.
3. Find the parameter Channel and select a free one from the list. For 5 GHz can also be turned on Auto, if the router supports DFS- channels (they are less loaded, but not all devices support them).
4. Save the settings and reboot the router.

If your router has this feature Smart Connect (smart switching between 2.4 And 5 GHz), it is better to disable it - it sometimes connects devices to a less optimal range.

3. Update your laptop's Wi-Fi adapter drivers

Outdated or corrupted drivers are a common cause of slow Wi-Fi. Manufacturers regularly release updates that fix compatibility issues and add support for new standards (e.g., Wi-Fi 6). Check the driver version and update it if necessary.

There are two ways to do this:

• 🔧 Via Device Manager (suitable for most users):
1. Click Win + X and select device Manager.
2. Expand the section Network adapters.
3. Find your Wi-Fi adapter (e.g. Intel Wi-Fi 6 AX200 or Qualcomm Atheros QCA61x4).
4. Right click → Update driver → Automatic search.

🌐 From the manufacturer's official website (recommended for older laptops):

1. Find out the adapter model (see point 3 above).
2. Go to the manufacturer's website (Intel, Qualcomm, Broadcom, Realtek).
3. Download the latest driver for your OS.
4. Install it manually following the instructions.

After updating, restart your laptop and check the speed. If the driver has been updated but the problem persists, try roll it back to the previous version (Sometimes new versions contain bugs). To do this, Device Manager select Adapter Properties → Driver → Roll Back Driver.

⚠️ Attention: If Wi-Fi is completely lost after updating the driver, use a cable connection or another device to download the previous driver version. Also, check if the adapter is disabled in BIOS (rarely, but it happens).

I found out the adapter model in Device Manager.

Updated the driver via Windows Update

Downloaded the latest version from the manufacturer's website

Rebooted the laptop after installation

Checked the Wi-Fi speed-->

4. Change the Wi-Fi standard and adapter operating mode

Modern routers support several Wi-Fi standards: 802.11n (Wi-Fi 4), 802.11ac (Wi-Fi 5) and 802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6). If your router and laptop support Wi-Fi 6, but the settings are set to an outdated standard, the speed will be limited. The same applies to the adapter's operating mode—it may operate in compatibility mode, reducing performance.

How to set up:

To change the adapter operating mode on a laptop:

1. Open device Manager → Network adapters.
2. Right-click on your Wi-Fi adapter → Properties → tab Additionally.
3. Find the parameters Wireless Mode, 802.11n/ac Wireless Mode or Preferred Band.
4. Set value Prefer 5GHz or 802.11ac (if available).

If your adapter does not support Wi-Fi 6, but the router - yes, the speed will still increase due to traffic optimization for other devices on the network.

What should I do if my router settings don't include Wi-Fi 6?

If your router does not support 802.11ax, but the laptop has a Wi-Fi 6 adapter (for example, Intel AX200), you can still improve the speed:

- Set the standard 802.11ac (Wi-Fi 5) - it's faster 802.11n.

- Turn it on MU-MIMO in the router settings (if any).

- Use it WPA3 instead of WPA2 for encryption (less overhead).

5. Optimize your Wi-Fi adapter's power settings

By default, Windows limits Wi-Fi adapter power consumption to conserve battery life. This can reduce speed, especially on weak signals. If your laptop is connected to a network, you can disable this mode.

How to change a power plan:

1. Open Control Panel → Power Options.
2. Click Setting up a power plan next to the active plan.
3. Select Change advanced power settings.
4. Expand the section Wireless Network Adapter Settings → Power saving mode.
5. Set value Maximum performance for both states (battery and mains).

Also check your adapter settings in Device Manager:

1. Open the Wi-Fi adapter properties → tab Power management.
2. Uncheck the box Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power.

These changes are especially relevant for laptops with adapters Realtek And Broadcom, which often suffer from energy saving problems. macOS similar settings are in System Preferences → Energy Saver.

⚠️ Attention: If after disabling power saving your laptop starts to get hotter or drain its battery faster, revert the settings back. Alternatively, use the power saving mode. Maximum performance only when connected to the network.

