Question:

What are the possible causes and solutions for the slow tethering speed between a Samsung S23 smartphone and a Windows 10 PC?

I have a Samsung S23 smartphone running Android OS and a Windows 10 PC. I use wireless tethering to connect my PC to the internet via my smartphone. However, the tethering speed is very slow, only 0.5 Mbps, compared to the wireless download speed of 70 Mbps on my smartphone. I have searched online for this issue, but I have not found any helpful answers. How can I diagnose and fix this problem?

Answer:

Tethering is a convenient way to share your smartphone’s internet connection with your PC or other devices. However, sometimes you may experience a slow tethering speed that affects your browsing, streaming, or downloading activities. In this article, we will explore some of the possible causes and solutions for the slow tethering speed between a Samsung S23 smartphone and a Windows 10 PC.

Possible causes

There are several factors that can affect the tethering speed between your smartphone and your PC, such as:

• The type of tethering method: There are three common ways to tether your smartphone to your PC: USB, Bluetooth, or Wi-Fi. Each method has its own advantages and disadvantages, and the speed may vary depending on the quality of the connection and the interference from other devices. Generally, USB tethering is the fastest and most reliable method, followed by Wi-Fi tethering, and then Bluetooth tethering. However, some users have reported that USB tethering on Windows 10 can be very slow due to an outdated driver issue.
• The network signal strength and speed: The tethering speed is also limited by the network signal strength and speed of your smartphone. If you are in a low-coverage area or using a congested network, your tethering speed will be slower than usual. You can check your network signal strength and speed by using apps like [Speedtest] or [Network Signal Info] on your smartphone. Ideally, you want to have a strong and stable 4G or 5G signal with a high download and upload speed.
• The device performance and settings: The tethering speed can also be affected by the performance and settings of your smartphone and your PC. For example, if your smartphone or your PC is running low on battery, memory, or storage, the tethering speed may be reduced. Similarly, if you have enabled any power-saving or data-saving modes on your smartphone or your PC, the tethering speed may be throttled. You can check your device performance and settings by using apps like [Samsung Device Care] or [Windows Task Manager] on your smartphone or your PC, respectively.

Possible solutions

Depending on the cause of the slow tethering speed, there are different solutions that you can try to improve it, such as:

• Switching the tethering method: If you are using USB tethering, you may want to update the driver for the “Remote NDIS based Internet Sharing Device” on your PC, as some users have reported that this can fix the slow tethering issue. Alternatively, you can try switching to Wi-Fi tethering or Bluetooth tethering, and see if the speed improves. However, keep in mind that Wi-Fi tethering and Bluetooth tethering may consume more battery power and be more prone to interference from other devices.
• Improving the network signal strength and speed: If you are in a low-coverage area or using a congested network, you may want to move to a better location or switch to a different network provider or plan. You can also try changing the network mode on your smartphone, such as from 5G to 4G or from LTE to 3G, and see if the speed improves. However, keep in mind that changing the network mode may affect the quality of your voice calls and other services.
• Optimizing the device performance and settings: If your smartphone or your PC is running low on battery, memory, or storage, you may want to charge your device, close any unnecessary apps or programs, or free up some space. You can also disable any power-saving or data-saving modes on your smartphone or your PC, and see if the speed improves. However, keep in mind that disabling these modes may consume more battery power and data.

Conclusion

Tethering

is a useful feature that allows you to share your smartphone’s internet connection with your PC or other devices. However, sometimes you may encounter a slow tethering speed that hampers your online experience. In this article, we have discussed some of the possible causes and solutions for the slow tethering speed between a Samsung S23 smartphone and a Windows 10 PC. We hope that this article has helped you to diagnose and fix your tethering problem, and enjoy a faster and smoother internet connection.