internet speeds

[vaughn36]

my laptop started capping my internet speeds in the last couple of months, i have windows 11 24h version, i have a wireless usb network adapter for wifi 7, it used to run around 1000MBps but now only goes up to no more than 350MBps, i reinstall the windows 11 repair version 24h (repair version) and the speeds are back to 1000, if i just hibernate the laptop and open the lid the speeds stay fine.  but if i shut down the laptop and turn it on later, the cap returns.   I have done this several times and do not know what to do other than never shut down the computer,   any help would be great

[Kuroi_Kenshi]

Hi @vaughn36,

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,

[vaughnburkett]

HP Laptop 15-fd0xxx

[Kuroi_Kenshi]

Hi @vaughn36,

Thank you for the response.

Try these steps:

Check Network Adapter Settings:

• Ensure that your USB Wi-Fi 7 adapter settings are configured correctly. Access the settings via Device Manager:
  • Right-click on the Start button, select Device Manager.
  • Locate your network adapter under Network adapters.
  • Right-click the adapter and select Properties.
  • Examine the advanced settings, such as power management and performance, and ensure they are optimally set.

Update Drivers:

• Verify that you have the latest drivers for your USB Wi-Fi adapter installed. Visit the manufacturer's website to download any updates.

Adjust Power Management:

• Sometimes, power management settings can affect performance:
  • Open Device Manager, select your network adapter's Properties.
  • Navigate to the Power Management tab and uncheck "Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power."

Use High-Performance Power Plan:

• Ensure your laptop is using the High-Performance power plan:
  • Go to Control Panel > Power Options and select High Performance.

Check for Interference:

• Ensure there are no physical obstructions or electronic devices causing interference between the laptop and the router.

Router Settings:

• Make sure your router and network support the speeds you are trying to achieve. Check settings to ensure bandwidth is not being restricted.

Windows Updates:

• Ensure all Windows updates are installed, as these may include important network performance improvements.

Reinstall Wi-Fi Adapter:

• If issues persist, temporarily uninstall the Wi-Fi adapter from Device Manager and reinstall it. This can sometimes resolve residual issues.

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,

[vaughnburkett]

i have already done all of those things before posting 

[Kuroi_Kenshi]

Hi @vaughn36,

Thank you for the response.

Given your description, full speed after a repair install or hibernation, but speed caps after a cold boot, this isn’t just “Wi-Fi interference” or basic settings. It sounds like something in the boot process is forcing the adapter into a lower link speed or driver mode after shutdown, likely tied to driver initialization, Windows 11 fast startup, or USB power state handling.

Here’s a deeper troubleshooting sequence you can try:

Disable Fast Startup

Fast Startup can cause Windows to load drivers from a hibernation snapshot instead of a fresh init, and that can change behavior between shutdown and hibernate.

Control Panel → Hardware and Sound → Power Options → Choose what the power buttons do

Click Change settings that are currently unavailable

Uncheck "Turn on fast startup (recommended)"

Save and reboot from a full shutdown to see if speeds remain normal.

Force the Adapter to Use Maximum Link Speed

Sometimes after shutdown, Windows negotiates at a lower PHY rate.

Device Manager → Network adapters → Your Wi-Fi 7 USB → Properties → Advanced tab.

Look for options like:

Wireless Mode / 802.11 Mode → Set to the highest (e.g., 802.11be / ax / ac depending on the driver naming).

Preferred Band → Set to 5 GHz or 6 GHz instead of Auto.

Channel Width → Set to 160 MHz.

Link Speed / Data Rate → Force maximum (sometimes called “VHT mode” or “HE mode”).

Apply, then reboot.

Disable USB Selective Suspend

USB network adapters can get throttled if the USB controller wakes in a low-power mode.

Control Panel → Power Options → Edit your plan → Change advanced power settings.

Expand USB settings → USB selective suspend setting → Set Disabled for both Battery and Plugged In.

Also in Device Manager → USB Root Hub (xHCI) → Properties → Power Management tab → Uncheck "Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power."

Roll Back or Manually Install a Different Driver Build

If the manufacturer’s driver site has multiple versions:

Test with both the newest and an earlier stable release.

Avoid only relying on Windows Update’s auto-installed driver, those can be feature-limited.

Check for Router-Side Negotiation Issues

Sometimes cold boots cause the client to connect using a fallback profile from the router.

Log into your router and check the client link rate after a cold boot vs after hibernation.

If the link rate itself is capped (e.g., 300–400 Mbps), it’s not Windows throttling, it’s the negotiation.

If that’s the case, try:

Forcing the SSID to only advertise Wi-Fi 6E/7 bands.

Assigning separate SSIDs for 2.4, 5, and 6 GHz to force the adapter onto the fastest one.

Test Without the USB Adapter (if possible)

If your laptop has an internal Wi-Fi card, test it for speed after cold boot, that will tell you if it’s adapter-specific or a general OS/network stack issue.

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,