Slow WiFi Download Speeds on Laptop (15s-fq2000 -- 2D119AV)

[geo2]

Hoping someone can advise.  The WiFi download speed on my HP laptop is pretty slow -- maxes out at 288mbps. It's using the 802.11ac protocol. The laptop is running Win 11. The WiFi driver is up to date, and I'm accessing WiFi via an Netgear Orbi mesh system. 

I think there's something wrong with my laptop -- either some setting is off or there is a compatibility issue -- as I get much faster speeds on my Mac (900mbps+) and even on my iPhone (645mbps).

Does anyone have a recommendation on troubleshooting and/or how to fix this. I looked into upgrading the WiFi card, but I'd rather not get into that if I can help it....especially if there is an "easier" fix.

Thanks in advance for any guidance you can provide.

[Paul_Tikkanen]

What model Wi-Fi card does your notebook come with?

[geo2]

It comes with the Realtek RTL8821CE 802.11ac PCIe Adapter.

[Paul_Tikkanen]

That model card only has a maximum throughput of 433 MBPS on the 5.0 GHz Wi-Fi band with an excellent signal.

Consider yourself very lucky that you are getting 288 mbps out of it.

The most I've gotten out of mine is 200 mbps and that is with the notebook 10 feet from the router.

Most of the time it is half that.

You can check to to see what speed the card is connecting at by going to the Windows control panel>network and internet>network and sharing center>view your active networks and click on the wireless connection on the right side of that window.  That will show you the actual speed the card is connecting to your router at.

There isn't much you can do about the speeds you are getting.

The only suggestion I can offer would be to make sure you have the latest driver installed that HP currently has:

Version 2024.10.230.2

sp157102.exe

[geo2]

Thank you for the insight!

Well, that's pretty frustrating.  Would you suggest I upgrade the card -- if that is even possible in this system?

I checked the connection speed based on your instructions and it says it's connecting at 433.3Mbps...but I'm getting much slower than that as measured by Speed Test.  It's now fluctuating between 150 and 190-ish Mbps.

[Paul_Tikkanen]

You're very welcome. 

Unfortunately, you won't be able to upgrade the wifi card.

[geo2]

Ok.  Thanks again for the help.

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Anytime.