My PC slows down my internet speed and nothing has fixed it

Troubleshooting: PC Speed Issues Despite a Modern Router and Proper Setup

Having a reliable internet connection is essential, especially when working from home or engaging in bandwidth-intensive activities. However, many users encounter frustrating issues where their PC’s internet speed is significantly slower than expected, even with a high-performance router in place. If you’re facing a situation where your PC’s download and upload speeds lag behind your other devices, such as smartphones, despite connecting via Ethernet, you’re not alone. This article explores common causes and potential solutions to help optimize your network performance.

Understanding the Scenario

Imagine you’ve recently upgraded to a new TP-Link Archer AX50 (also known as Archer NX500) 5G router, which supports high-speed Wi-Fi and robust connections. You connect your PC to this router via Ethernet cable, expecting blazing-fast internet. However, the results are disappointing: your PC registers download speeds around 20 Mbps and upload speeds below 1 Mbps. Meanwhile, your smartphone on Wi-Fi achieves speeds of up to 100 Mbps download and roughly 10 Mbps upload. Despite trying multiple troubleshooting steps, the sluggish performance persists.

Common Causes of Slow PC Internet Speeds

1. Ethernet Cable or Port Issues:
   While you’ve confirmed that the Ethernet cable and ports are working correctly, it’s worth double-checking the quality of the cable (preferably Cat6 or higher) and testing different ports on the router.

2. Network Adapter Settings:
   Sometimes, network adapter configurations can limit speeds—such as incorrect link speed, power management settings, or driver issues.

3. Outdated or Incompatible Drivers:
   Ensuring your network drivers are up-to-date is vital. Using generic or outdated drivers can hinder maximum throughput.

4. Router Configuration and Firmware:
   A misconfigured router or outdated firmware can cause bottlenecks. Firmware updates often resolve known issues.

5. Background Applications and System Resources:
   Running resource-heavy applications or malware can impact network performance. Run a thorough system scan and monitor network activity.

6. Network Congestion or ISP Issues:
   Sometimes, external factors like network congestion or ISP throttling can affect speeds.

Step-by-Step Troubleshooting Guide

1. Verify Hardware Integrity
2. Use a high-quality Ethernet cable (Cat6 or higher).
3. Test different Ethernet ports on your router.
4. Connect your PC to another device or port to rule out hardware faults.

2