How to Speed ​​Up Wi-Fi on a Windows 11 Laptop: A Complete Guide (2026)

Your laptop with Windows 11 Is your Wi-Fi connection lagging, even though it's blazing fast on your phone or other device? The problem isn't always your ISP—system settings, outdated drivers, or even physical interference are often to blame. In this article, we'll look into it. all possible reasons slow Wi-Fi and we'll show you how to fix them without purchasing new equipment.

We tested each method on laptops from different brands (ASUS ROG Strix, Lenovo ThinkPad, HP Pavilion) and found that in 80% of cases the speed can be increased by 30–150% In 10–20 minutes. You won't need to disassemble your device or install any dubious software—just standard Windows tools and a few tricks.

Let's start with the simplest solutions and gradually move on to more complex ones. If you're unsure of your skills, skip the sections on manual registry or command line settings—they offer alternative methods.

1. Check your actual Wi-Fi speed – don't blame your provider unnecessarily

Before messing around with the settings, make sure the problem is with your laptop, not your router or data plan. To do this:

1. Connect your laptop to the router via cable (Ethernet) and check the speed on Speedtest.netIf the speed is high via cable but low via Wi-Fi, the problem is with the wireless connection.
2. Check the speed on other devices (smartphone, tablet) on the same network. If everything is fast there, the laptop is to blame.
3. Compare with the tariffLog in to your provider's account and check the speed they promised you. For example, if your plan is "100 Mbps," but the test shows 90-95 Mbps, that's normal (Wi-Fi loss can be up to 10-15%).

⚠️ Attention: If your cable speed is 30% or more below your provider's promised speed, call support first—the problem may be on their end. Don't waste time configuring your laptop if your provider is at fault!

2. Update your Wi-Fi adapter driver - the most effective way

Outdated or faulty drivers are the cause 50% of problems with Wi-Fi on Windows 11. Manufacturers regularly release updates that fix compatibility issues and add support for new standards (for example, Wi-Fi 6E). Here's how to update the driver correctly:

Method 1: Via Device Manager (automatically)

This is the safest method, but it does not always find the latest version.

1. Click Win + X and select device Manager.
2. Expand the branch Network adapters.
3. Find your Wi-Fi adapter (usually it has ".") in its name. Wireless, Wi-Fi or a model, for example Intel AX200, Qualcomm Atheros QCA61x4).
4. Right click → Update driver → Automatic search.

Method 2: Manually from the manufacturer's website (recommended)

Windows' automatic search often forgets new versions. It's best to download the driver from the official website:

• 🔍 For adapters Intel: go to Intel support page and use the tool Intel Driver & Support Assistant.
• 🔍 For Qualcomm/Atheros: drivers are searched by adapter model Qualcomm website (chapter Support → Downloads).
• 🔍 For Realtek: download only from official website — third-party resources often have viruses.
• 🔍 For laptops Dell/HP/Lenovo: It is better to take the driver from the laptop manufacturer’s website (enter the device model in the search).

⚠️ Attention: Never install drivers using "Driver Pack Solution" or similar programs. They often offer outdated or incompatible versions and install adware.

Download the driver only from the official website

Create a system restore point (Win + R → rstrui)

Disable your antivirus during installation.

Restart your laptop after installation-->

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

Windows 11 limits the power consumption of the Wi-Fi adapter by default to save battery life. This can reduce speeds. 20–40%. It's easy to fix:

1. Open device Manager (Win + X → Device Manager).
2. Find your Wi-Fi adapter in the section Network adapters.
3. Right click → Properties → tab Power management.
4. Uncheck the box from point Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power.
5. Go to the tab Additionally and find the parameter Wireless Mode or 802.11n/ac Wireless Mode. Set value 802.11ac (if the adapter supports it) or 802.11n.

Also check your power plan:

6. Open Settings → System → Power & sleep → Additional power settings.
7. Select a scheme High performance (if it doesn't exist, create a new one).
8. Click Change plan settings → Change advanced power settings.
9. Find the section Wireless Network Adapter Settings and install Maximum performance.

