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XPS 8940, Ethernet upload speed has become very slow suddenly
XPS 8940
I have an XPS8940 bought in 2021. I have it connected to my network using the Ethernet port.
Recently, my upload speed to the Internet started running very slowly (only 1 mbps). The download speed is great (300+ mpbs).
However, when I switch to my WiFi NIC, the speeds are great (around 250-300 mpbs in both directions).
I've ruled out the network switch and router as culprits. Which leads me to the Ethernet port in the XPS. I read that I should reload the Intel Killer Ethernet drivers (done), and also to ensure my system is up to date (done), all to no avail.
Any ideas on how I could diagnose this further? I'm willing to add a NIC card with an Ethernet port if necessary.
redxps630
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June 10th, 2024 16:05
Before you suspect the onboard Ethernet port has gone bad, 1st thing to try is a brand new Cat6 cable. No matter how good your current cable appears, replacing it w a brand new good quality cable is worth testing as it is most often the cause of Ethernet speed degradation.
Although, user reports a bad cable limiting download to 100 Mbps.
Also try use a test hard drive or ssd to do a clean Win 10 install. Do not install any Dell or killer driver manually for this test.
If neither above improves upload speed then adding a discrete LAN card is worth considering then.
(edited)
RoHe
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June 10th, 2024 20:12
Try this:
Click Start>Run>services.msc and click OK.
When services.msc opens, change the Startup type for each Killer entry (and xTend, if any listed) to Disabled. When done, close services.msc, and reboot.
Does that help?
(edited)
JamieLinux
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June 12th, 2024 05:19
Uninstall the kIller Ethernet software but keep the Ethernet driver.
RoHe
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June 12th, 2024 17:19
All you have to do is disable the Killer services in services.msc.
Every time Windows Update installs a Killer update (disguised as an Intel update), the Ethernet upload speed on my XPS 8930 drops to unusable.
That's a tip-off a new Killer update got installed. And sure enough, the Killer services have their Startup type reset to Automatic in services.msc.
At least on my XPS 8930, the Killer driver has been the same version number since ~2019. So all these Intel (Killer) updates just fix bugs in their crummy Killer Control Panel software....
ispalten
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June 11th, 2024 00:07
I would not expect a E2600 Gigabit Controller to go bad, especially in one direction?
Could be a driver issue. Removing the Killer services and startup might fix it, Windows would supply the default driver in that case.
Can also use Device Manager to Uninstall the driver and reboot and let Windows install it again I guess too.
One question, have you 'touched' the cable recently? Check it is firmly in both ends, and if you had moved it from one port to another on the router, could be a bad port (or gone bad) so try a different one if you have a router.
ssps60
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June 15th, 2024 15:34
Thank you all for your helpful responses. It's now working.
First, after testing with a new Cat5 cable (no joy), I disabled the Killer as several of you suggested (and xTend too Ron), and rebooted, and it's now working!
RoHe
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June 17th, 2024 22:15
@ssps60 - Yea! Glad to hear it's working properly again.
Just keep in mind if your upload speeds ever drop again, first thing is make sure all Killer and xTend services are still disabled in services.msc.
These days, you probably want a CAT6 cable, especially if you need a long one to reach your router.
(edited)
JamieLinux
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June 19th, 2024 23:06
@ssps60 just in case if you update the driver put the Windows version of the driver as a replacement. It won't ever ask to update that driver again and work properly. Just in case it ever goes goofy again.
Hokie_Shankar
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June 22nd, 2024 11:54
@RoHe If one has an external network card and not using the onboard network card, does it still require disabling Killer services?
RoHe
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June 22nd, 2024 20:13
Is the onboard Killer Ethernet disabled in Device Manager? Is the "external" Ethernet card plugged into a PCI-e slot on motherboard?
If you're not using the onboard Killer Ethernet, that's even more reason to disable all Killer (and xTend) services in services.msc. Why have things using resources in the background but are totally unnecessary for your Ethernet card?
JamieLinux
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June 23rd, 2024 20:14
@Hokie_Shankar If you use an external card, uninstall the killer services software and remove the drivers. Then disable the onboard in the UEFI bios. It will save you a ton of complications.
(edited)
Hokie_Shankar
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June 23rd, 2024 22:56
@JamieLinux : Thanks. I've done all else except disabling the onboard card in BIOS. I'll do that