Windows 11 Network is Lagging, Fix It with These Tips

Having a high-speed Internet connection is a necessity. Unfortunately, many Windows 11 users have reported a bad network after upgrading to Windows 11. The network lag could be due to many reasons and factors such as the network provider itself or any outdated network drivers.

Windows 11 Network Lagging: Common Issues

Following are some common issues that can are responsible for network lags:

  • Weak signal
  • High number of devices connected to the router
  • DNS server problems
  • Misconfigured settings
  • Background processes consuming large amounts of data
  • Metered connection setup

Boost Your Windows 11 Network Speed: 5 Proven Fixes for Network Lag

If you’re experiencing network lag issues, we have compiled the 5 most helpful methods that can easily fix slow Internet speed on your Windows 11.

Method 1: Disconnect your VPN

While VPNs are an important tool for maintaining online privacy in today’s world, they do come with certain costs. VPN hides your IP address by adding some extra steps to the process of moving data packets to and from your ISP. This added layer of safety can slow the speed of your Internet connection.

If you are experiencing slow Internet speed on your Windows 11 device, it is worth considering whether your VPN may be the cause. To test this hypothesis, try disabling your VPN temporarily and monitoring the effect on the Internet speed. If you notice an immediate improvement in speed, this suggests that the VPN was indeed slowing down the connection.

Method 2: Update the Network Adapter

Updating your system’s network drivers can potentially improve Internet performance as occasionally slow Internet can be due to outdated network drivers. To install the latest drivers for your network adapter, follow these step-by-step instructions:

  1. Press the Windows key + X and select Device Manager from the menu.

  2. In the Device Manager window, locate and expand the Network Adapters category. Right-click on your network adapter and select Update Drivers.

  3. In the Update Drivers window, select Search automatically for updated driver software to allow Windows to search for and install the latest version of your network adapter’s drivers.

  4. Wait for Windows to download as well as install the newest drivers.
  5. Once the installation of new updates is finished, reboot the laptop to ensure that the changes are applied.

Method 3: Disable Metered Connections

Enabling a metered Internet connection is a valuable method to monitor as well as regulate your data usage. However, it can hinder the effective utilization of the Internet by Windows applications, leading to slow Internet speed. Therefore, it is recommended to disable the metered connection option to avoid any network lag.

Perform these steps to disable the metered connection:

  1. Open Start menu then select Settings.
  2. Now, go to the Network & Internet window and click the Wi-Fi section.

  3. From the available networks, choose your Wi-Fi network and open its properties tab.
  4. Disable the Metered connection option.

Method 4: Turn off Background Apps

Having too many apps running in the background can cause significant data consumption, leading to slower Internet speeds in Windows 11. To resolve this issue, consider disabling any unnecessary background apps that may be consuming data.

To do this perform these steps:

  1. Open the Settings app by pressing the Windows key + I. Switch to the Apps tab and select Apps & features.

  2. Scroll down to find the app you want to disable. Click on three vertical dots and open the Advanced options menu.
  3. Now toggle to Background App permissions and select Never from the drop down menu.

Method 5: Run Network Troubleshooter

Windows 11 has many features that can be used to easily fix the network lag issues such as the Network Troubleshooter service that can easily identify any issues related to slow network performance and diagnose them.

To start the Network troubleshooter service, follow these step-by-step instructions:

  1. Open Start menu then select Settings.

  2. Go to System and you will find Troubleshoot, click on it.

  3. From the available list of troubleshooters, select Other troubleshooters.

  4. Choose Network Adapter and click on Run.
  5. Now follow the steps provided by the troubleshooter properly and check if the problem is resolved.

Conclusion

Experiencing network lag on Windows 11 can be annoying. Luckily, there are effective methods to diagnose the issues. We have shown you the most effective methods to prevent lag and ensure that your network connection is running smoothly. By following these fixes and utilizing the tools available on Windows 11, you can enjoy a more seamless and efficient internet experience.