How To Fix Slow Internet On Windows 10?

A slow internet connection can be incredibly frustrating. There are few things more annoying than pages taking forever to load or videos constantly buffering. When you’re experiencing internet speed issues, it often feels like pulling teeth just to get anything done online.

Fortunately, there are plenty of troubleshooting steps you can take to improve slow internet speeds on your Windows 10 computer. Whether the issue lies with your network, computer hardware, antivirus software, or even your internet service provider (ISP)—like Shaw—this guide will walk you through how to fix things.

Perform a Shaw Speed Test First

Before trying extensive troubleshooting on your Windows 10 device, first, rule out broader network issues by running a Shaw speed test. This will confirm if slow internet speeds are being caused by your local router connection and ISP rather than something on your computer.

The Shaw speed test checks the download and upload speeds from Shaw’s server to your location. It’s helpful to run this wired over ethernet if possible for the most accurate reading.

If your Shaw speed test results come back significantly slower than the internet speeds you pay for, it suggests a network or Shaw issue is causing lagging internet speeds. Skip down to the Contact Shaw section below if that’s the case.

However, fast Shaw speed test results suggest Windows settings or software are slowing things down instead. Continue reading through this guide to fix internet speed problems on your Windows 10 computer itself.

Check Windows Update & Background Downloads

Windows automatically downloads updates and allows other apps to conduct background downloads too. This can saturate your available bandwidth and cause internet lag across your devices.

To see if Windows Update or background downloads are slowing your internet speeds:

1. Type “Task Manager” into the Windows search box and click to open it.
2. Go to the “Processes” tab at the top of Task Manager.
3. Sort the processes by download utilization by clicking the “Network” column header. This pushes processes using the most bandwidth to the top.
4. Take note of any Windows processes using significant bandwidth like Windows Update related services or other apps conducting hefty downloads.

You have a couple options to remedy this:

• Pause Windows Update – Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update and click “Pause Updates”. This prevents downloads for 7 days.
  Set Active Hours – Restrict downloads to off-peak periods under Settings > Update & Security > Change active hours. Windows avoids downloads during set hours.
  Restrict Background Downloads – Under Settings > Privacy > Background apps, disable apps that shouldn’t be downloading during prime usage times.

Restart your computer once finished to fully clear any pending downloads. Verify the download utilization for Windows processes drops in Task Manager afterward.

This ensures Windows itself isn’t hogging bandwidth in the background and slowing internet speeds system-wide as a result.

Scan for Malware & Network Threats

Viruses, spyware, crypto jackers, and other malware infesting your system could be secretly consuming internet bandwidth and slowing connections.

It’s important to scan your Windows device for these threats. The built-in Windows Security works sufficiently, but third-party antivirus software like Shaw Internet Security Suite often provides more robust protection.

Follow these steps to scan for malware with the Shaw Internet Security Suite:

1. Launch the Shaw Security app from the system tray icon.
2. Click on “Device Scan” and then “Quick Scan” to start a scan.
3. Shaw Security scans memory processes, registry, boot sectors, downloads, and other locations malware hides in just a few minutes.
4. It prompts you to clean any threats discovered to remove malware from your system. Make sure you allow the cleaning process.
5. Restart your computer once the malware removal is complete for the best result.

With malware cleaned, internet speeds should show marked improvement without background processes secretly consuming bandwidth and system resources.

Shaw Security Suite also helps by blocking malicious sites and downloads that could infect your Windows PC. Keep real-time antivirus protection enabled to prevent future malware issues from arising.

Check for Network Interference

Physical barriers and radio interference in the environment can slow Wi-Fi speeds. Network congestion from too many devices connected at once also plays a role.

Follow these tips to eliminate interference that may be slowing internet speeds:

• Change Wi-Fi Channels – Log into your Shaw router dashboard and switch to a less congested Wi-Fi channel. This avoids competing signals from neighbors.
• Update Router Firmware – Outdated router firmware can negatively impact Wi-Fi connectivity. Log into your Shaw gateway to check and install the latest firmware.
• Reboot Network Devices – Power cycle your Shaw modem, router, and computer. This clears any network connection issues.
• Check Coaxial Cable – Ensure the coaxial cable feeding your Shaw modem has no loose fittings or damage. Replace the cable if necessary.
• Change Router Location – If possible, move your Shaw gateway to a centralized area away from cordless phones, baby monitors, and other electronics that could cause Wi-Fi interference.
• Upgrade to Wi-Fi 6 – Invest in a Shaw Wi-Fi 6 Gateway for faster wireless network speeds if your equipment is outdated.

