Why Wi-Fi is slower on a laptop than on a phone - we look at 7 key reasons

Have you noticed that on a smartphone pages load instantly, videos in 4K plays without buffering, and on a laptop the same YouTube Does it constantly freeze and loading files takes forever? This situation is familiar to many - and it is not always associated with “bad Internet”. The fact is that laptops and phones interact differently with Wi-Fi networks, and the difference in speed can be up to 2–3 times even when connected to the same router.

In this article, we will not tell you banal advice like “reboot the router” (although this sometimes helps). Instead, let's figure it out technical reasons, why a laptop slows down on Wi-Fi more than a phone: from hardware limitations to hidden Windows/macOS settings. You will learn how to diagnose the problem, what router parameters affect the speed, and what to do if, even after all the manipulations, the laptop stubbornly lags behind the smartphone.

1. Different Wi-Fi standards: why the phone “overtakes” the laptop

The first and most common reason is incompatibility of Wi-Fi standards. Modern smartphones (for example, iPhone 15 or Samsung Galaxy S23) support the latest standard Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax), which operates at the frequency 6 GHz and provides speeds up to 9.6 Gbps. But many laptops, especially Released before 2020, are limited Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) or even Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n) - and their maximum speed is 2–4 times lower.

How to check which standard your laptop supports?

• 🔍 On Windows: open Device Manager → Network adapters → find the Wi-Fi module model (for example, Intel AX200 or Qualcomm Atheros QCA61x4) and check out its characteristics.
• 🍎 On macOS: Click on the Wi-Fi icon in the menu bar → Open network settings → Additionally → tab Wi-Fi.
• 📱 On Android/iOS: The Wi-Fi standard is usually listed in the model specifications on the manufacturer's website.

Critical detail: Even if a laptop supports Wi-Fi 6, it may automatically connect to a slower 2.4 GHz network instead of 5 GHz due to router settings or drivers. More on this in the next section.

2. Frequency range: 2.4 GHz vs 5 GHz vs 6 GHz

Routers broadcast on several frequencies, and here lies another trap. Range 2.4 GHz has a large coverage area, but is heavily overloaded (microwaves, wireless mice and neighboring networks work on it), and 5 GHz And 6 GHz faster and more stable. The problem is that:

• ⚡ Many laptops connect to 2.4 GHz, even if the router supports 5 GHz.
• 📵 Phones are more often “prioritized” 5 GHz, especially if they are standing next to the router.
• 🔄 Some routers combine networks into one SSID (for example, MyWiFi instead of MyWiFi_2G And MyWiFi_5G), and devices choose the range themselves - not always optimal.

How to make a laptop use 5 GHz:

1. Separate networks in the router settings (create separate SSIDs for 2.4 GHz And 5 GHz).
2. Manually connect to the network 5 GHz on a laptop.
3. Update the Wi-Fi adapter driver (instructions below).

⚠️ Attention: If your router does not support 5 GHz, no laptop settings will help - you will have to change the router or use a wired connection (Ethernet).

3. Drivers and network adapter settings

Outdated or crooked Wi-Fi adapter drivers are one of the main reasons for slow speeds. Laptop manufacturers (especially Lenovo, HP, Dell) often install generic drivers that are not optimized for maximum performance. As a result, the adapter operates in compatibility mode, limiting the speed to Wi-Fi 4 even if it supports Wi-Fi 6.

How to update the driver correctly:

Download the latest version from the adapter manufacturer's website (Intel, Qualcomm, Broadcom), not from the laptop's website|

Remove the old driver via Device Manager (check “Remove driver programs for this device”)|

Install the new driver and reboot your laptop|

Check in Adapter propertiesthat it works in mode 802.11ax (or at least 802.11ac)-->

Additional adapter settings (for Windows):

1. Open Device Manager → Network adapters → right click on your Wi-Fi → Properties → tab Additionally.
2. Check the parameters:
   • Wireless Mode - install 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax (or maximum available).
   • Roaming Aggressiveness - put 1. Lowest (this will reduce frequent reconnections).
   • Transmit Power — select Highest (if there is such a parameter).

