Your PC's internet speed depends on your router, your connection type, and what your PC is doing in the background

A slow internet connection on your PC usually comes from one of three places: the connection itself (your ISP or router), the PC's hardware or settings, or programs running in the background that consume bandwidth. The fastest way to find the culprit is to test your connection speed, check what's using your network, and restart your router. Most slow-internet problems clear up once you identify which of these three is the bottleneck.

Before you call your internet provider, run a speed test on your PC using Speedtest.net or Fast.com. Write down the read and upload speeds you see. Then compare them to the speeds your ISP promised you in your service agreement. If your actual speeds are much lower than what you're paying for, the problem is upstream — your connection or router. If speeds are close to what you pay for, the problem is on your PC.

Key Takeaways

  • Restart your router by unplugging it for 30 seconds, then plugging it back in — this fixes roughly half of all slow-connection complaints.
  • Run a speed test at Speedtest.net and compare the results to your ISP's promised speeds; if they match, the problem is on your PC, not your connection.
  • Check Task Manager (Ctrl+Shift+Esc) under the Performance tab to see which programs are using your network right now.
  • Move your PC closer to your router or switch to a wired Ethernet cable if you are using Wi-Fi, since distance and interference slow wireless connections significantly.
  • Disable Windows Update, cloud sync services, and antivirus scans while you work if they are running in the background and consuming bandwidth.

Restart your router and move closer to it

The first step is always to restart your router. Unplug it from power, wait 30 seconds, and plug it back in. Let it boot fully — usually two to three minutes — before testing your connection again. A restart clears the router's memory and resets its connection to your ISP, and it solves the problem in roughly half of all cases.

If you are using Wi-Fi, move your PC closer to the router or move the router to a more central location in your home. Wi-Fi signal weakens with distance and through walls, especially concrete, metal, and water pipes. If your PC is in a bedroom and your router is in a closet on the other side of the house, that distance alone can cut your speed in half. The fastest and most reliable fix is to plug your PC directly into the router with an Ethernet cable if that is possible.

Check what programs are using your network

Open Task Manager by pressing Ctrl+Shift+Esc. Click the Performance tab, then click Network on the left side. You will see a graph showing your network usage over time and a list of programs using the network right now. Look for programs consuming large amounts of bandwidth — anything showing sustained activity in the graph or high numbers in the "Speed" column.

Common culprits include Windows Update (which downloads patches in the background), OneDrive or Google Drive (which sync files continuously), antivirus software running a scan, or streaming services like Netflix or YouTube running on another device on your network. If you see Windows Update running, go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update and click Pause Updates for 7 days. If you see a cloud sync service, pause it temporarily in its settings. Close or pause these programs, then test your speed again.

Check for malware and viruses

Malware and viruses can consume bandwidth by sending data to remote servers without your knowledge. Run a full scan with Windows Defender (built into Windows) or a third-party antivirus tool like Malwarebytes. Open Windows Defender by typing "Windows Defender" into your Start menu, click Virus & Threat Protection, then click Scan Options and select Full Scan. A full scan takes 30 minutes to several hours depending on your PC's size and speed.

If you find infections, remove them and restart your PC. If you do not find anything but your speed is still slow, the problem is likely not malware. However, if your PC suddenly became slow and you recently visited unfamiliar websites or downloaded files from untrusted sources, run the scan anyway — malware does not always show obvious symptoms.

Update your network drivers

Your PC's network adapter (the hardware that connects to Wi-Fi or Ethernet) needs a driver — software that tells Windows how to use it. Outdated drivers can cause slow speeds or connection drops. Right-click the Start button, click Device Manager, and expand Network Adapters. Right-click your network adapter (usually something like "Realtek Ethernet Controller" or "Intel Wireless-AC"), click Update Driver, then click Search Automatically for Updated Driver Software.

Windows will search for and install the latest driver if one is available. Restart your PC after the update completes. If no update is found, visit the manufacturer's website — look for the adapter model number in Device Manager — and read the latest driver from there. Outdated drivers are less common as a cause of slow internet than background programs or router problems, but they are worth checking if nothing else has worked.

Reduce interference and switch Wi-Fi channels

If you are using Wi-Fi, other devices and networks nearby can interfere with your signal. Microwaves, cordless phones, baby monitors, and neighboring Wi-Fi networks all operate on the same frequencies (2.4 GHz or 5 GHz) and can slow your connection. Move your router away from these devices, or switch to a less crowded Wi-Fi channel.

To change your Wi-Fi channel, log into your router's settings. Open a web browser and type 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1 into the address bar (check your router's label if neither works). Log in with your router's username and password (also on the label). Look for Wireless Settings or Wi-Fi Settings, then find the Channel option. Try channels 1, 6, or 11 on the 2.4 GHz band, or any channel on the 5 GHz band — they do not overlap as much. Save your changes and reconnect to Wi-Fi.

Check your ISP's service status and contact them if speeds are still low

If your speed test shows speeds much lower than what your ISP promised, and restarting your router did not help, the problem is with your connection, not your PC. Visit your ISP's website and look for a Service Status or Outages page. If there is an outage in your area, your speed will be slow until it is fixed. If there is no outage, contact your ISP's customer service with your speed test results. They can run diagnostics on your line and may send a technician if there is a problem with the connection itself.

Before you call, write down your speed test results, your ISP's promised speeds, and the time you ran the test. Also note whether the slow speed happens all day or only at certain times (peak hours are often slower). This information helps the ISP narrow down the problem faster.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my internet fast on my phone but slow on my PC?

Your phone and PC may be connecting differently — your phone might be on 5 GHz Wi-Fi while your PC is on 2.4 GHz, or your PC might have a background program consuming bandwidth. Check Task Manager on your PC to see what is using the network. Also try moving your PC closer to the router or plugging it in with an Ethernet cable to rule out Wi-Fi interference.

Does closing browser tabs make the internet faster?

Closing unused tabs frees up your PC's memory and processing power, which can make your PC feel faster overall, but it does not directly increase your internet speed. However, if you have many tabs open and they are loading ads or auto-playing videos, closing them does reduce the amount of data flowing through your connection.

Can too many devices on my Wi-Fi slow down my PC?

Yes. If many devices are connected to your router and using the network at the same time — streaming video on a tablet, downloading on a laptop, security cameras uploading footage — your PC's share of the bandwidth shrinks. Disconnect devices you are not using, or move your PC to a wired Ethernet connection if possible.

Should I change my DNS settings to speed up the internet?

Changing your DNS server (the service that translates website names into addresses) rarely makes a noticeable difference in speed, but it can help if your ISP's DNS is slow or unreliable. Try switching to Cloudflare DNS (1.1.1.1) or Google DNS (8.8.8.8) by going to Settings > Network & Internet > Change Adapter Options, right-clicking your connection, and editing the DNS settings. Test your speed before and after to see if it helps.

Why does my internet slow down at night?

Peak hours — usually evening and night — see more traffic on your ISP's network, which can slow speeds for everyone. This is normal and not something you can fix on your end. If slowness happens only at night, contact your ISP to ask about their network capacity during peak hours. If it happens all day, the problem is likely on your PC or router.