WIFI disconnects for a bit before coming back at crawling speeds

Because only this PC is affected, test its connection to the router during the next slowdown, then use the result to distinguish a Wi‑Fi adapter problem from an Internet or DNS problem.

1. Test the PC-to-router connection

Before resetting or reinstalling anything, open Command Prompt and run:

ipconfig
ping -t [IP Address]

Replace [IP Address] with the Default Gateway shown by ipconfig. Leave the ping running while using the PC; press Ctrl+C after the problem occurs.

Interpret the result:

• “Request timed out,” packet loss, or response times rising sharply: the fault is between the PC and the router—typically the wireless adapter, its driver, signal, interference, or router compatibility.
• Stable, low-latency replies while websites remain slow: the Wi-Fi link is still working, so investigate Internet service, DNS, proxy/VPN software, or bandwidth use instead.
• Other devices also become slow at the same moment: investigate the router/modem or ISP rather than Windows.

Microsoft recommends this gateway ping specifically to separate the Wi-Fi/router link from an upstream modem or ISP issue.^1^

2. If the gateway ping fails or spikes

Disable both forms of wireless power saving:

1. Press Windows+X → Device Manager.
2. Expand Network adapters and open the Wi-Fi adapter.
3. Under Power Management, clear Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power.
4. Open Control Panel → Hardware and Sound → Power Options.
5. Beside the active plan, select Change plan settings → Change advanced power settings.
6. Expand Wireless Adapter Settings → Power Saving Mode and select Maximum Performance.
7. Restart the PC and retest.^1^

Also test the other router band if separate 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz network names are available. If Ethernet remains stable while Wi-Fi fails, that further isolates the problem to the wireless path.

If the problem began after a Windows or driver update:

1. Download the recommended Wi-Fi driver for the exact PC model from the PC manufacturer first, so a backup is available.
2. Open Device Manager → Network adapters.
3. Right-click the Wi-Fi adapter → Uninstall device.
4. Select Attempt to remove the driver for this device, if offered.
5. Restart, then install the manufacturer’s driver if Windows does not install a working one automatically.^1^

3. If Wi-Fi stays connected but Internet access is slow

Open Task Manager with Ctrl+Shift+Esc and check the Network column for an application consuming bandwidth. Temporarily disconnect any VPN and check Settings → Network & Internet → Proxy for an unintended manual proxy.

Then open Command Prompt as administrator and run:

netsh winsock reset
netsh int ip reset
ipconfig /release
ipconfig /renew
ipconfig /flushdns

Restart afterward. These commands reset Winsock and TCP/IP, renew the address obtained from the router, and clear cached DNS data.^1^

4. Capture the disconnect reason if it continues

Immediately after another incident, open Command Prompt as administrator and run:

netsh wlan show drivers
netsh wlan show interfaces
netsh wlan show networks mode=bssid
netsh wlan show wlanreport

The last command displays the location of an HTML wireless report containing recent sessions, disconnect reasons, adapter details, and related events. Also note the incident time and inspect:

Event Viewer → Applications and Services Logs → Microsoft → Windows → WLAN-AutoConfig → Operational

Collect this evidence before performing Network reset, because resets, profile deletion, and driver removal can erase or temporarily alter useful diagnostic information.^2^

Use Settings → Network & Internet → Status → Network reset only as the last fallback. It removes and reinstalls network adapters and resets their settings; VPN clients or virtual networking software may need reconfiguration afterward.^1^

References

1. [Windows 10](https://support.microsoft.com/windows/experience/connectivity-networking/fix-wi-fi-connection-issues-in-windows#most-common-wi-fi-problems)
2. Advanced troubleshooting wireless network connectivity