Weirdly Slow Internet on One Laptop (Windows), Ruled Out Router/Drivers – Seeking Advice!

Understanding and Troubleshooting Slow Internet Performance on a Windows Laptop:

Experiencing sluggish internet speeds on a single Windows device can be perplexing, especially when other devices on the same network function flawlessly. Recent observations and troubleshooting efforts can help pinpoint the root cause and guide effective solutions.

Scenario Summary:

A Windows-based laptop exhibits significantly reduced internet speeds—around 20 Mbps download and unstable uploads—despite the network providing approximately 100 Mbps bandwidth. Notably, this slowdown is confined to the affected device, with other gadgets on the same Wi-Fi network performing normally.

Key Findings from Troubleshooting:

• Hardware Functionality Confirmed: Running internet speed tests via Ubuntu Live USB yields normal speeds (~100 Mbps), indicating that the hardware components (Wi-Fi and Ethernet adapters) are functioning correctly.

• Network Connection Validity: Connecting via Ethernet shows equivalent slow, unstable speeds, further excluding the WLAN hardware as the issue.

• Route and Network Integrity: Rebooting the router, resetting Windows network settings, and testing on separate user profiles all suggest the problem is localized to a particular Windows user environment.

• Software and Driver Checks: Updating and reinstalling Wi-Fi drivers did not resolve the problem, which hints at a software component within Windows influencing network performance.

• Profile-Specific Issue: Creating and testing a new Windows user account restores normal speed, indicating the problem resides within the current user profile or its associated configurations.

Diagnosing User Profile-Related Network Issues

Given the evidence, the root cause appears to be tied to the specific Windows user profile. Potential factors include:

• User-specific network configurations or policies
• Corrupted network settings within the profile
• Background processes or startup applications interfering with network traffic
• Misconfigured firewall or security software within the profile
• Persistent network caches or temporary files affecting connectivity

Recommended Steps to Resolve Profile-Specific Network Bottlenecks:

1. Reset Network Settings Within the User Profile

2. Flush DNS Cache: Open Command Prompt as administrator and run:
   ipconfig /flushdns

3. Reset TCP/IP Stack: Run:
   netsh int ip reset

4. Release and Renew IP Lease:
   ipconfig /release
ipconfig /renew

5. Check and Reset Windows Network Configurations

6. Use Windows’ built-in network reset:

   • Navigate to Settings > Network & Internet >