I recently moved from an area with a 100 Mbps internet connection to an apartment with 600 Mbps service. My other devices can use the faster connection normally, but my Windows 11 Education PC consistently gets only around 10 Mbps. The PC uses the same TP-Link Archer T600U Plus USB Wi-Fi adapter that worked well at my old home. I checked the drivers, and the adapter also performs normally when connected to other computers. Could Windows 11, Wi-Fi interference, or the adapter settings be causing this limitation?
4 Answers
The large difference between download and upload speeds can also point to a poor wireless link or interference. Try moving the USB adapter away from the back of the PC with a short extension cable, changing its position, and checking the negotiated link speed in Windows. If Ethernet works normally, Wi-Fi congestion or signal quality is the likely cause.
The most reliable test is to connect the PC directly to the router with Ethernet. If that gives you close to the full 600 Mbps, the problem is definitely the wireless connection rather than Windows or your internet service. A Cat5e cable is sufficient for these speeds.
The adapter may be connecting with an older or low-speed Wi-Fi mode despite having a fast internet plan. A newer USB Wi-Fi 6 adapter with a movable antenna base, or an internal PCIe Wi-Fi card for a desktop, could improve reception and support newer standards. However, replacing hardware should come after testing Ethernet and checking for interference.
Apartment buildings often have heavy Wi-Fi congestion, especially on 2.4 GHz. Check the adapter’s advanced properties and the router settings to prefer 5 GHz, then try different channels. Keep in mind that 5 GHz has less range, so distance, walls, the router, and the adapter’s antenna placement all matter.
Forcing 5 GHz can actually make things slower if the signal is weak. It’s worth testing both bands while watching the connection rate and signal strength.