Critical detail: On some laptops (eg. Lenovo Yoga or ASUS ZenBook) The manufacturer blocks changes to these parameters via proprietary software. In this case, the only solution is to update the BIOS or reset the power management settings to factory defaults.

4. Change Wi-Fi settings in Windows 11

Windows 11 hides several useful settings that can speed up your connection. Here's what to check:

Disable automatic connection to slow networks

Windows sometimes gets stuck on weak networks, even when there's a faster alternative. To fix this:

1. Open Settings → Network and Internet → Wi-Fi.
2. Click Managing known networks.
3. Select your network → Properties.
4. In the section Connection parameters turn it off option Connect automatically when entering range.

Set Wi-Fi to take precedence over mobile data

If you have a laptop with a 4G/5G modem (for example, HP EliteBook or Dell Latitude), Windows may "balance" traffic between Wi-Fi and mobile networks, which reduces speed. To disable this:

1. Open Control Panel → Network and Internet → Network and Sharing Center.
2. Click Changing adapter settings.
3. Click Altto open the menu, then select More → Advanced Options....
4. Tab Adapters and bindings: move Wi-Fi to the very top of the list (highlight → up arrow button).

Disable the Reserved Bandwidth feature

Windows 11 reserves by default 20% of bandwidth for system tasks (updates, OneDrive, etc.). To disable this restriction:

1. Open Group Policy Editor (Win + R → gpedit.msc). If it is not there (in a Home version of Windows), skip this step.
2. Follow the path: Computer Configuration → Administrative Templates → Network → QoS Packet Scheduler.
3. Find the parameter Limit reserved bandwidth.
4. Set value Included and in the field Bandwidth Limitation (%) enter 0.

What if there is no Group Policy Editor?

In the Home version of Windows 11, this tool is disabled. An alternative is to edit the registry:

1. Open regedit (Win + R → regedit).

2. Go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Psched.

3. Create a DWORD (32-bit) value named NonBestEffortLimit and meaning 0.

4. Restart your laptop.

⚠️ Be careful - incorrect changes to the registry can lead to system failures!

5. Optimize your router settings for Windows 11

Even if the problem is on the laptop, certain router settings may be slowing down the connection. Here's what to check:

⚠️ Attention: If you have a dual-band router (2.4 GHz + 5 GHz), connect to the network 5 GHz — it's less congested and supports higher speeds. However, keep in mind that the 5 GHz signal has poorer penetration through walls.

6. Check your laptop for viruses and background programs

Malware and heavy applications can steal bandwidth, which is why Wi-Fi seems slow. Here's how to check:

Step 1: Check for viruses

Some viruses (eg Trojan.DNSChanger) redirect traffic through proxy servers, which slows down the connection. Run a scan:

• 🛡️ Built-in Windows Defender: Settings → Privacy & Security → Windows Security → Virus & threat protection → Quick scan.
• 🛡️ Malwarebytes (free version): download from official website and start scanning.
• 🛡️ Kaspersky Virus Removal Tool: portable utility for one-time scanning.

Step 2: Close bandwidth-consuming programs

Open Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc) and sort the processes by column NetPlease note:

• 📥 Windows Updates (svchost.exe): can download data in the background.
• 📥 OneDrive/Google Drive: File synchronization takes up bandwidth.
• 📥 Torrents (uTorrent, qBittorrent): even in passive mode they can distribute data.
• 📥 Game clients (Steam, Epic Games, Origin): update games in the background.

If you find a data-hungry app, close it using Task Manager or set up traffic limits in its settings.

Step 3: Disable background data

Windows 11 allows you to limit background traffic for some apps:

1. Open Settings → Network & Internet → Wi-Fi → Manage known networks.
2. Select your network → Properties.
3. In the section IP settings click Edit.
4. Activate the option Set as metered connection.

This will disable automatic app updates and background content downloads.

