Wired download speed about half of my upload speed

[EY-2025]

I have a 2 Gbps Internet service. I am using a 2.5 Gbps Ethernet to USB-C adapter. Speedtest app is measuring a consistent 800-1200 Mbps download and 2,000-2,300 Mbps upload speeds. The cable is CAT 6. When I use the same Ethernet cable and connection to my router (eero Max 7) and connect it to my iPhone 16 Pro, my iPad Pro, and my iMac using the same Ethernet to USB-C adapter, they all see download speeds 2,000 Mbps or higher. My HP computer is limiting the download speeds to about 1,000 Mbps. I have done a thousand things that Grok and ChatGPT have suggested. Nothing has worked so far. I appreciate any suggestions anyone has. Thank you.

[zoey7886]

@EY-2025, Welcome to the HP Support Community!  

Thanks for reaching out about your query regarding Wired download speed about half of my upload speed! 

We're thrilled to have the opportunity to assist you and provide a solution.  

  
It sounds like you are experiencing issues with your wired download speed on your HP computer. Given that other devices using the same Ethernet cable and adapter achieve higher speeds, the issue might stem from your computer's Ethernet adapter or network settings. Here are some steps you can take to troubleshoot and potentially resolve this issue:

Check Network Adapter Drivers:

• Ensure that your network adapter drivers are up-to-date. You can check for updates through the Device Manager in Windows or visit the HP Support website for the latest drivers.

Disable Power Saving Mode:

• Network adapters often have power-saving settings that can affect performance. Go to Device Manager -> Network Adapters, right-click on your Ethernet adapter, select Properties, and under the Power Management tab, uncheck any options that allow the computer to turn off the device to save power.

Check Network Settings:

• Ensure that the network adapter settings are correctly configured. Go to Device Manager -> Network Adapters, right-click on your Ethernet adapter, select Properties, and under the Advanced tab, check properties like "Speed & Duplex" which should be set to "Auto-Negotiation".

Reboot Network Hardware:

• Occasionally, rebooting your router and computer can resolve network performance issues. It can also help to reset any potential misconfigurations that might have developed.

Test with Different Adapter:

• If possible, try using a different Ethernet to USB-C adapter with your HP computer to see if the issue persists.

Windows Network Troubleshooter:

• Use the built-in Windows Network Troubleshooter. Go to Settings -> Network & Internet -> Status and select Network Troubleshooter to let Windows diagnose and fix network issues.

BIOS and Firmware Updates:

• Ensure that your computer’s BIOS and firmware are up to date, as updates can sometimes offer fixes for performance issues.  

Hope this helps! 

Take care, and have an amazing day!  

Did we resolve the issue? If yes, Please consider marking this post as "Accepted Solution" and click "Yes" to give us a helpful vote - your feedback keeps us going!  

Regards, 

[Garlic_Dude]

I have the exact same issue, with download speeds around 300-400mbps and upload speeds around 800 - 900mbps. My ISP is a 2Gbps service. I have followed all suggestions below with no impact. I purchased today a USB Type-C to 2.5Gbps network adaptor, but this gave same results. My internet company, have swapped the router for another product and issue is the same. What additional suggestions to resolve this please?

[Kuroi_Kenshi]

Hi @Garlic_Dude,

Welcome to the HP Support Community! We're stoked to have you on board! 

To help us get started on resolving your issue, could you please share the model name of your device?

We're looking forward to helping you get back up and running! 

Best regards,

[Garlic_Dude]

The model is HP Envy x360 2-in-1 Laptop 14-fc0xxx.

Thanks for your support.

[Kuroi_Kenshi]

Hi @Garlic_Dude,

Thank you for the response

Try these steps:

Check adapter link speed

Open Network & Internet Settings > Ethernet > Hardware Properties

Look at “Link Speed” does it show 2.5 Gbps, 1 Gbps, or lower?

If it’s only 1 Gbps, then the adapter or cable or router port may be negotiating at 1 Gbps only.

Make sure the router port you’re using does support multi-gig (2.5G/5G), many routers have only one or two multi-gig ports.

 

Force full duplex manually

Open Device Manager > Network Adapters

Right-click your USB LAN adapter > Properties > Advanced tab

Look for Speed & Duplex, set it to 2.5Gbps Full Duplex or Auto Negotiation, whichever matches your router.

Apply and retest.

Try different USB port

Some USB-C ports share bandwidth with other internal devices.

If you have multiple USB-C ports on your Envy, plug the adapter into a different one.

Avoid using USB-A with a dongle if your adapter supports direct USB-C for max performance.

Test with a known high-speed device

If possible, test your exact same Ethernet cable, port, and router with a different laptop or desktop that has a native 2.5GbE port. See if that machine can hit ~2 Gbps down and up.

If that machine also tops out near ~300–400 Mbps down, the issue is likely at the router or ISP side.

If that machine gets full speed, then the bottleneck is your Envy.

Update chipset + USB drivers

Go to HP Support > Drivers & Downloads for your exact model.

