You shouldn’t disable ‘Window Auto-Tuning’ to fix slow internet speeds on Windows 10, here’s why

Disabling "Window Auto-Tuning" on Windows 10 won't fix your internet speeds, keep the feature enable, and troubleshoot the problem differently.

Windows 10 Receive Window Auto-Tuning Level Normal

Window Auto-Tuning is a networking feature that has been part of Windows 10 and previous versions for many years. It’s designed to dynamically control the receive throughput buffer size and latency of a link. On today’s internet there are countless sets of latencies and speeds that are just too many to adjust manually, and they need to be controlled dynamically — that’s why Auto-Tuning exist.

With the release of the Windows 10 Anniversary Update, many users have been reporting slow internet connections after installing the update. Many websites have also pointed out that the problem is caused by “Window Auto-Tuning”, and disabling the feature will improve speed performance. This is absolutely not true.

Microsoft has published a statement noting that disabling Auto-Tuning will definitely limit your internet speeds, and it won’t improve it one bit. The company also says that the feature is consistent throughout all modern operating systems, not just Windows, and you shouldn’t disable it.

How to disable ‘Window Auto-Tuning’ on Windows 10

There has been a confusion that using the steps below will improve your internet speeds.

  1. Use the Windows key + X keyboard shortcut to open the Power User menu and select Command Prompt (Admin).

  2. Type the following command and press Enter:

    netsh int tcp set global autotuninglevel=disabled

How to enable ‘Window Auto-Tuning’ on Windows 10

If you’ve previously used similar instructions to disable Auto-Tuning, you should enable the feature again on your device using the following steps.

  1. Use the Windows key + X keyboard shortcut to open the Power User menu and select Command Prompt (Admin).

  2. Type the following command to verify Auto-Tuning is disabled:

    netsh interface tcp show global
  3. If “Receive Window Auto-Tuning Level” shows up as Disabled, you should type the following command and press Enter to enable it again:

    netsh int tcp set global autotuninglevel=normal

    Receive Window Auto-Tuning Level Normal

If the message returns an “OK” everything should be back to normal.

How to fix slow internet speeds

If you’re experiencing slow internet speeds, Wi-Fi disconnecting, or limited connection after installing the Anniversary Update, you should investigate elsewhere. You should start by resetting your network adapter on Windows 10 to see if that fixes the problem.

You should also try checking with your network adapter manufacturer to see if there is a new driver available. If there isn’t an update, you should try reinstalling the same version of the Wi-Fi (or Ethernet) adapter driver.

If other computers around the house are running a different version of Windows, or your other devices with a different operating system, and all your devices are experiencing limited internet connection, then chances are there is a problem with your router or Internet Service Provider (ISP).

Are you experiencing any networking issues after installing the Windows 10 Anniversary Update? Let us know in the comments below.

About the author

Mauro Huculak is a Windows How-To Expert who started Pureinfotech in 2010 as an independent online publication. He has also been a Windows Central contributor for nearly a decade. Mauro has over 15 years of experience writing comprehensive guides and creating professional videos about Windows and software, including Android and Linux. Before becoming a technology writer, he was an IT administrator for seven years. In total, Mauro has over 21 years of combined experience in technology. Throughout his career, he achieved different professional certifications from Microsoft (MSCA), Cisco (CCNP), VMware (VCP), and CompTIA (A+ and Network+), and he has been recognized as a Microsoft MVP for many years. You can follow him on X (Twitter), YouTube, LinkedIn and About.me. Email him at [email protected].