Alex Ruben
How To Boost Your Internet Speed: Improve Downloads, Reduce Ping, and Fix Lag on Wired and WiFi (2025)
Are you tired of slow internet speeds, lagging connections, and high ping? This stuff is so frustrating, especially when streaming or gaming. Anyway, here’s a bunch of things that have actually helped to squeeze a little more juice out of the setup — at least in some cases.
Step 1: Change Your DNS Settings
Switching to a faster DNS can be surprisingly effective for improving browsing load times or streaming buffers. The reason? Your DNS is like the directory that finds websites for you, and some servers are faster than others. So, here’s how to do it:
- Hit Windows + S to open the search bar.
- Type Control Panel and open it.
- Click on Network and Internet.
- Open Network and Sharing Center.
- Click on your active connection (it might say Ethernet or Wi-Fi), then hit Properties.
- Find and select Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4), then click Properties again.
- Choose Use the following DNS server addresses. Enter:
Why it helps: Changing DNS to Google or Cloudflare makes lookups faster, especially if your default ISP DNS is slow or flaky.
When it applies: If web pages are slow to load or streaming buffering drags out.
Step 2: Disable Background Apps
Apps running in the background eat bandwidth and system resources. You might not even realize how much this impacts your connection, especially if you’re updating or syncing stuff all the time. Here’s what to do:
- Press Windows + I for Settings.
- Go to Privacy.
- Scroll down to Background apps on the left menu.
- Turn off the toggle that says Let apps run in the background.
Note: On some setups, this will stop all background processes. Others might need you to disable app-by-app. For example, if you’re seeing network issues during gaming or streaming, killing background apps can clear some bandwidth hogs.
Why it helps: Less background noise = more bandwidth for your actual chores like browsing, gaming, or streaming.
When it applies: Slow speeds, lag, or high ping during online activities.
Step 3: Pause Windows Updates Temporarily
Because of course Windows has to make this as complicated as possible, updates can run anytime and hog bandwidth — especially if you’re doing something sensitive online. And sometimes, just pausing them for a bit can smooth things out.
- Open Settings (Windows + I).
- Go to Update & Security.
- Click on Windows Update.
- Select Advanced options.
- Scroll down to Pause updates. Pick a max of 7 days (or until next restart).
Note: After that, updates will try to resume, so you might need to hit pause again if bandwidth is still a problem.
Why it helps: Windows updates can download at full throttle without warning, sucking up all your bandwidth. Pausing gives you control.
When it applies: During gaming or streaming when bandwidth feels sluggish.
Step 4: Update Network Drivers
Old or buggy drivers can turn your network performance into a mess. The easiest way is to use driver updater tools or do it manually:
- Search for Driver Booster or go directly to the official site, like IObit’s Driver Booster. It’s free for basic scanning.
- Download and install.
- Run it, hit Scan. It’ll tell you if your drivers are out of date.
- If there are updates, click Update Now. Often, you’ll need to reboot afterward to finish the job.
Manual option: if you prefer digging through Device Manager — Press Windows + X and select Device Manager. Find your network adapter under Network adapters, right-click it, then choose Update driver. Select Search automatically for drivers.
Why it helps: Modern updates fix bugs, improve compatibility, and sometimes even tweak throughput settings.
When it applies: When your connection is flaky or painfully slow even after fiddling with other stuff.
Extra Tips & Common Issues
And because sometimes the basics aren’t enough:
- If possible, switch to wired Ethernet instead of Wi-Fi. Wired is usually faster and more stable—no interference from walls or devices.
- Make sure your router’s firmware is current. Check the manufacturer’s site for updates.
- Restart your router every once in a while. Clears cache and resets connections that might be jammed up.
- If on Wi-Fi, aim your router centrally and away from thick walls or appliances that cause interference. Simple stuff, but it works on some setups.
Conclusion
Basically, a combo of switching DNS, killing background apps, pausing Windows updates, and updating drivers can help squeeze out a few extra Mbps here and there. Not a miracle fix, but often enough to notice. Keep on top of your network setup, and it stays faster and more reliable.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a good DNS server?
Google’s 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4 are reliable and pretty quick, especially if your ISP’s DNS is slow or buggy.
How do I know if my internet speed is improved?
Run a quick test at Speedtest.net. Do it before and after changes for comparison.
Why should I update my network drivers?
It can fix weird bugs, fix compatibility issues, and help your internet run at its best. Sometimes, just updating fixes a speed problem that seemed random.
Summary
- Switch DNS to Google or Cloudflare for faster lookups
- Turn off background apps that eat your bandwidth
- Pause Windows updates when doing bandwidth-heavy stuff
- Keep network drivers up to date
Hopefully this shaves off a few hours for someone. No promises, but these got me some improvements on different setups. Good luck!