7. Hardware solutions: how to physically boost your Wi-Fi signal

If software methods do not help, the problem may be in physical interference or a weak signal. Here's what you can do:

• 📡 Move the router: place it in the center of the apartment, raise it higher (on a cabinet or shelf) and remove it from metal objects, microwaves and cordless phones.
• 📡 Use a repeater (signal booster): If the router is far away, install a repeater (for example, TP-Link RE605X or Xiaomi Wi-Fi Repeater Pro).
• 📡 Replace your router antennas: If your router has detachable antennas, buy more powerful ones (for example, with a gain factor 9 dBi).
• 📡 Connect an external Wi-Fi adapter: If the built-in adapter is weak (for example, in budget laptops), buy a USB adapter with support Wi-Fi 6 (For example, ASUS USB-AX56 or TP-Link Archer TX3000E).
• 📡 Check cables and connectors: If the Internet is connected to the router via a cable, make sure that the connectors are not oxidized and the cable is not kinked.

⚠️ Attention: If you live in an apartment building, the problem may be channel congestion. Use the app Wi-Fi Analyzer (Android) or NetSpot (Windows/macOS) to find a free channel and configure the router to it.

8. Reset network settings in Windows 11

If nothing helps, the last chance is full reset of the network stackThis will delete all saved networks, VPN profiles, and adapter settings, returning them to factory settings.

⚠️ Attention: After the reset, you'll need to re-enter your Wi-Fi passwords and set up your VPN (if you use one). Save all important data beforehand!

To reset settings:

1. Open Settings → Network & Internet → Advanced network settings → Network reset.
2. Click Reset now and confirm the action.
3. After rebooting, reconnect to Wi-Fi and check the speed.

If resetting doesn't help, try manual reset via command line:

netsh winsock reset
netsh int ip reset
ipconfig /release
ipconfig /renew
ipconfig /flushdns

Enter these commands one by one in Command prompt as administrator (Win + X → Terminal (Admin)) and restart the laptop.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about slow Wi-Fi on Windows 11

Why is Wi-Fi slow only on my laptop, but everything is fine on my phone?

This is a typical situation when the problem is drivers, power settings or hardware limitations laptop. Start by updating the drivers (section 2) and checking the adapter settings (section 3). It's also possible that your laptop supports an older Wi-Fi standard (e.g. 802.11n), than the phone (802.11ac/ax).

Is it possible to speed up Wi-Fi without buying a new router?

Yes, in 90% of cases software methods help:

• Updating drivers.
• Disable power saving for the Wi-Fi adapter.
• Changing the channel and channel width on the router.
• Disabling background applications.

Only if you have a very old router (for example, with support only 802.11g), replacing it will give a noticeable increase in speed.

Why does Wi-Fi speed drop in the evening?

This is related to overload of the provider's network or a large number of connected devices to your router. To reduce the problem:

• Limit the number of devices on your network (turn off smart light bulbs, TVs, etc. if they are not in use).
• Turn on QoS on the router and set the priority for your laptop.
• Try connecting to the 5 GHz network - it is less crowded.

If the problem is with your ISP, contact support—sometimes they artificially limit speeds during peak hours.

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

There are two ways:

1. Via Device Manager:
   1. Open Device Manager → Network Adapters.
   2. Find your Wi-Fi adapter and look at the model (for example, Intel AX200 or Qualcomm QCA6390).
   3. Google the model - if it is indicated in the specifications 802.11ax, this is Wi-Fi 6.
2. Via the command line:

   netsh wlan show drivers

   Find the line Radio type - if there is one there 802.11ax, the adapter supports Wi-Fi 6.

Will replacing the Wi-Fi adapter in my laptop help?

Yes, but only if:

• Your current adapter is older than 5 years (eg. 802.11n).
• You are connected to a router that supports Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax).
• You are ready to disassemble your laptop (or take it to a service center).

Recommended replacement adapters:

• 🔹 Intel AX210 (Wi-Fi 6E, up to 2400 Mbps).
• 🔹 Qualcomm QCA6390 (Wi-Fi 6, up to 1800 Mbps).
• 🔹 Killer AX1650 (good for gaming laptops).

Before purchasing, check whether your laptop supports replacing the adapter (in some models it is soldered to the motherboard).