Why is My Laptop Getting Significantly Lower WiFi Speeds Compared to My Phone?

Many users report that their laptops are only getting 15 Mbps WiFi speeds, while their phones can achieve up to 300 Mbps or more on the same network. This discrepancy can be attributed to a variety of factors.

Common Factors Leading to Slower WiFi Speeds on Laptops

Several reasons can contribute to this issue. Here are some key factors to consider:

1. WiFi Adapter Quality

One of the primary reasons for slower WiFi speeds on laptops is the quality of the WiFi adapter. Phones often use newer technology and support faster WiFi standards such as WiFi 6, whereas older laptops may have outdated adapters. These differences in hardware capabilities can lead to significant performance discrepancies.

2. Driver Issues

Another factor to consider is driver compatibility and updates. Outdated or incompatible drivers can lead to poor WiFi performance. Ensure that your laptop’s WiFi adapter drivers are up to date for optimal performance.

3. Interference

Physical obstructions, such as walls, and other electronic devices can interfere with WiFi signals, affecting your laptop’s performance. Additionally, the distance from your router can impact speeds, so move your laptop closer to the router if possible.

4. Network Settings

Check the network settings on your laptop. Power-saving modes might limit performance. Ensure that you are connected to the correct band (2.4 GHz vs. 5 GHz) as this can significantly affect speed.

5. Background Applications and Software

Applications running in the background on your laptop can consume bandwidth, leading to slower perceived internet speed. Close any unnecessary applications and temporarily disable security software such as antivirus and firewall to see if speeds improve.

6. Hardware Limitations

Older laptops may have inherent hardware limitations that prevent them from achieving higher WiFi speeds, regardless of network conditions.

7. Router Settings and Network Congestion

Check your router settings to ensure they are configured optimally. Sometimes settings like Quality of Service (QoS) can prioritize certain devices over others. Network congestion, where multiple devices are using bandwidth simultaneously, can also affect performance.

Testing Methodology

Make sure you are using the same method to test speeds on both devices. Use the same speed test service and ensure that both devices are not running any heavy applications during the test.

Steps to Troubleshoot Low WiFi Speeds on Laptops

Update Drivers

Start by checking for updates for your laptop’s WiFi adapter. Drivers can significantly impact performance.

Reboot Devices

Consider restarting both your laptop and your router. Sometimes a simple reboot can resolve connectivity issues.

Check Network Settings

Ensure that you are connected to the correct network and band. You may need to select the 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz network based on your router settings.

Test in Different Locations

Move your laptop closer to the router to see if the speed improves. Closer proximity can reduce signal interference and improve performance.

Disable Background Applications

Close any unnecessary applications that might be using bandwidth in the background. This can help free up resources for faster internet speeds.

Run a Speed Test

Use a reliable speed test website to compare speeds before and after making adjustments. This will give you a concrete measure of the impact of your troubleshooting steps.

After following these steps, if the issue persists, consider upgrading your laptop’s WiFi adapter to a USB WiFi adapter for better performance.