Why Is My Wifi Slower On My Laptop Than My Phone Router Settings To Check

It’s a common frustration: your phone loads web pages instantly, but your laptop crawls through the same tasks. You're using the same Wi-Fi network, yet one device performs significantly better than the other. This isn’t just in your head—there are real technical reasons behind inconsistent wireless speeds across devices. While phones often appear faster due to optimized software and newer hardware, laptops can suffer from outdated components, interference, or misconfigured router settings.

Understanding the root causes of this disparity allows you to diagnose and fix the issue efficiently. From checking your router’s band steering settings to verifying your laptop’s wireless adapter capabilities, several factors influence performance. This guide breaks down the most common culprits and provides actionable steps to balance your connection across all devices.

Hardware Differences Between Laptops and Phones

The first factor to consider is hardware capability. Modern smartphones are built with compact, energy-efficient Wi-Fi chips that support the latest standards like Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax). Many mid-range and flagship phones released after 2020 include dual-band support (2.4 GHz and 5 GHz), beamforming, and MU-MIMO—all features designed to improve signal reception and throughput.

Laptops, especially those more than three years old, may use older Wi-Fi adapters limited to Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n) or early versions of Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac). These adapters lack support for advanced modulation techniques and multiple spatial streams, resulting in lower maximum speeds. Additionally, internal antennas in laptops are often smaller and less optimally placed than those in phones, which are engineered for consistent signal strength in various orientations.

Tip: Check your laptop’s Wi-Fi standard by reviewing its specs or using tools like Device Manager (Windows) or System Information (macOS).

Router Settings That Affect Device Performance

Your router plays a central role in how each device experiences Wi-Fi. Even if your laptop has capable hardware, incorrect router settings can throttle its speed. Below are key configurations that disproportionately affect laptops over phones.

1. Band Steering and Dual-Band Prioritization

Most modern routers broadcast two frequencies: 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz. The 2.4 GHz band travels farther but is slower and more congested. The 5 GHz band offers higher speeds but shorter range. Some routers use “band steering” to automatically push devices to the best available band. However, not all laptops respond well to these signals.

Phones typically have stronger band-switching logic and reassociate quickly when moved between rooms. Laptops, particularly with older drivers, may stick to a weaker 2.4 GHz connection even when within range of a strong 5 GHz signal.

2. Channel Width and Interference

Routers allow channel width settings such as 20 MHz, 40 MHz, 80 MHz, or 160 MHz. Wider channels enable faster data transfer but are more prone to interference. In dense environments (apartments, offices), wide channels can degrade performance. Some laptops struggle more than phones when interference occurs due to less sensitive receivers.

3. QoS (Quality of Service) Rules

If QoS is enabled, your router might prioritize certain types of traffic or specific devices. For example, streaming devices or phones used for video calls could be given higher priority, unintentionally deprioritizing your laptop during downloads or large file transfers.

4. Legacy Mode and Backward Compatibility

To support older devices, many routers operate in mixed mode (e.g., 802.11b/g/n). This compatibility comes at a cost: when legacy devices connect, the entire network slows down because the router must accommodate slower transmission rates. If your laptop uses an older Wi-Fi standard, it may trigger these fallback mechanisms more frequently than your phone.

“Wi-Fi performance isn't just about signal strength—it's also about protocol efficiency. A single slow device can bottleneck an entire network.” — David Lin, Network Infrastructure Engineer at NetSignal Labs

Step-by-Step Guide to Diagnose and Fix Slow Laptop Wi-Fi

Follow this structured process to identify and resolve the cause of your laptop’s sluggish connection.

1. Test Speeds on Both Devices
   Use the same speed test tool (e.g., Speedtest.net) on both your phone and laptop while connected to the same network and located in the same spot. Note download/upload speeds and ping.
2. Verify Connection Band
   On Windows: Go to Settings > Network & Internet > Wi-Fi > Properties. Look for “Network Band” under Properties. On macOS: Hold Option and click the Wi-Fi icon; check the “Channel” field to see if it’s 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz.
3. Check Wi-Fi Adapter Capabilities
   On Windows: Open Device Manager > Network Adapters. Find your wireless adapter (e.g., Intel AX200, Realtek RTL8821CE). Search the model online to confirm supported standards (Wi-Fi 5, Wi-Fi 6, etc.).
4. Update Wireless Drivers
   Outdated drivers can cripple performance. Visit your laptop manufacturer’s website or the adapter maker’s site (Intel, Broadcom, etc.) to download the latest driver.
5. Access Your Router Settings
   Log into your router (usually via 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1). Navigate to Wireless Settings and review the following:
• Ensure 5 GHz is enabled.
• Set channel width to 80 MHz for 5 GHz (if minimal interference).
• Disable \"Mixed Mode\" or \"Legacy Support\" if no older devices rely on it.
• Turn off band steering temporarily to manually connect your laptop to 5 GHz.
6. Reboot and Reconnect
   Restart the router and reconnect your laptop. Force it to join the 5 GHz network by forgetting the 2.4 GHz SSID if they’re named differently.

