I'm having an issue with my PCIe Ethernet card, which states that it's capable of 1Gbps in the Control Panel. However, my actual download speeds are stuck around 100Mbps. I've tried disabling EEE and forcing the speed and duplex to 1Gbps, along with some other troubleshooting steps like restarting the modem and trying safe mode. My friend brought over his desktop and got the full 1Gbps using the same Cat 5e cable I'm using, which is also what my ISP offers. Interestingly, my motherboard has a 1Gb Ethernet port, but it too is capped at 100Mbps. I'm using Realtek driver version 10.78.50.822. Any ideas on what might be causing this issue?
5 Answers
Make sure your hardware supports 1Gbps entirely. It's good that you're using Cat 5e cables, but if there's any damage, it could slow things down to 100 Mbps. Also, check if your network switch can handle gigabit speeds; if it can't, that could be a bottleneck.
When you do speed tests, are you consistently using the same site? I suggest trying different servers on speedtest.net to see if there’s a consistent pattern in your results.
I tested on multiple sites like Google and Edge, but they all capped around 100Mbps.
It sounds like your Ethernet card is reporting compatibility but might be facing issues elsewhere. Check that your cable is in good condition and not too old. Sometimes, issues can arise if the cable isn't properly crimped, especially with handmade ones. It’s also worth checking if you’re plugged into a router that could be limiting your speed per device.
I used the same cable as my friend, and it worked perfectly for him. I also tried other known good cables and still faced the same issue.
Since you're on Windows 11, consider updating your drivers if you haven't done that recently. Your driver version seems outdated. Uninstall the existing driver and try the latest version from Realtek specifically designed for Windows 11 to see if that resolves anything.
I'll give that a shot and let you know how it goes!
Can you provide more details about your motherboard and PCIe card models? It might help pinpoint whether there’s a setting in the BIOS that’s limiting your speeds. It’s worth checking if anything needs to be adjusted there.
Here's the breakdown: OS - Windows 11 Home; Mobo - ASUS Prime B550-Plus AC-HES; PCIe Card - YuanLey 2.5 Gigabit. I didn’t find any specific settings in the BIOS, though.
My switch is supposed to handle up to 2.5Gbps, and I checked both cables—they’re in perfect condition.