Question I have to unplug my network cable and restart Windows 11 to get a decent speed ?

[Corobori]

A while ago, I started noticing that my internet speed was not what I had contracted with my provider. I contacted their technical support, and their response was that everything was fine on their end.

They asked about my notebook, a ThinkPad P1 Gen 3, and my setup—I am using a docking station, Thunderbolt 3 Workstation Dock Gen 2. Their suggestion was to unplug the network cable, restart my notebook, and then, once restarted, plug the network cable back into the docking station. I was a bit skeptical, but it worked. Since then, whenever I need a fast connection, I repeat the process. (See the screenshot below.)

I’m wondering what the actual reason for this issue is and how to fix it permanently.

 

[Hellfire13]

Connect the ethernet cable directly to your laptop and check what speed you are getting.

 

[Corobori]

Connect the ethernet cable directly to your laptop and check what speed you are getting.

I can't, there is no ethernet port on that notebook.

 

[Hellfire13]

I can't, there is no ethernet port on that notebook.

Then you have to try another dock to eliminate that variable.

 

[stonecarver]

As an idea. I don't know what your notebook has as far as USB's just find the right one that fits your connections USB-3 , USB-C .


https://www.amazon.com/UGREEN-Netwo...locphy=9031499&hvtargid=pla-379048174242&th=1

 

[Corobori]

As an idea. I don't know what your notebook has as far as USB's just find the right one that fits your connections USB-3 , USB-C .


https://www.amazon.com/UGREEN-Netwo...locphy=9031499&hvtargid=pla-379048174242&th=1

That could be an idea

Then you have to try another dock to eliminate that variable.

It will be hard to find another one considering my location.

Remember that once restarted I am getting the speed I expect.

 

[Hellfire13]

Remember that once restarted I am getting the speed I expect.

That is not how troubleshooting works. You have to eliminate each variable from the equation until you can narrow down the issue.
What speed are you getting on wifi without that restart.

 

[Corobori]

I found a potential issue. When my connection is around the 90mb mark, the Lenovo USB Ethernet Properties shows 100mbs. I found that in its properties its Speed & Duplex value is set to "Auto Negotiation". After setting it up to "1.0 Gbps Full Duplex" and restarting the notebook, it is around the 900mb mark.
But it doesn't stay like this. It seems that after a few minutes, the network reset itself, and the speed goes back to 90mb

 

[Hellfire13]

Then you have to figure out what triggers the network reset. Possibly speak to your ISP or Lenovo support.

 

[bill001g]

USB ethernet works "most" the time with no problems. The issue tends to be when it does not work properly it is much more problematic to troubleshoot.

So if we ignore the USB part the most common cause of this issue is a bad cable. Any cable can go bad but there are massive numbers of fake ethernet cables sold, those flat cable are the most common. They have wire that is much too small to meet the specifications of a ethernet cable. There are also issue with them not following the required twist patterns specified.

The other problem is a "bad" cable can work in some machines and not others. Partially this depends on how well the ethernet chip in the device can tolerate out of spec cables. It can also be something really simple like the plug aligns slightly differnetly or maybe does not clip in all the way.

The problem with ethernet cables is it is impossible to actually test that a cable meets the standards in home environment. The meters designed to certify cables easily cost $1000.

So i would try a new cable. You need nothing real special cat5e is fine. Key is the cable is made from pure copper wire with wire size 22-24 awg. Good cable provider clearly state that information because they know all about the fake cables. This is all related to the cost of the copper metal and the vendors of fake cable trying to cut their costs.

If you continue to have issues with a new quality cable I don't know what to suggest. It can be the drivers. Unlike native ethernet ports you have a USB set of drivers inbetween. I really doubt this is the problem. In general the speed negotiation is done by the actual ethernet chip itself. This is done at a very low hardware level testing for voltages on certain pins. Although it is kinda software it is software that is build into the chip when it is manufactured. At best the driver can force it to some speed but when it runs auto mode the chip itself is doing this.

 

[Corobori]

USB ethernet works "most" the time with no problems. The issue tends to be when it does not work properly it is much more problematic to troubleshoot.

So if we ignore the USB part the most common cause of this issue is a bad cable. Any cable can go bad but there are massive numbers of fake ethernet cables sold, those flat cable are the most common. They have wire that is much too small to meet the specifications of a ethernet cable. There are also issue with them not following the required twist patterns specified.

The other problem is a "bad" cable can work in some machines and not others. Partially this depends on how well the ethernet chip in the device can tolerate out of spec cables. It can also be something really simple like the plug aligns slightly differnetly or maybe does not clip in all the way.

The problem with ethernet cables is it is impossible to actually test that a cable meets the standards in home environment. The meters designed to certify cables easily cost $1000.

So i would try a new cable. You need nothing real special cat5e is fine. Key is the cable is made from pure copper wire with wire size 22-24 awg. Good cable provider clearly state that information because they know all about the fake cables. This is all related to the cost of the copper metal and the vendors of fake cable trying to cut their costs.

If you continue to have issues with a new quality cable I don't know what to suggest. It can be the drivers. Unlike native ethernet ports you have a USB set of drivers inbetween. I really doubt this is the problem. In general the speed negotiation is done by the actual ethernet chip itself. This is done at a very low hardware level testing for voltages on certain pins. Although it is kinda software it is software that is build into the chip when it is manufactured. At best the driver can force it to some speed but when it runs auto mode the chip itself is doing this.

Thank you for your suggestion. I'll get a new cable then. By the way, this afternoon, the ethernet speed didn't flinch and stayed at 1.0Gbps