Tackling network congestion and interference sources tends to provide an immediate boost to slow Wi-Fi speeds in particular.

Disable the Antivirus Program Temporarily

Antivirus software like the Shaw Security Suite safeguards your system from cyber threats. However, some antivirus programs allocate too many system resources towards active scanning. This inadvertently hinders internet speeds.

To check if your antivirus software is slowing internet access, temporarily disable it:

1. Locate the antivirus program icon in the system tray.
2. Right-click it and select an option to disable virus and threat protection.
3. Test browsing the web and running a Shaw speed test to compare internet speeds.
4. Make sure to re-enable active antivirus protection once finished testing. Never leave your device vulnerable.

If disabling the antivirus brings a sizeable speed boost, try configuring it to exclude real-time scanning of low-risk folders. For example, Downloads, Desktop, and Documents folders likely don’t require constant active scanning.

Excluding them lessens resource strain. Your antivirus program’s settings offer the ability to customize protected folders and active scanning behavior. Tweak as needed to reach the right balance between security and performance.

Clear Browser Cache & Cookies

Large browser cache and cookie data on your Windows machine contribute to sluggish internet speeds. That’s because web browsers sift through enormous amounts of data stored on your system whenever you visit websites.

Follow these steps to clear the cache and cookies in Google Chrome:

1. Click the three vertical dots at the top-right browser corner.
2. Hover over “More tools” and select “Clear browsing data”.
3. Choose “Cached images and files” and “Cookies and other site data” options.
4. Click “Clear data” to wipe the accumulated browser cache/cookies.

Repeat the process for any other browsers installed like Firefox or Edge. This forces them to rebuild fresh cache/cookies moving forward rather than reference outdated messy data slowing things down.

While not a fix-all solution, clearing the browser cache and cookies provides a quick speed boost after accumulated usage over time. Get in the habit of periodically clearing cache/cookies as general browser maintenance.

Toggle Off Browser Extensions

Browser extensions are highly convenient but can seriously drag down internet speeds when multiple runs at the same time.

Disable any extensions not necessary as a test:

1. Click the puzzle icon to the right of the address bar in Chrome.
2. Toggle off extensions one by one.
3. Test browsing speed after each adjustment to isolate culprits.
4. Leave disabled any heavy extensions dragging speeds down.

Don’t forget to check other browsers like Firefox and Edge for troublesome add-ons too.

While some extensions require constant operation, carefully select only the essentials needing 24/7 active status to prevent slowdowns.

Reset Network Settings

Resetting your network settings clears any problematic customizations that could hinder internet performance.

Here’s how to complete a network settings reset on Windows 10:

1. Go to Windows Settings > Network & Internet > Status.
2. Scroll down and click “Network reset”.
3. Follow the prompts to confirm resetting network settings. This removes customizations without deleting personal files.

Once completed, restart your computer and reconfigure any custom network tweaks like static IP addresses if needed.

Contact Shaw Support

If you still observe slow internet after trying these Windows fixes, contact Shaw support for further troubleshooting assistance. Provide details about the issues experienced along with your Shaw account information.

Some steps Shaw Support may recommend for persistent slow internet include:

• Sending a technician to check the equipment
• Swapping modems and cabling
• Enabling QoS prioritization
• Adjusting Internet package tiers

Shaw can monitor speeds and trace issues both inside and outside your home network. They can help uncover and then resolve the root cause whether related to your computer setup or Shaw’s infrastructure.

Getting to the bottom of what specifically is hindering your connectivity is key to regaining consistently fast internet through Shaw.

Conclusion

Dealing with a chronically slow internet connection quickly saps productivity. But methodically troubleshooting the issue can help identify what exactly is causing the lagging speeds.

From problematic Windows settings to congested networks and shoddy cables—various culprits contribute to internet slowdowns. Carefully work through each potential cause on your Windows 10 computer and Shaw network environment itself to isolate the barrier holding back faster speeds.

Pay attention to when sluggishness arises too, such as only during peak usage hours. This offers important clues guiding suitable fixes. Think through recent changes as well as preceding notable slowdowns.

In many cases, simple tweaks rectify the situation and restore rapid internet connectivity. But don’t hesitate to leverage technical support too when needed if problems persist without explanation.

Stay vigilant and proactive in performing periodic maintenance like malware scans, cache clearing, and equipment reboots too. An ounce of prevention avoids a pound of speed issues down the road.

About Author