[SOLVED] Download speed is slow on only my PC - please help!

[Ograsmium]

Hi all,

Really struggling here - I only get slow download speeds on my Dekstop PC; 2 other laptops and my mobile phone report great download speeds.

The network adapter is an Intel I219-V.

I have tried all of the following;

- Reinstalling network driver
- Disabling firewall (on Bitdefender)
- Trying my wireless adapter (also slow speeds)
- Disabling each adapter and trying the other
- Looking in the bios for settings
- Downloading the latest driver from the motherboard website
- Editing the group policy (limit bandwidth setting)
- Set the speed and duplex setting on the adapter to 1Gbps full duplex


There is probably more I've tried but cannot even remember now as I have tried so many. I am worried its a hardware issue, I have had this PC since 2019, but have been played by poor broadband due to the area I used to live in, now I have moved and have better broadband, I am worried I never saw this issue due to my poor download speeds before (possibly hiding a hardware issue).

Can anyone help?

 

[COLGeek]

Are you using any network optimizing applications? If so, remove it/them.

 

[Ograsmium]

Are you using any network optimizing applications? If so, remove it/them.

Not using any. I am thinking of doing a clean install but really don’t want to have to reinstall everything to find out it’s a bloody hardware issue 🥲.

 

[COLGeek]

Not using any. I am thinking of doing a clean install but really don’t want to have to reinstall everything to find out it’s a bloody hardware issue 🥲.

Understood. Have you tried alternate cables or ports? Also, inspect your PC's Ethernet port for debris.

 

[Ograsmium]

Understood. Have you tried alternate cables or ports? Also, inspect your PC's Ethernet port for debris.

Tried two cat 6 cables, and there is only one port unfortunately. It’s not only the Ethernet connection that is slow, it’s the WiFi too, so it sounds like either a motherboard issue??? Or something to do with the OS/applications.

 

[kanewolf]

Not using any. I am thinking of doing a clean install but really don’t want to have to reinstall everything to find out it’s a bloody hardware issue 🥲.

Have you checked the Windows "Auto-Tuning" -- https://www.ghacks.net/2016/08/05/windows-10-limiting-internet-speed/

 

[COLGeek]

Tried two cat 6 cables, and there is only one port unfortunately. It’s not only the Ethernet connection that is slow, it’s the WiFi too, so it sounds like either a motherboard issue??? Or something to do with the OS/applications.

Look at what @kanewolf provided. This sounds like a Windows/software thing. Those are separate devices/drivers.

 

[Ograsmium]

Look at what @kanewolf provided. This sounds like a Windows/software thing. Those are separate devices/drivers.

I am sad to say I have already tried that 🙁

 

[COLGeek]

Try starting your system in safe mode and then test performance. Any difference?

 

[kanewolf]

Try starting your system in safe mode and then test performance. Any difference?

And also get a portable Linux version on a USB stick. Boot that and speedtest. That eliminates Windows as the reason.

 

[Ograsmium]

So I have been extremely lucky and found a windows OS on an NVME drive I had, it’s not a clean boot, but certainly doesn’t have all the programs and what not that I have on my OS.

The speeds are what I would be expecting, which means something on my “current” OS build is badly throttling my download speed (but not upload).

So I have two options, just wipe it all and start again, or try and sift through to find the culprit, but that feels impossible.

Any other ideas or I’ve got to bite the bullet?

 

[COLGeek]

So I have been extremely lucky and found a windows OS on an NVME drive I had, it’s not a clean boot, but certainly doesn’t have all the programs and what not that I have on my OS.

The speeds are what I would be expecting, which means something on my “current” OS build is badly throttling my download speed (but not upload).

So I have two options, just wipe it all and start again, or try and sift through to find the culprit, but that feels impossible.

Any other ideas or I’ve got to bite the bullet?

A clean install would likely be faster. Have you looked at what applications/services/processes are running in Task Manager?

What are you using to scan for malware?

 

[Ralston18]

Regarding "Set the speed and duplex setting on the adapter to 1Gbps full duplex"

Set to Auto.

 

[Ograsmium]

Try starting your system in safe mode and then test performance. Any difference?

A clean install would likely be faster. Have you looked at what applications/services/processes are running in Task Manager?

What are you using to scan for malware?

I have bitdefender, but am up for renewal if anyone has any better antivirus recommendations.

I haven't looked at my task manager yet, is there anything I should be looking out for apart from anything hogging my network?

 

[kanewolf]

I have bitdefender, but am up for renewal if anyone has any better antivirus recommendations.

I haven't looked at my task manager yet, is there anything I should be looking out for apart from anything hogging my network?

And you are sure you don't have any motherboard specific software like "Asus ROG" or "Game First" that runs? Those are very often the problem.

What motherboard do you have ?

 

[COLGeek]

I have bitdefender, but am up for renewal if anyone has any better antivirus recommendations.

I haven't looked at my task manager yet, is there anything I should be looking out for apart from anything hogging my network?

Personally, I just use Windows' built-in Defender. Really no need for a third party solution. It definitely has a smaller footprint than Bitdefender.

 

[lantis3]

1. Reset network
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us...-windows-2311254e-cab8-42d6-90f3-cb0b9f63645f

2. Do a iperf3 test between PCs

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=iperf3+

Agree that you don't need 3rd party antivirus

 

[Ograsmium]

And you are sure you don't have any motherboard specific software like "Asus ROG" or "Game First" that runs? Those are very often the problem.

What motherboard do you have ?

Funny you should say that, I know of ROG Game First being an issue on reddit, I do have an ROG Maximus Code XI, and don't know if the software is causing the issue. But I will run more tests tomorrow like @kanewolf mentioned and let you guys know. Thank you to everyone who has helped so far!

 

[Ograsmium]

Just to close of this thread - I never found out which specific software was causing an issue on my old OS build unfortunately - I would’ve loved to take the time to delete program by program, but I needed my pc up and running asap.

Fresh windows install was well overdue anyway, and download speeds have been just shy of 1000mbps consistently!

Thanks for everyone’s help!