Slow Internet on my Desktop PC

[LookMaNoHands]

I recently upgraded to 400mbps internet speed but my internet speed test showed <100mbps.  I reported the issue to my provider, Spectrum, and tech came out and replaced some cable connections as well as my modem and Wifi router.
No change; still 100mbps. When I checked speed by pinging from the DOS prompt, my ping speed is 32ms, which I understand is pretty fast. I discovered I was using a cat5 wire and replaced with cat 6.
No change; still 100mbps.
After researching on the internet, I changed settings on my Realtek PCIe GbE Family Controller Network Adaptor to 1GB Speed & Duplex.

No change; still 100mbps.
I updated to the latest network adaptor driver from the Realtek website;  version 10.50.511.2021. This update was not approved by Microsoft, and was not in their catalog of accepted drivers.
No change; still 100mbps.
I tried the speed test from different browsers, Chrome, and Edge, and used task manager end task to stop redundant tabs running related to extensions.
No change; still 100 mbps.
I have verified that my computer is capable of higher internet speed, (it runs an Intel CPU at 2.4 GHz), and I am sure it is available. I suspect I have a setting wrong somewhere, but I have run out of ideas. Any suggestions?

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Hi:

Your PC's ethernet adapter is definitely a gigabit model, so I don't know why it is capped at 100 MB/S.

What does the actual connection speed indicate?

You can check that by going to the Windows control panel>Network & Internet>Network & Sharing Center>click on your network connection on the right side of the 'View your active networks' section on that window.

It will indicate the actual connection speed.

[LookMaNoHands]

Thanks for your response. I'm not surprised to see it's sitting at 100mbps.

In addition, I have a battery backup power strip that I passed the internet connection cables through, (we have a lot of lightning and power burps here). I changed the connection and bypassed the backup, running the connection cable straight to my machine. Still no change.

[Paul_Tikkanen]

You're very welcome.

Assuming you have a cat 6 ethernet cable going from the cable modem to the router as well, unfortunately I have no idea why the ethernet adapter is stuck at 100 MBPS.

It definitely should be connecting a 1 GB/S.

I just checked my HP notebook, which has a Realtek gigabit ethernet adapter and I tested that it connects at 1.0 GB/S.

The Speed & Duplex advanced setting for the Realtek ethernet adapter in my notebook is set to Auto Negotiation, not 1.0 GB/S full duplex like yours is.

You may want to try that setting if you have not done so already.

The Speed & Duplex setting for the Intel gigabit ethernet adapter on my Dell Optiplex 7050 tower is also set to Auto Negotiation.

[LookMaNoHands]

As you suggested, I changed the speed & duplex setting to auto negotiation; see next.

Changed back to 1.0 GB. See next.

Downright weird.  Just checked the tech installed cable from modem to router; marked cat5e. Googling says the 5e can handle up tp 1000mbps. Switched it out anyway with my new cat 6. No real difference, except for ping. 

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Definitely downright weird, and I am completely stumped as to why that is.

[LookMaNoHands]

Well, buddy, with all the thousands of messages and thumbs up you have in your history, if you don't know, I guess I'll be treading water for quite a while. 
It's Sunday, so maybe a prayer for divine guidance would be a good idea.
Thanks for your input.
 Best Regards.

[Paul_Tikkanen]

You're very welcome.

I'm sorry that I wasn't able to help you get the ethernet adapter to run at 1 GB/S.

There is something you can do to achieve close to gigabit ethernet speeds, which would require having a free USB 3 port, and that would be to purchase a USB to RJ-45 gigabit ethernet adapter.

Something like this...

Amazon.com: Amazon Basics USB 3.0 to 10/100/1000 Gigabit Ethernet Internet Adapter : Electronics

[LookMaNoHands]

I think I'll try that. I don't have a free port, but I have a multiport plugged into a single port(like an extension cord multiplies the available plug-in ports) that should work. I have little to lose, and much to gain.
Thanks.

[Paul_Tikkanen]

You're very welcome.

As long as it is all USB 3.0, it should work.

The adapter will work in a USB 2 port but won't reach the gigabit ethernet speeds.