Slow WIFI on my laptop (Intel wifi 6E), but OK on another with just 6

I'm not a massive tech person so info might be a bit basic. My laptop is a Dell, with a decent spec, operating Windows 11. The wifi driver is a 6E. My wifi speed is pretty dismal at around 25gb. My mobile phone will achieve around 120gb. More importantly, my partners' wifi speed on her laptop (who's spec isn't as good as mine and we're using same household router) is around 120gb - she has a intel 6 driver. I've had a look on the internet as to why my speed is so poor, but I'm struggling to find an answer (especially one that I understand). I am wondering whether it might be down to me having a 6E driver. Could this be the case? If not any ideas where I go from here.

Hi NB008, welcome to the ElevenForum

For members to help you, it may be important for you to edit your system specs and tell us the exact model of your Dell. If you don’t know, it may be under the laptop or on an invoice somewhere.

Regards

Welcome @NB008

I'm a longtime Dell laptop user, having had 7 or 8 Dell XPS 15 laptops over the years. If you simply go to Dell.com, Dell will identify your laptop and check for available recommended updates. Give that a try. I've discovered that if I don't use the Dell recommended drivers there can sometimes be problems.

It’s probably just the limitation of your 10/100 mb ethernet port. My Dell laptop is the same, you’re doing wrong here, Dell basically saving a few cents. If I use a usb Wi-Fi adapter, my speed will increase to around 450 mbps.

With no info to go with - then a generic answer, check to see if you're connected to the 2.4 GHz band as that signal will be stronger but slower. If you are on the 2.4 Change to the 5GHz.

Fabler2 said:

With no info to go with - then a generic answer, check to see if you're connected to the 2.4 GHz band as that signal will be stronger but slower. If you are on the 2.4 Change to the 5GHz.

Click to expand...

Cheers, I was just going to mention that.
Click on the WiFi icon on your taskbar, check your connection.



You could check how your wife is connected and try the same connection, if it isn’t already the same.

RD Mercer said:

It’s probably just the limitation of your 10/100 mb ethernet port. My Dell laptop is the same, you’re doing wrong here, Dell basically saving a few cents. If I use a usb Wi-Fi adapter, my speed will increase to around 450 mbps.

Click to expand...

Huh - Op is talking about wifi.

Even really old adaptors are good for 300 mbps.

Right click on the WiFi icon bottom right
Network and Internet settings > WiFi > Click on right side arrow >

2nd box > SSID Properties > click on right side arrow >
Scroll down to

Protocol:
Description:
Driver version:

Network band:
Link speed(Receive/Trasmit):

Fill in numbers and text for that lot, or do screen cut.

At least that will give some basic technical info.

cereberus said:

Huh - Op is talking about wifi.

Even really old adaptors are good for 300 mbps.

Click to expand...

Yeah, some of us are just old, but switching gears for a moment, "some" Dell laptops on have 10/100 mbps ethernet ability. My DELL INSPIRON 5575 10/100 ethernet controller. Read page 17 on communications. https://dl.dell.com/topicspdf/inspiron-15-5575-laptop_setup-guide_en-us.pdf

Helmut said:

Right click on the WiFi icon bottom right
Network and Internet settings > WiFi > Click on right side arrow >

2nd box > SSID Properties > click on right side arrow >
Scroll down to

Protocol:
Description:
Driver version:

Network band:
Link speed(Receive/Trasmit):

Fill in numbers and text for that lot, or do screen cut.

At least that will give some basic technical info.

Click to expand...

Thanks for the reply. Here's a screenshot as requested - I've also captured my partner's settings too, to compare.

Fabler2 said:

With no info to go with - then a generic answer, check to see if you're connected to the 2.4 GHz band as that signal will be stronger but slower. If you are on the 2.4 Change to the 5GHz.

Click to expand...

I am already on 5GHz. I've posted a screengrab of settings

TraderGary said:

Welcome @NB008

I'm a longtime Dell laptop user, having had 7 or 8 Dell XPS 15 laptops over the years. If you simply go to Dell.com, Dell will identify your laptop and check for available recommended updates. Give that a try. I've discovered that if I don't use the Dell recommended drivers there can sometimes be problems.

Click to expand...

Thanks. I've checked and drivers are ok.

antspants said:

Hi NB008, welcome to the ElevenForum

For members to help you, it may be important for you to edit your system specs and tell us the exact model of your Dell. If you don’t know, it may be under the laptop or on an invoice somewhere.

Regards

Click to expand...

Thanks.
Laptop is Dell XPS 15 9520,

NB008 said:

Thanks for the reply. Here's a screenshot as requested - I've also captured my partner's settings too, to compare.
View attachment 89866 View attachment 89867

Click to expand...

My settings have changed from the above. No idea why! - see below

NB008 said:

My settings have changed from the above. No idea why! - see belowView attachment 89869

Click to expand...

It's auto selecting the band hence slow speed. In the wlan card's properties select the advances tab and see if the 2.4 Ghz band can be disabled so it just selects the 5 Ghz. Also check out the values of the 5Ghx band.

Fabler2 said:

It's auto selecting the band hence slow speed. In the wlan card's properties select the advances tab and see if the 2.4 Ghz band can be disabled so it just selects the 5 Ghz. Also check out the values of the 5Ghx band.View attachment 89870

View attachment 89871

View attachment 89872

Click to expand...

Thanks.
I don't have the same options as you do. There's a screen grab below. I did change the value of the existing property to '1.5GHz 802.11a', but it didn't make it any better.

NB008 said:

Thanks.
I don't have the same options as you do. There's a screen grab below. I did change the value of the existing property to '1.5GHz 802.11a', but it didn't make it any better.
View attachment 89889

Click to expand...

Remember the default settings before adjusting for best performance
Note you have a preferred band setting there to keep it on the 5Ghz band.
What's showing under the second on the list left hand side?

Fabler2 said:

Remember the default settings before adjusting for best performance
Note you have a preferred band setting there to keep it on the 5Ghz band.
What's showing under the second on the list left hand side?

Click to expand...

Under 'Preferred Band' I did select the 5GHz option, but it won't save; it reverts to the default. Screen grabs below showing what's under the second option

Settings on another laptop,

According to Intel there are updates unless I missed them a week ago,