Home/Questions/Tech Support
Common question
Tech Support

My internet speed is fine on my phone and tablet but my laptop is extremely slow on the same WiFi. What is wrong with my laptop?

HBE
HelpByExperts Research Team
Editorial Research Team
✓ Verified Editorial

When one device is slow while others are fast on the same network, the issue is always on the slow device, not the internet connection. The most common culprits are an outdated WiFi driver, background programs consuming bandwidth, or your laptop connecting to the slower 2.4GHz band while your phone uses 5GHz. First, update your WiFi driver: open Device Manager, expand Network Adapters, right-click your WiFi adapter, and select Update Driver. If Windows says it is up to date, go to your laptop manufacturer's support page and download the latest WiFi driver manually. Next, open Task Manager (Ctrl+Shift+Esc), click the Network column to sort by bandwidth usage, and see if any background app is using your connection — common culprits are Windows Update, OneDrive syncing, cloud backup services, and browser extensions. Also, open Command Prompt and type netsh wlan show interfaces to see which band and channel you are on. If it shows 2.4GHz, forget the network and reconnect specifically to the 5GHz SSID if your router broadcasts separate bands.

✎ About this answer
This answer is curated research by the HelpByExperts editorial team, reviewed for accuracy and clarity. For personalized advice in regulated fields (legal, medical, tax, financial), consult a licensed professional in your jurisdiction. To chat with a verified expert, start a session for $1 →
Was this answer helpful?
Be the first to mark this helpful

This answer covers the common case. Tell us what's different about yours and get advice for your exact setup.

Free to start · $1 for the full consultation · Money-back guarantee

Related Questions

My WiFi drops every 10 to 15 minutes and I have to reconnect. This started happening last week with ...
Answered by HelpByExperts Research Team
I'm paying for 500 Mbps internet but my speed test only shows 50 to 80 Mbps on WiFi. Am I being scam...
Answered by HelpByExperts Research Team
My laptop shows connected to WiFi with full signal but says No Internet Access. All other devices wo...
Answered by HelpByExperts Research Team
My laptop gets extremely hot and randomly shuts down after about 30 minutes of use. The fan is runni...
Answered by Eric Paul Amora
My WiFi keeps disconnecting every 10-15 minutes on my Windows 11 laptop. My phone stays connected fi...
Answered by HelpByExperts Research Team

Related Tech Support Guides

AirDrop Not Working? Fix It Between iPhone, iPad, and Mac
AirDrop Not Working? Fix It Between iPhone, iPad, and Mac
5 min read
Mac Running Slow? 8 Fixes That Actually Work in 2026
Mac Running Slow? 8 Fixes That Actually Work in 2026
7 min read
Mac Won’t Turn On? Complete Troubleshooting for Every Mac Model
Mac Won’t Turn On? Complete Troubleshooting for Every Mac Model
7 min read
Smart Lock Not Working? How to Get In and Fix It
Smart Lock Not Working? How to Get In and Fix It
5 min read
← All questionsTech Support ServiceBlogContactPrivacy