The browser opens websites without problems, Windows shows "Connected", but downloading a large file suddenly freezes completely — the speed drops to zero and doesn't recover. The cause is often not the ISP or the router, but two hidden network adapter settings in Windows.

Why this happens

Windows manages power for all components, including network adapters. Two settings can interrupt large downloads:

— Automatic adapter shutdown for power saving — Windows decides the adapter is idle and puts it to sleep, even if a multi-gigabyte download is running in the background.

— Energy Efficient Ethernet (EEE) — reduces port power during quiet periods. When traffic resumes, the adapter, router, or switch may "negotiate" the speed incorrectly. The result — a connection loss lasting several seconds, which the launcher or browser registers as 0 Mbps.

How to fix it

Step 1. Disable automatic adapter shutdown

1. Press Win + X and open Device Manager.

2. Expand the "Network adapters" section.

3. If you're not sure which adapter is active — press Win + R, type `ncpa.cpl` and find the one that says "Connected".

4. Right-click the needed adapter → Properties → Power Management tab.

5. Uncheck "Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power" and click OK.

If there's no Power Management tab — this is normal for some laptops. Just proceed to the next step.

Step 2. Disable Energy Efficient Ethernet

This setting only exists for Ethernet adapters (wired connection). For Wi-Fi it's named differently or absent.

1. In Device Manager, open the Ethernet adapter Properties again.

2. Go to the Advanced tab.

3. In the list, find the "Energy Efficient Ethernet", "Green Ethernet" or "EEE" parameter.

4. Set the value to "Disabled" and click OK.

5. If the system asks for a reboot — reboot.

The exact name depends on the manufacturer: for Intel, Realtek, and USB adapters it may differ. If there's no such parameter — the adapter simply doesn't support it, this is not an error.

Should you worry about power consumption

Both settings were designed to save energy, and disabling them slightly increases consumption. On a desktop PC or laptop constantly plugged into an outlet, this is insignificant. If the laptop frequently runs on battery — you can turn them back on before a trip and disable them only during large downloads.

If downloads still freeze

The described settings solve the problem in most cases related to the adapter. But if freezing persists — the cause may be an outdated driver, damaged cable, router firmware, or the network chip itself.

Come in for diagnostics at iClub Service — we'll check the network, adapter, and settings for free, find the cause and fix it quickly.