My phone reaches roughly 100 Mbps on the same internet connection, but my Windows PC only gets about 4 Mbps. The PC connects through a USB Wi‑Fi adapter, and this has been happening for a long time. I'm not sure whether the problem is the adapter, signal strength, drivers, or something else. What should I check?
3 Answers
First, check the basic hardware setup. If the adapter has external antennas, make sure they’re attached and positioned away from the back of the metal PC case. Distance and walls can also make a big difference. Try connecting the PC with an Ethernet cable as a comparison—if wired speeds are normal, the issue is definitely related to Wi‑Fi or the USB adapter.
The exact adapter model and router setup would help narrow this down. Check whether the adapter supports the same Wi‑Fi band as your router, especially 5 GHz or newer standards. Also install the latest driver for the adapter from the manufacturer rather than relying only on Windows Update. Older or inexpensive USB adapters can have very limited real-world speeds.
It may also be worth testing the Windows installation and network settings. Run the test close to the router, try a different USB port, and compare the result with another device in the same location. If the PC has been slowing down over time, updating or reinstalling the Wi‑Fi driver—and, as a last resort, doing a clean Windows installation—could help, though the adapter, signal, or placement is more likely to be the main cause.
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