Download speed good, upload very slow.

Question

I have a Dell Inspiron 15 3525. I recently ran a speedtest and download is 70Mbps which is what I expected. However upload is 0.2Mbps! I have other devices accessing the same hub with upload speeds of 20Mbps.

The laptop is literally no more than 12" (30cm) away from the hub. I power the laptop off regularly.

Any idea what the cause of the problem might be and a solution?

KT53 · Accepted Answer

Thought I'd give an update after a bit more searching and checking.

I ran the speed test again using four other test apps. Every one of them gave a consistent download speed around 70Mbps, but more interestingly they also all gave consistent upload speeds of between 18Mbps and 20Mbps.

It seems there isn't an issue with the laptop other than a possible incompatibility with Ookla Speedtest!

Thanks again to everybody who came up with suggestions. I'm just glad to know my kit is OK.

ejn63 · Answer

What type of Internet connection (cable/ADSL or fiber)? Wired or wireless to the computer? If wired, are you using a hub or router/switch?

Tesla1856 · Answer

If you are running Killer Networking App (in Task-Tray) try turning off all 5 Advanced-Features in Settings.   12-inches is a bit close. Try 36-inches away.

Kflash08 · Answer

I've seen cases where a particular WiFi adapter doesn't agree well with the router, or vice versa, creating connection and speed issues between the two. If any driver updates are available for your WiFi adapter, download and install them, restart the computer and see if the problem goes away. Also, try power-cycling your router to see if that solves the problem, or if at all possible, connect to another router/access point and see if your download speeds improve. Worse case situation would be to either replace your router or the WiFi adapter in your computer with a different brand/model.

KT53 · Answer

@ejn63​   Network connection from the outside world to the router is fibre. Wireless connection to the computer.

KT53 · Answer

@Tesla1856​ Not running Killer.  Tried moving the laptop away from the router but no change in the results.  Laptop is in the same position the previous laptop was, and there was no problem there.

KT53 · Answer

@Kflash08​   The WiFi adaptor is internal to the laptop.  All updates have been applied.  I have restarted the computer regularly.  Haven't tried power cycling the router yet but will give that a try.

Tesla1856 · Answer

@KT53​ , @Tesla1856​ Not running Killer.  Tried moving the laptop away from the router but no change in the results.  Laptop is in the same position the previous laptop was, and there was no problem there. Normally (but not always) if not errored in Device-Manager, it's a software/driver problem. Oh, well ... I guess run it through Dell Tech Support. Those combo WiFi-Bluetooth cards have been know to go bad. Problem is, I was looking inside a new-ish XPS laptop the other day and it's looks like the WiFi card is a super-tiny (BGA package) soldered-onto-motherboard device. Maybe yours is just a M.2-Mini-Card?   good Luck and you might consider a real ethernet wire if the router is that close.

KT53 · Answer

@Tesla1856​ Thanks for all the suggestions.  The laptop doesn't have an Ethernet port so I'll have to get an adaptor and see if that does make a difference.

Inspiron

Download speed good, upload very slow.

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