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Troubleshooting Network Performance Issues on Inspiron Systems

Summary: This article provides troubleshooting steps to determine whether the SmartByte application is a contributing factor in slow network performance.

This article applies to This article does not apply to This article is not tied to any specific product. Not all product versions are identified in this article.
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Instructions

Note:
  • Bookmark this article as rebooting the computer may be needed.
  • Dell Technologies recommends downloading and updating to the latest version of SmartByte. 
  • Test network performance by going to https://www.speedtest.net

Troubleshooting Steps:

Caution: Perform the following steps in the order that they are provided!

Update Windows 10 Version:

 

  1. Test your network performance and record the result for comparison during the following troubleshooting steps.
  2. Update the BIOS to the latest revision available from dell.com/support/home. For more information, see the Dell Knowledge Base Article: Dell BIOS Updates
  3. Update the version of Windows 10:
    1. Ensure that your computer is running Windows 10 version 14393.0 or higher.
    2. To determine what version of Windows you are on, perform the following steps:
      1. Press and hold the Windows (Windows Key) key, and then press the q key.
      2. In the Search box, type winver.
      3. Touch or click winver (Run command).
      4. Locate the operating system Build number in parentheses.
        Note: When the operating system Build is lower than 14393.0, you can download the latest update for Windows 10 from the Microsoft website.  This hyperlink is taking you to a website outside of Dell Technologies.
      5. Test your network performance and record the result.
  4. If the issue persists, continue to Update System Drivers.

Update System Drivers:

 

  1. Update your Wireless and Ethernet drivers.
    1. For more information, see Dell Knowledge Base Article: How to Download and Install a Driver
      Note: This article describes installing the Dell SupportAssist application that provides automated detection, driver download, and installation of outdated drivers.
    2. Reboot the computer after each driver installation if prompted.
    3. Test your network performance and record the result.
  2. If the issue persists, continue to Update the SmartByte Application.

Update the SmartByte Application:

 

  1. Record the SmartByte version number from the Control Panel.
  2. Update the SmartByte application. 
  3. Test network performance at https://www.speedtest.net and record the result.
  4. Open the SmartByte application, turn off SmartByte, and retest network performance at https://www.speedtest.net.
    1. If the speed increases, leave SmartByte off.
    2. If there are no changes to speed, turn SmartByte back on.
     
    Note: To turn SmartByte on or off:
    1. Press and hold the Windows (Windows Key) key, and then press the q key.
    2. In the Search box, type "SmartByte."
    3. Touch or click SmartByte (Trusted Microsoft Store app).
    4. Touch or click the slider to the right of SmartByte to turn the SmartByte application off or on.

SmartByte may contribute to a reduced overall network speed in specific circumstances. This is a normal situation as SmartByte allocates a small percentage of the available network bandwidth to its own operation. Other contributing factors to account for measured speeds below what your Internet Service Provider (ISP) provides on average.

If network performance has not improved after performing these steps and switching SmartByte off, then the issue is not associated with SmartByte. Perform standard network troubleshooting to resolve this performance issue. For more information, see the Networking, WiFi, and Bluetooth support pages.


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Affected Products

G Series, Inspiron 11 3162/3164, Inspiron 11 3168, Inspiron 11 3179, Inspiron 13 5368 2-in-1, Inspiron 5370, Inspiron 13 5378 2-in-1, Inspiron 13 7368 2-in-1, Inspiron 7370, Inspiron 7373 2-in-1, Inspiron 13 7375 2-in-1, Inspiron 3452 , Inspiron 14 3462, Inspiron 14 3465, Inspiron 14 3467, Inspiron 14 3473, Inspiron 14 3476, Inspiron 5458, Inspiron 5459, Inspiron 14 5468, Inspiron 14 7460, Inspiron 7472, Inspiron 3552, Inspiron 15 3565, Inspiron 15 3567, Inspiron 15 3573, Inspiron 5552, Inspiron 5555, Inspiron 5557, Inspiron 5558, Inspiron 5559, Inspiron 15 5565, Inspiron 15 5566, Inspiron 15 5567, Inspiron 15 5568 2-in-1, Inspiron 5570, Inspiron 15 5578 2-in-1, Inspiron 15 7560, Inspiron 7570, Inspiron 15 7572, Inspiron 7573 2-in-1, Inspiron 15 7579 2-in-1, Inspiron 5755, Inspiron 5758, Inspiron 5759, Inspiron 17 5765, Inspiron 17 5767, Inspiron 5770, Inspiron 17 7773 2-in-1, Inspiron 17 7779 2-in-1, Inspiron 3052, Inspiron 3264 AIO, Inspiron 3265, Inspiron 3275, Inspiron 3277, Inspiron 3452 AIO, Inspiron 3455, Inspiron 24 3464, Inspiron 3475, Inspiron 3477, Inspiron 24 5475, Inspiron 5477, Inspiron 24 5488, Inspiron 27 7775, Inspiron 7777, Inspiron 3250, Inspiron 3252, Inspiron 3470, Inspiron 3472, Inspiron 3650, Inspiron 3655, Inspiron 3656, Inspiron 3662, Inspiron 3668, Inspiron 3670, Inspiron 5675, Inspiron 5680 ...
Article Properties
Article Number: 000125203
Article Type: How To
Last Modified: 14 Nov 2024
Version:  10
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