How to Fix Slow WiFi After Sleep in Windows 11

Windows 11 users sometimes notice a dramatic drop in WiFi speed after their system wakes from sleep. Downloads can slow to a crawl, and network performance may remain sluggish until a full reboot is performed. Fortunately, several targeted fixes can restore normal WiFi speeds without restarting your PC. These solutions tackle common culprits such as power management conflicts, adapter misconfigurations, and outdated drivers.

1. Adjust WiFi Adapter Power Management and Wake Settings

Step 1: Press Windows + X and select Device Manager.

Step 2: Expand Network adapters and double-click your WiFi adapter.

Step 3: In the Power Management tab, uncheck Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power. This prevents Windows from disabling the adapter during sleep.

Step 4: Switch to the Advanced tab. Set Wake on Magic Packet and Wake on Pattern Match to Disabled to avoid low-power states that can throttle speed.

Step 5: Click OK to apply changes and test WiFi speed after waking from sleep.

2. Reset and Renew Network Connections Using a Batch File

Step 1: Open Notepad and paste the following commands:

ipconfig /release
ipconfig /renew
arp -d *
nbtstat -R
nbtstat -RR
ipconfig /flushdns
ipconfig /registerdns

Step 2: Save the file as resetnet.bat on your desktop.

Step 3: Right-click the batch file and select Run as administrator whenever WiFi slows after sleep. This script releases and renews your IP, clears cached network info, and registers DNS.

Step 4: Optionally, create a desktop shortcut and assign a keyboard shortcut for quick access.

3. Update or Reinstall WiFi Drivers

Step 1: Visit your laptop or adapter manufacturer’s website for the latest Windows 11-compatible drivers. Intel users can check both the OEM and Intel sites.

Step 2: In Device Manager, right-click your WiFi adapter and select Uninstall device. Confirm and restart. Windows will reinstall the driver automatically, or you can manually install the downloaded driver for best performance.

Step 3: Test WiFi speeds after waking from sleep to verify improvement.

4. Modify Router Channel Width or Band Settings

Step 1: Log in to your router’s web interface, typically via 192.168.1.1 or your router’s IP.

Step 2: Find the WiFi channel width or bandwidth setting. For older routers, set 20MHz instead of Auto 20/40MHz. This prevents slowdowns when using WiFi 6 adapters on older 2.4GHz networks.

Step 3: Save settings and reboot the router if necessary. Reconnect your Windows 11 device and test speeds after sleep.

5. Disable Fast Startup and Adjust Sleep Behavior

Step 1: Open Control Panel > Power Options > Choose what the power buttons do.

Step 2: Click Change settings that are currently unavailable, then uncheck Turn on fast startup (recommended). Fast Startup can leave network adapters partially suspended, reducing performance after sleep.

Step 3: Save changes, restart your computer, and check WiFi speeds after waking.

6. Reconnect or Forget and Rejoin Your Network

Step 1: Open Settings > Network & Internet > WiFi.

Step 2: Click Manage known networks, select your network, and choose Forget.

Step 3: Reconnect by selecting the network from the list and entering the password. This refreshes your connection profile and often resolves persistent slowdowns.

Conclusion

Slow WiFi after sleep in Windows 11 doesn’t have to disrupt your workflow. By adjusting adapter power settings, resetting network connections, updating drivers, and optimizing router and system configurations, you can restore full WiFi speed without frequent reboots. Following these steps ensures a smoother, more reliable network experience every time your PC wakes from sleep.