Comparison Table: Phone vs. Laptop Wi-Fi Performance Factors

Factor	Typical Phone Capability	Typical Laptop Limitation	Solution
Wi-Fi Standard	Wi-Fi 5 / Wi-Fi 6 / Wi-Fi 6E	Wi-Fi 4 or early Wi-Fi 5	Upgrade laptop or use USB Wi-Fi 6 adapter
Antenna Design	Multiple small antennas with MIMO	Fewer, larger, fixed-position antennas	Optimize placement; avoid blocking ports
Battery Optimization	Aggressive power saving	May reduce radio power in sleep mode	Adjust power settings to prefer performance
Driver Updates	Integrated into OS updates	Often neglected by users	Manually update drivers quarterly
Band Switching	Fast and seamless	Slower, may require manual intervention	Separate SSIDs for 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz

Real-World Example: Office Worker Struggles with Video Calls

Sarah, a remote marketing consultant, noticed her Zoom meetings consistently froze on her 2018 Dell laptop, while her iPhone handled the same calls flawlessly. She assumed the issue was her internet plan until she ran a side-by-side speed test. Her phone recorded 85 Mbps down; her laptop barely reached 18 Mbps.

After checking her router, she discovered both bands shared the same SSID. Her laptop had latched onto the 2.4 GHz network despite being near the router. By renaming the 5 GHz network to a unique name (e.g., “Home-WiFi-5G”), she forced her laptop to connect directly to the faster band. She also updated her Intel Wi-Fi driver, which had not been refreshed in over a year. Post-update, her speeds jumped to 76 Mbps—close to her phone’s performance.

Tip: Use separate SSIDs for 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz networks to manually control which band your laptop uses.

Essential Router Settings Checklist

Use this checklist to audit your router configuration and ensure optimal performance for all devices:

• ✅ Enable 5 GHz band with a unique SSID
• ✅ Set 5 GHz channel width to 80 MHz (avoid 160 MHz unless interference-free)
• ✅ Choose non-overlapping channels (e.g., 36, 40, 44, 48 for 5 GHz)
• ✅ Disable WMM Power Save if laptops experience lag
• ✅ Turn off legacy modes (802.11b/g) if no old devices are in use
• ✅ Update router firmware to the latest version
• ✅ Disable client isolation if file sharing or screen mirroring fails
• ✅ Review QoS settings—ensure laptops aren’t deprioritized

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my phone get better Wi-Fi than my laptop even when I'm sitting next to the router?

This usually stems from your laptop connecting to the 2.4 GHz band instead of 5 GHz, using an outdated Wi-Fi adapter, or having power-saving settings that throttle the wireless card. Phones often have superior antenna design and faster roaming logic, allowing them to maintain high-speed connections more effectively.

Can a USB Wi-Fi adapter really improve my laptop’s speed?

Yes. A high-quality USB 3.0 Wi-Fi 6 adapter (e.g., TP-Link Archer TX20U) can outperform built-in cards in older laptops. These adapters support 5 GHz, 80 MHz channels, and MU-MIMO, dramatically improving throughput and stability—especially for video conferencing and HD streaming.

Should I upgrade my router if my laptop is still slow after trying everything?

If your router is more than five years old, upgrading may help. Newer routers offer better beamforming, OFDMA, and improved handling of multiple devices. However, ensure your laptop can take advantage of these features. Pairing a Wi-Fi 6 router with a Wi-Fi 4 laptop yields limited gains.

Conclusion: Optimize Your Setup for Balanced Performance

Differences in Wi-Fi speed between your phone and laptop don’t have to be permanent. With a methodical approach, you can identify whether the bottleneck lies in hardware, software, or router configuration. Start by isolating the connection band, updating drivers, and adjusting key settings like channel width and legacy mode. Small changes—like separating your 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz networks—can lead to dramatic improvements.

Technology should serve you seamlessly, not create confusion. Take control of your home network today. Apply these insights, test the results, and enjoy a faster, more consistent experience across all your devices.

🚀 Ready to boost your laptop’s Wi-Fi? Audit your router settings tonight and share your before-and-after speeds in the comments!