Install the latest chipset drivers.

Also check your USB-C network adapter brand’s website, many Realtek, ASIX, or Marvell-based adapters have updated drivers.

Reboot and test again.

I hope this helps.

I'm glad I could help! 😊 If this resolved your issue, please mark it as "Accepted Solution" and click "Yes" on "Was this reply helpful?" Your feedback not only keeps us going but also helps others find the solution faster! 👍✨

Take care and have an amazing day ahead! 🚀

Best regards,

[Garlic_Dude]

Hi Kuroi_Kenshi,
Thank you for this information. Here is a summary of what I have tried all with no success ...
Check adapter link speed - Link Speed shows 1Gbps. I am using cat 6 cabling and the router supports up to 10Gbps.

Force full duplex manually - I have tried both 2.5Gbps Full Duplex and Auto Negotiation. I am still getting downloads around 309Mbps and uploads around 930Mbps.

Try different USB port - I have tried another USB-C port and there is no difference. I get very similar results using WiFi, where download speeds are approx 50% of upload.

Test with a known high-speed device - I do not have another device as described below, however have tried with another laptop and Macbook and both are getting downloads and uploads around 850 - 900Mbps.

Update chipset + USB drivers - all drivers are up to date

USB-C network adapter drivers also up to date.

In summary, the suggestions made have no impacted and still download 50% of uploads. It suggests bottleneck is the Envy.

Do you have suggestions how this can be fixed?

Thanks

[Kuroi_Kenshi]

Hi @Garlic_Dude,

Thank you so much for trying all those detailed steps and sharing clear feedback, that really helps narrow things down. Since your other devices get near full speeds on the same cable and port, you’re right: the bottleneck does appear to be within the Envy’s hardware or software configuration.

Let’s try a few more advanced checks to see if we can squeeze out that missing performance:

Confirm USB-C Port Bandwidth
Your HP Envy x360’s USB-C ports may share lanes with other internal components (like display output or charging). Sometimes, if the port is USB-C Gen 1 (5 Gbps) instead of Gen 2 (10 Gbps+), or not fully wired for high-bandwidth data, it can limit throughput, especially with external network adapters.

Please check your laptop’s specs for the exact USB-C port specs (Thunderbolt or USB 3.1 Gen 1 or Gen 2).

If available, test with a Thunderbolt-certified port or try a different port if your Envy has more than one USB-C.

Try a Different Adapter Chipset
Some USB network adapters (especially cheaper Realtek or ASIX ones) don’t reach full speeds on certain laptops due to driver or USB controller limits.

If possible, borrow or test with another brand/model of 2.5Gbps adapter, ideally one based on Intel or Marvell chipsets if available locally.

If your laptop supports Thunderbolt, a Thunderbolt-to-Ethernet adapter is often more reliable for max speed.

Adjust Advanced Adapter Settings
Open Device Manager > Network Adapters > [Your USB Adapter] > Properties > Advanced tab. Look for:

Large Send Offload (IPv4/IPv6), Try disabling these.

Energy Efficient Ethernet (EEE), Try disabling this.

Interrupt Moderation, Try turning this OFF.

Receive Side Scaling, Try toggling ON/OFF.
Sometimes these hidden settings affect peak throughput. Apply changes, reboot, and retest.

Run HP UEFI Diagnostics
To rule out a motherboard-side USB controller issue:

Shut down your laptop.

Power on and immediately press ESC, then F2 for System Diagnostics (or F10 > Diagnostics on some models).

Run the Component Tests > USB Port Test to confirm your ports are working at full bandwidth.

Test on Battery and AC
It sounds odd, but sometimes Windows Power Plans or USB Power Savings can throttle USB performance.

Try running a speed test on battery only.

Then plug in the charger, switch to High Performance or Ultimate Performance mode in Windows, and test again.

I hope this helps.

I'm glad I could help! 😊 If this resolved your issue, please mark it as "Accepted Solution" and click "Yes" on "Was this reply helpful?" Your feedback not only keeps us going but also helps others find the solution faster! 👍✨

Take care and have an amazing day ahead! 🚀

Best regards,

[Garlic_Dude]

Hi Kuroi_Kenshi,

I have followed all the steps you have outlined and it does not make any difference. The only steps I am not able to complete is where you have suggested additional hardware to try. I do not have this available.

After all the checks you suggested, I am still getting same downloads and uploads ie 300mbps and 900mbps respectively.

This thread was first started by someone that had similar issues. How was this resolved?

What other suggestions have you got?

Thanks

[Kuroi_Kenshi]

Hi,

We understand how important it is to have your device functioning properly, and we're here to assist you.​

To ensure your device receives the appropriate care, we recommend visiting an authorized HP service center. Our certified technicians can provide a thorough diagnosis and offer the best solutions to address the issue.​

You can locate the nearest HP service center using our Service Center Locator:​

🔗 HP Service Center Locator

If you need further assistance or have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact us.​

Best Regards,