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5 Best Ways to Instantly Increase WiFi Speed on Windows Laptop (Step-by-Step Guide)

How to boost WiFi speed on Windows laptop using DNS change, network reset, band selection, and reconnecting WiFi for faster internet.
How to Increase WiFi Speed on Laptop

1. Restart Your Router and Laptop

Restarting the router is one of the most effective ways to boost WiFi speed. Routers store temporary cache, IP conflicts, and small glitches over time. Restarting clears these issues instantly.

How to restart your router properly:

  • Turn off the router using the power button or unplug the adapter.
  • Wait at least 10–15 seconds to allow the internal memory to clear.
  • Turn the router back on.
  • Wait until all indicator lights stabilize (usually 30–60 seconds).

Restart your laptop:

  • Click Start Menu → Power → Restart.
  • This clears temporary files and refreshes the entire network stack.

2. Forget and Reconnect the WiFi Network

Your laptop stores network profiles including passwords, IP configuration, and security details. If these settings get corrupted, WiFi speed may drop. Forgetting and reconnecting creates a fresh connection.

How to do it:

  • Click the WiFi icon on the taskbar.
  • Right-click your connected WiFi network.
  • Select Forget.
  • Reconnect by entering your WiFi password.

3. Change DNS for Faster Browsing Speed

DNS converts website names into IP addresses. Slow DNS servers lead to slow website loading. Switching to Google DNS or Cloudflare DNS improves internet responsiveness.

How to change DNS on Windows:

  • Press Windows + R
  • Type ncpa.cpl and press Enter
  • Right-click your WiFi adapter → Properties
WiFi Adapter Settings
  • Select Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) and click Properties.
IPv4 Properties

(These values work for 90% of home routers.)

  • Select Use the following DNS server addresses
  • Preferred DNS: 8.8.8.8
  • Alternate DNS: 8.8.4.4
Set DNS
  • Click OK to save the settings.

4. Change WiFi Network Band (2.4 GHz vs 5 GHz)

Modern routers broadcast both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz signals. Choosing the right band depending on your distance boosts speed and stability.

How to switch:

  • Click the WiFi icon on your laptop.
  • If your router is dual-band, you’ll see: • HomeWiFi_2.4G • HomeWiFi_5G
  • Select 5 GHz for faster speed (best for short distance).
  • Select 2.4 GHz for better range (best for long distance).

5. Resetting Network Settings on Windows

If your WiFi is slow or unstable, Windows may have corrupted network drivers or incorrect TCP/IP settings. A network reset restores everything to default and fixes deep network issues.

How to perform network reset:

  • Open Settings
  • Go to Network & Internet
  • Scroll to Advanced network settings
  • Click Network reset
  • Click Reset now
  • Your laptop will restart automatically

Result:

Your network will behave like a fresh installation, and you will often see a noticeable improvement in WiFi performance.