Troubleshooting Slow Internet Speeds: My Experience with a 400 Mbps Plan

Greetings, fellow tech enthusiasts! I recently made the leap to a new internet provider and opted for a 400 Mbps plan. The setup process went smoothly, and I was quite pleased to discover that I was not only getting faster speeds but also paying less than I did with my previous provider.

However, shortly after the installation, I encountered an unexpected issue. When I conducted a speed test, I found that my computer was only achieving 100 Mbps, despite the fact that both my equipment and the technician’s tests indicated that the connection was indeed functioning at 400 Mbps.

Since I typically avoid seeking help online, I took the time to perform thorough testing and troubleshooting before reaching out. Here’s a summary of my findings and attempts to resolve the issue:

1. Speed Confirmation on Other Devices: My mobile phone, connected to the same Wi-Fi network via the same router, was receiving the full 400 Mbps. This indicates that the speed being delivered by my internet provider is accurate.

2. Router Capacity: The router provided by my ISP is a Huawei HG8245Q2, which I researched and confirmed is equipped to handle speeds of up to 400 Mbps.

3. Network Card Specifications: My computer features a Realtek PCIe GbE Family Controller network card, which is rated for 10/100/1000 Mbps. I found that in the advanced properties settings, there is an option for 1.0 Gbps Full Duplex, suggesting that my hardware should support gigabit speeds.

4. Variable Speed by LAN Port: Interestingly, when I switch the Ethernet connection to a different LAN port on the router, my internet speed temporarily spikes to 400 Mbps for about 10-15 minutes before reverting back to 100 Mbps. This pattern suggests that the issue may stem from an unusual configuration rather than a hardware failure.

5. Network Configuration: The Network and Sharing Center on my computer consistently displays a connection speed of 100.0 Mbps. As mentioned, switching LAN ports allows for a brief increase to 1.0 Gbps, but the speed resets soon after.

To troubleshoot this issue, I attempted several solutions:

• Driver Update: I ensured that the network card driver was updated to the most recent version (10.39.212.2020), yet the problem persisted.

• **Speed & Duplex