4 Ways to Fix Slow Download Speed in Microsoft Edge for Windows

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Basic Yet Essential Fixes

Fix 1: Pause Other Downloads

Sometimes, another download may be in progress on your PC that you might not be aware of. It can be a Windows Update or a Game download on Steam. The easiest way to find it is using the Task Manager.

Step 1:PressCtrl + Shift + Escto open the Task Manager.

Step 2:Under theProcesseswindow, sort the list of processes byNetworkin descending order.

Step 3:To identify the culprit behind slow internet, check which application or process is using the most network data.

Now that you know why the download is slow, you can pause background downloads and complete the download in Microsoft Edge.

Fix 2: Flush DNS Cache

Windows collects and stores the DNS cache locally on your computer for better internet speed and performance. If this data becomes corrupt, your network connection can slow down. Here is how to fix it using theFlush DNS Cachecommand.

Step 1:Right-click theStartmenu and selectTerminal (Admin)from the list.

Step 2:Click theYesbutton when theUser Account Control (UAC) promptappears.

Step 3:In the terminal, paste the following command and press Enter.

Fix 3: Change DNS Servers

Most of the time, local ISP DNS is resource-limited and congested. They also have limited caching and content filtering, which results in more time spent figuring out the IP of the download source. To confirm, switch to a more reliable DNS service, such as Google DNS or Cloudflare.

Step 1:In Edge, typeedge://settings/privacyin the URL bar at the top and press Enter. Then, scroll down to theSecuritysection.

Step 2:Select theChoose a service provideroption under the Use secure DNS to specify how to look up the network address for websites section.

Step 3:Click the empty text box and select from the available DNS providers.

Alternatively, you canchange the default DNS server from the Windows Settingsapp.

Fix 4: Disable Ad Blockers or VPN Extensions

While notall browser extensions impact speed, some can, particularly those known for consuming resources like ad blockers and privacy protectors.

We recommend switching to Incognito or Private mode in Edge. Since extensions are turned off in this mode, a noticeable speed improvement could indicate extension involvement. Once you are sure an extension is causing the download speed to drop, go to the Edge Extension page and disable them individually. Here’s how:

Step 1:Typeedge://extensionsin the address bar at the top and press Enter.

Step 2:Use the toggles to disable each extension. Then, try downloading your files again.

Step 3:Repeat until you find the problematic extension.

FAQs

1. What is Parallel Downloading in Microsoft Edge?

This feature allows browsers to download large files in chunks simultaneously, speeding up downloads. While it is enabled by default, you can configure it under Flags (edge://flags/).

2. How can I change DNS Servers for Windows PC?

Wifi and Ethernet adapters allow you to assign a DNS through Windows Settings. To do so, go to Network & Internet, select your adapter, andchoose to edit the DNS.

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Last updated on 20 April, 2024

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