Why is My PC Only Using a Fraction of My WiFi Speed?
Asked by
TechyNinja92
I've been trying to figure out why my computer seems to only use a small portion of the WiFi it receives. Windows shows that my WiFi link speed is 286 Mb/s, but when I run a speed test, I usually only get around 70 Mb/s. I know that Windows settings aren't really a speed test, but this discrepancy feels off. What can I do about it?
Answers
Keep in mind that the speed between your PC and the router doesn’t always reflect the speed you’ll get from the internet. Your router's speed is just one part. If Netflix or Steam are busy or have limits, that can throttle your speeds as well. You may find that you can multitask well even at lower speeds since not everything uses full bandwidth at the same time.
Reply to this answer
It sounds like you might be dealing with a bottleneck somewhere. The 286 Mb/s link speed is just the connection between your PC and the router. Once you factor in everything on your end and the speed you're actually paying your ISP for, things can get limited. If multiple devices are connected or if other people are using the same connection, it can further divide the available speed. Check your internet plan and see what speed you're actually subscribed to.
Reply to this answer
You may want to check if you're confusing MB/s with Mbps. Windows usually shows link speed in Mbps, which is eight times higher than MB/s. Make sure your WiFi drivers and BIOS are up to date, just to rule that out too. It's common for the link speed and actual transfer speed to differ; there are multiple factors at play here.
Reply to this answer
Add your answer
Answers are reviewed before publication.
SpeedyFixer: Yeah, it's not just about the numbers. Your network can perform differently under various conditions and types of data being transferred. As long as you’re getting decent speeds without dropped packets, that’s usually good enough, especially on WiFi.
OldSchoolGamer: I've noticed that too! Sometimes these issues can disappear after a reset or overnight. Have you tried restarting your router or your PC? It can help clear things up.