6. Use Google DNS or Cloudflare to speed up website loading

Slow internet isn't always due to Wi-Fi - sometimes it's the fault of DNS servers your ISP. They may be overloaded or located far away from you, causing websites to take longer to load. The solution is to use public DNS, such as Google DNS or Cloudflare DNS.

How to change DNS on a laptop:

1. Open Control Panel → Network and Internet → Network and Sharing Center.
2. Click on your Wi-Fi connection → Properties.
3. Select Internet Protocol version 4 (TCP/IPv4) → Properties.
4. Set the switch to Use the following DNS server addresses.
5. Enter:
   • For Google DNS: 8.8.8.8 And 8.8.4.4
   • For Cloudflare DNS: 1.1.1.1 And 1.0.0.1

Click OK and restart your laptop.

You can also change the DNS directly on the router—then the new settings will apply to all devices on the network. To do this:

1. Open the router's web interface.
2. Go to the section Internet (WAN) or DNS.
3. Enter addresses Google DNS or Cloudflare DNS into the fields Primary DNS And Secondary DNS.
4. Save the settings and reboot the router.

To check if changing DNS helped, use the command in Command line:

ping ya.ru

If the response time (time=...) has decreased, DNS works faster.

7. Disable background programs that consume traffic

Many apps run in the background, silently draining your Wi-Fi speed. These include:

• 📥 Windows/macOS Updates (especially if they are downloaded in the background).
• ☁️ Cloud services (Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive).
• 🎮 Game launchers (Steam, Epic Games, Battle.net).
• 📊 Torrents (uTorrent, qBittorrent).
• 🔄 Automatic software updates (For example, NVIDIA GeForce Experience).

How to find and disable traffic hogs:

1. Open Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc).
2. Go to the tab Net and sort the processes by column Network (Mbps).
3. Close programs that consume a lot of traffic (right-click → Remove task).

For continuous monitoring, you can use utilities like GlassWire or NetBalancer - They show which application uses how much traffic in real time.

If the problem is with Windows updates:

1. Open Settings → Update & Security → Windows Update.
2. Click Advanced Options → Delivery Optimization.
3. Disable the option Allow downloads from other computers.
4. Set the bandwidth limit in the section Delivery options.

8. Check for physical interference and router location

Even the most advanced settings won't help if The Wi-Fi signal is blocked by physical obstaclesConcrete walls, metal structures, microwaves, and even aquariums can weaken the signal. The optimal location for the router is in the center of the apartment, on a raised platform (such as a cabinet), away from appliances.

What influences the signal:

• 🧱 Walls and ceilings: 2.4 GHz passes through obstacles better, but slower; 5 GHz faster, but penetrates walls worse.
• 📡 Other routersIn apartment buildings, neighboring networks can interfere. Use channels with minimal congestion (see section 2).
• 🔌 Electrical appliances: Microwaves, cordless phones (DECT), wireless speakers operate at a frequency 2.4 GHz and interfere with Wi-Fi.
• 🌿 Plants and aquariumsWater absorbs radio signals. Avoid placing the router near large indoor plants.

How to improve coverage:

• 📶 Move the router closer to the laptop (the ideal distance is up to 10 meters without obstacles).
• 🔄 Replace your router's antennas with more powerful ones (if they are removable).
• 🛡️ Use Mesh systems (For example, TP-Link Deco or Google Nest WiFi) for large apartments.
• 🔌 Connect your laptop to the router via Powerline adapter (signal transmission via electrical wiring).

If your laptop is far from the router, try using 5 GHz only for devices in one room, and for the rest - 2.4 GHzYou can also enable the function in the router settings. Beamforming (if any) - it focuses the signal on connected devices.

What is a Mesh system?

Mesh system — a set of multiple access points that automatically switch devices between each other, ensuring a stable signal throughout the entire apartment. Unlike traditional repeaters, Mesh systems don't reduce speed or create separate networks. Popular models: TP-Link Deco X20, ASUS ZenWiFi, Netgear Orbi.

FAQ: Answers to Frequently Asked Questions

🔍 Why is Wi-Fi on my laptop slower than on my phone?

