If your wired internet connection is not performing the way it should, you are not alone. In this guide, you will learn a step by step process to boost Ethernet speed and performance, from checking cable types and ports to resetting adapters, adjusting Windows settings, updating drivers, disabling VPNs, and scanning for malware. Follow the steps in order, run a wired speed test after each change, and you will quickly see which fixes give you the best results.
Before you change anything, start with a wired speed test. Connect your device directly to the router with an Ethernet cable, then run a speed test using a reputable website or app. This gives you a baseline so you know your starting point. As you work through the rest of the steps, repeat the wired speed test to see what actually improves your download and upload speeds.
The type of Ethernet cable you use can either unlock your full internet speed or hold it back. Look closely at the writing on the cable jacket to see what category it is labeled as.
Old or low quality cables can cause slower speeds and packet loss. If you are still using Cat 5 or an older or worn Cat 5e or Cat 6 cable, upgrade to a new, good quality Cat 5e or Cat 6 cable.
Even if you have the right cable type, physical damage can ruin performance. Carefully check:
If anything looks suspicious, replace the cable and run another wired speed test.
A failing or overloaded port on your router or switch can cause slow Ethernet speeds. If your cable is plugged into a router or network switch, unplug it and move it to a different port. Test your speeds again to see if the new port performs better.
Extra devices in the path, such as unmanaged switches, Ethernet extenders, or powerline adapters, can introduce bottlenecks. For testing, simplify the path as much as possible:
If your speeds increase when everything is bypassed, you have found a weak link in your network chain.
Sometimes the simplest fix is a restart. If your Ethernet connected PC, laptop, or game console is acting up, perform a full restart. This can clear temporary glitches in the network adapter or operating system.
If restarting the device does not help, reset your network hardware in this order:
After a couple of minutes, run another wired speed test to see if the reset resolved your slow Ethernet problem.
Windows often prioritizes power saving over performance. This can throttle your Ethernet port. To turn this off:
Click OK, then test your wired speed again.
If speeds are still not where they should be, reset the network adapter:
This can clear out corrupted settings that cause speed problems.
Most operating systems provide a built in network troubleshooter. Run the troubleshooter for your Ethernet adapter and let it automatically detect and repair common issues. If it finds and fixes a problem, run your wired speed test again.
Outdated drivers or firmware can limit performance and cause instability. To keep everything current:
After updating, restart your equipment and re test your Ethernet speed.
VPNs encrypt traffic and route it through remote servers. This is great for privacy, but it can reduce maximum speeds. Turn off your VPN temporarily and run another wired speed test. If your speeds jump up, you have found at least part of the bottleneck.
Malware and unwanted software can consume bandwidth and system resources in the background. Run a full system scan using trusted security tools such as:
Remove any threats they find, restart your device, and perform one more wired speed test.
After working through these steps, most people see a noticeable improvement in their wired internet speed. If you still experience slow Ethernet performance, the issue may be with your internet service provider or with hardware that needs to be replaced. At that point, contact your ISP for a line test or consider professional support for more advanced troubleshooting.
In this video I walk through every practical step you can take to boost your Ethernet speed and performance as quickly as possible. The goal is to help you get the fastest and most stable wired connection on your PC, laptop, or gaming console.
Start by running a wired speed test. Connect your device directly to the router with an Ethernet cable and use a trusted speed test website or app. This gives you a baseline so you know what speeds you are getting right now. As you work through each fix, repeat the wired speed test so you can see which changes actually improve your download and upload speeds.
The first real troubleshooting step is to check your cable type. Look at the printing on the jacket of your Ethernet cable to see what category it is. If you are using a Cat 5 cable, replace it right away with at least Cat 5e or Cat 6. Older or outdated cables can seriously slow down your speeds and even cause packet loss. In fact, if your Cat 5e or Cat 6 cable is very old or low quality, it can still be worth replacing it with a new, good quality cable.
Next, inspect the Ethernet cable for physical damage. Check both connectors and the entire length of the cable. Look for bent or broken clips, sharp kinks, crushed sections, or any spots where the cable has been pinched or worn. If you see anything suspicious, replace that cable immediately and test again.
If the cable looks fine, move on to the ports. If your Ethernet cable is plugged into a router or a switch, try moving it to a different port. Sometimes a single bad or overloaded port can cause slow speeds. After you switch ports, run another wired speed test to see if performance improves.
After that, bypass any extra network devices. If your Ethernet cable currently runs through an unmanaged switch, an extender, or a powerline adapter, temporarily remove those devices from the path. Plug the cable directly into a LAN port on your router. If your speeds are still slow when connected directly, you know the problem is not caused by those devices. If speeds improve, you have found a bottleneck.
At this point, restart the device that is having Ethernet issues. A simple restart of your PC, laptop, or gaming console can clear minor glitches in the network adapter or operating system that affect speed. Once the device has restarted, run another speed test.
If the problem continues, perform a full network reset by power cycling your equipment. Unplug the modem, router, and any switches in your home network. Wait about sixty seconds. Then plug the modem back in and allow it to boot up completely. After that, plug the router back in, wait for it to come online, and finally power up any switches. Give everything a couple of minutes to stabilize, then run your wired speed test again.
On a Windows PC, you should also check for power saving features that can throttle your Ethernet port. Open Device Manager, expand the Network adapters section, and open the properties for your Ethernet adapter. On the Power Management tab, uncheck the option that allows the computer to turn off the device to save power. This prevents Windows from putting your Ethernet adapter to sleep and potentially slowing it down.
If speeds are still not where they should be, reset the network adapter. Open your Network and Internet settings, go to the advanced or status section, and use the option to reset the network adapter or perform a full network reset. This clears out corrupted network settings that can cause speed problems.
You can also run the built in network troubleshooter. Use the troubleshooter for your Ethernet connection and let it automatically detect and fix common issues. If it reports and resolves a problem, test your wired speed again to see the difference.
Another important step is to update your network drivers and device firmware. Outdated drivers for your Ethernet adapter or old firmware on your router or modem can limit performance. Download and install the latest Ethernet driver from your PC or motherboard manufacturer, and check the router manufacturer website for firmware updates. After updating, restart your equipment and test your connection.
If you are running a VPN, disable it temporarily and test again. VPNs encrypt and reroute your traffic, which can slow down your connection. By turning the VPN off for a moment and running a wired speed test, you can see whether the VPN is part of the bottleneck.
The final troubleshooting step is to check your device for malware. Malicious software and unwanted programs can consume bandwidth and system resources in the background, which slows everything down. Run a full system scan using trusted security tools such as Bitdefender or Malwarebytes. Remove any threats they find, restart your device, and perform one last wired speed test.
After you finish all of these steps, your Ethernet connected device should be running at or near its maximum possible speed. If you still have issues with your internet connection even after going through the entire process, the problem may be on your provider side or with hardware that needs to be replaced. In that case, contact your internet service provider for additional support or consider professional h
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