⚠️ Attention: On macOS, drivers are updated along with the system, but sometimes resetting the network settings helps: System Settings → Network → Advanced → TCP/IP → Update DHCP.

4. Router settings: what prevents the laptop from “overclocking”

Even if the laptop and phone support the same Wi-Fi standards, the router can choke the speed due to incorrect settings. Here are the key parameters to check:

• 📶 Channel Width: In the router settings (section Wireless or Wi-Fi) install 80 MHz for 5 GHz (or 160 MHz, if supported). Narrow channels (20/40 MHz) limit the speed.
• 🔄 Operating mode (Wireless Mode): Select 802.11ac/ax (or 802.11n/ac/ax). Mode Legacy or 802.11b/g slows down modern devices.
• 🔒 Encryption type: Use WPA3 or WPA2-AES. Outdated TKIP or mixed mode WPA/WPA2 reduces speed by 20–30%.
• 📡 Transmit Power: Set to High or 100% (in some routers this is hidden in Advanced Settings).

Also check if the router has any functions enabled that may limit the speed:

• 🛑 Band Steering (automatic switching between 2.4 GHz And 5 GHz) - sometimes does not work correctly.
• 📊 QoS (Quality of Service) - if configured incorrectly, it can “cut down” the speed for laptops.
• 🔌 IGMP Snooping - useful for IPTV, but may conflict with some adapters.

5. Interference and physical obstacles

Wi-Fi is a radio signal that is susceptible to interference. Laptops often suffer from weaker signal strength than phones for three reasons:

1. Metal body (especially for MacBook or bonus Dell XPS) shields the signal.
2. Wi-Fi antennas in laptops is usually weaker than in phones (where they are built into the body for optimal reception).
3. Location: The laptop often stands on the table away from the router, and we carry the phone with us.

How to improve the signal:

• 📍 Move the router closer to the laptop (ideally at a height of 1–1.5 m from the floor).
• 📶 Use Mesh system or repeater, if the router is far away.
• 🔄 Change the Wi-Fi channel in the router settings (use programs like Wi-Fi Analyzer for Android or NetSpot for macOS/Windows to find the freest channel).
• 🛠️ For laptops with a connector M.2 you can install a more powerful Wi-Fi module (for example, Intel AX210 instead of the standard one).

netsh wlan show interfaces

6. Software limitations: Windows vs macOS vs Linux

The operating system may artificially limit Wi-Fi speed due to background processes, power saving settings, or network policies. Let's look at the features of each OS:

Another common problem on Windows is bandwidth reservation limit. By default, the system reserves up to 20% of the speed for updates and background tasks. To disable:

1. Click Win + R, enter gpedit.msc (for Windows Pro).
2. Go to Computer Configuration → Administrative Templates → Network → QoS Scheduler Package.
3. Find the parameter Limit reserved bandwidth and install 0%.

⚠️ Attention: On Windows Home Group Policy Editor is missing. In this case, use the registry: open regedit, find the key HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Psched and create a parameter NonBestEffortLimit with meaning 0.

7. Laptop hardware limitations

If all the settings are checked, and the speed on the laptop is still lower than on the phone, the problem may be in the hardware:

• 🖥️ Single antenna Wi-Fi module: Many budget laptops (eg. Lenovo IdeaPad or Acer Aspire) are equipped with adapters with one antenna (1x1 MIMO), whereas telephones often have 2x2 MIMO, which doubles the speed.
• 🔌 USB 2.0 ports: If you are using an external Wi-Fi adapter connected to USB 2.0, its maximum speed is limited 480 Mbit/s (even if the adapter supports 1 Gbit/s).
• 🔋 Overheating: Under high load, the laptop can throttle (reduce frequencies) the processor and network adapter, which affects the speed.

Solutions:

• 🔧 Replace the built-in Wi-Fi module with a more powerful one (for example, Intel AX200 or Killer AX1650).
• 🖱️ Use an external adapter with USB 3.0 (For example, TP-Link Archer TX3000E).
• ❄️ Monitor your laptop temperature (use HWMonitor or Macs Fan Control).

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about slow Wi-Fi on a laptop

netsh wlan show interfaces