This may be due to several factors:

• It's turned on on the phone. 5 GHz, and the laptop is connected to 2.4 GHz (check in Wi-Fi settings).
• The Wi-Fi drivers on your laptop are out of date (update them, see section 3).
• There are background programs running on the laptop that consume traffic (see section 7).
• The laptop adapter is weaker than the one in the phone (especially relevant for older models).

First, check what range your laptop is connected to, then update your drivers and disable unnecessary programs.

🖥️ How do I know if my laptop supports Wi-Fi 6?

There are several ways:

1. Check your Wi-Fi adapter model Device Manager (See Section 3). If the title contains AX (For example, Intel Wi-Fi 6 AX200), then it supports.
2. Check the laptop specifications on the manufacturer's website - look for the mention 802.11ax or Wi-Fi 6.
3. Use the command in Command line:

   netsh wlan show drivers

   Look for the line Radio type - if there is one there 802.11ax, then yes.

Even if your laptop doesn't support Wi-Fi 6, a router with this standard can speed up the performance of other devices on the network.

📶 What to do if none of the methods helped?

If your Wi-Fi speed remains low after all these steps, try:

• Connect your laptop to the router via Ethernet cable — if the cable speed is normal, the problem is in Wi-Fi.
• Test another laptop or phone on the same Wi-Fi network. If they have the same problem, the router or ISP is to blame.
• Contact your provider's technical support - your speed may be limited by your plan or there may be problems with the line.
• Buy USB Wi-Fi adapter (For example, TP-Link Archer T4U) - it often works faster than the built-in one.
• Update your router firmware (see instructions on the manufacturer's website).

If the problem only affects one laptop, its Wi-Fi adapter may be faulty. In this case, only a replacement or an external adapter will help.

🔒 Is it safe to change router settings?

Yes, if you're careful about what you change. The main risks are:

• Factory reset (if pressed) Reset on the router or the configuration is saved incorrectly).
• Internet disconnection if configured incorrectly WAN-connection.
• Decreased security if you disable encryption or set a weak password.

To avoid problems:

• Before making any changes, write down your current settings (take a picture of the screen).
• Do not change parameters whose purpose you do not understand.
• Always save settings and reboot your router after making changes.

If something goes wrong, most routers can be reset to factory settings by holding down the reset button. Reset for 10 seconds.

🌐 Which router should I buy for maximum Wi-Fi speed?

Choosing a router depends on your needs and budget. Recommendations:

Budget	Model	Peculiarities	For whom
Up to 3,000 ₽	TP-Link Archer C6	Dual-band, Wi-Fi 5, 1200 Mbps	Apartments up to 50 m², basic tasks
5 000–8 000 ₽	ASUS RT-AX55	Wi-Fi 6, OFDMA, MU-MIMO, 1800 Mbps	Games, streaming, apartments up to 100 m²
10 000–15 000 ₽	Keenetic Ultra II	Wi-Fi 6, dual-core processor, Mesh-support	Multi-room apartments, smart home
From 20,000 ₽	ASUS RT-A 📖 Read also Wi-Fi Speed: Standards, Tests, and Impact on the Internet What should WiFi speed be? We explore standards for gaming, 4K, and work. How to measure actual throughput How to speed up a Beeline Wi-Fi router: 12 working methods (2026) A step-by-step guide to optimizing your Beeline router's speed: from changing the channel to updating the firmware. How to Choose a Wi-Fi Adapter for Your PC: 7 Key Parameters (2026) A detailed guide to choosing a USB Wi-Fi adapter for your computer: standards, speed, compatibility How to connect a TP-Link extender: step-by-step instructions Complete instructions for setting up a TP-Link Wi-Fi repeater. Eliminate dead zones, boost your signal, and expand your range. Tattelecom's normal WiFi speed: which plan to choose? What is a reasonable Tattelecom internet speed for home use? Tariff analysis, WiFi tests, and router impact How to set up the D-Link DIR-615 as a repeater: full instructions A step-by-step guide on how to turn your D-Link DIR-615 router into a WiFi repeater. Configuring cli mode 🍪 We use cookies to improve website performance. Accept