How to Fix WSL Slow Download Speed or Network Slow in Windows 11

The Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) allows developers and power users to run Linux environments directly on Windows 11 without setting up a virtual machine. While WSL offers excellent performance for most workloads, some users experience unusually slow download speeds, sluggish internet connectivity, or poor network performance inside their Linux distributions.

The issue may appear when downloading packages with apt, cloning repositories with Git, pulling Docker images, or accessing websites from within WSL. In many cases, the network speed inside WSL is significantly slower than on the Windows host system. This can occur due to DNS issues, network adapter configurations, VPN conflicts, outdated WSL versions, or virtualization-related problems.

Fortunately, there are several ways to troubleshoot and fix slow network speeds in WSL on Windows 11. In this guide, we will walk you through all the effective solutions step by step.

How to Fix WSL Slow Download Speed or Network Slow in Windows 11

1. Restart WSL

Temporary networking glitches in WSL can often be resolved by restarting the subsystem.

1. Open Windows Terminal or Command Prompt.
2. Run the following command:

wsl --shutdown

3. Wait a few seconds.
4. Launch your Linux distribution again.
5. Test the network speed inside WSL.

This refreshes the virtual network adapter used by WSL.

2. Update WSL to the Latest Version

Microsoft regularly releases updates that improve WSL networking and performance.

1. Open Windows Terminal as administrator.
2. Run the following command:

wsl --update

3. Wait for the update process to finish.
4. Restart your computer.
5. Verify the installed version:

wsl --version

Using the latest WSL version can resolve many networking issues.

3. Restart the LxssManager Service

The WSL service may sometimes encounter network-related issues.

1. Press Windows + R.
2. Type services.msc and press Enter.
3. Locate LxssManager or WSL Service.
4. Right-click the service.
5. Select Restart.
6. Reopen your Linux distribution.

Check whether download speeds have improved.

4. Configure Custom DNS Servers in WSL

DNS resolution problems are one of the most common causes of slow internet in WSL.

1. Open your Linux distribution.
2. Disable automatic DNS generation:

sudo nano /etc/wsl.conf

3. Add the following lines:

[network]
generateResolvConf = false

4. Save the file and exit.
5. Remove the existing DNS file:

sudo rm /etc/resolv.conf

6. Create a new DNS configuration:

sudo nano /etc/resolv.conf

7. Add one or more DNS servers:

nameserver 1.1.1.1
nameserver 8.8.8.8

8. Save the file.
9. Restart WSL:

wsl --shutdown

Using reliable DNS servers such as Cloudflare or Google DNS often improves connectivity.

5. Disable VPN or Proxy Services

VPN applications can sometimes interfere with WSL networking.

1. Disconnect your VPN temporarily.
2. Disable any proxy settings.
3. Restart WSL using:

wsl --shutdown

4. Reopen your Linux distribution.

If the network speed improves, the VPN or proxy service is likely causing the issue.

6. Enable Mirrored Networking (WSL 2)

Newer versions of WSL support mirrored networking, which can improve compatibility and performance.

1. Open File Explorer.
2. Navigate to:

%UserProfile%\.wslconfig

3. Open or create the file.
4. Add the following configuration:

[wsl2]
networkingMode=mirrored

5. Save the file.
6. Restart WSL:

wsl --shutdown

7. Launch WSL again.

Mirrored networking allows WSL to share the host network more directly.

7. Reset the Windows Network Stack

Corrupted network settings in Windows can affect WSL performance.

1. Open Terminal (Admin).
2. Run the following commands one at a time:

netsh winsock reset

netsh int ip reset

ipconfig /flushdns

3. Restart your computer.

After rebooting, test the network speed inside WSL.

8. Disable IPv6 Temporarily

Some users report improved WSL networking after disabling IPv6.

1. Press Windows + R.
2. Type ncpa.cpl and press Enter.
3. Right-click your active network adapter.
4. Select Properties.
5. Uncheck:

• Internet Protocol Version 6 (TCP/IPv6)

6. Click OK.
7. Restart your PC.

Test WSL afterward to determine whether performance improves.

9. Check Firewall or Security Software

Firewalls and antivirus software may inspect WSL traffic and reduce network performance.

1. Open your antivirus or security software.
2. Temporarily disable network filtering features.
3. Restart WSL.
4. Test download speeds.

If performance improves, add WSL processes to your security software’s exclusion list.

10. Reinstall WSL

If none of the above methods work, reinstalling WSL can resolve deeper configuration issues.

1. Open Terminal (Admin).
2. Unregister the Linux distribution:

wsl --unregister <DistributionName>

Replace <DistributionName> with your installed distro name.

3. Reinstall WSL:

wsl --install

4. Restart your computer.
5. Reconfigure your Linux environment.

Before uninstalling, back up important files stored inside WSL.

Conclusion

Slow download speeds or network performance issues in WSL on Windows 11 are usually caused by DNS misconfigurations, outdated WSL versions, VPN conflicts, or virtual networking problems. In most cases, updating WSL, configuring custom DNS servers, enabling mirrored networking, or resetting the Windows network stack successfully resolves the issue.

If the problem persists after trying all the methods above, test your network performance on both Windows and WSL to determine whether the issue is specific to WSL or your overall internet connection. Keeping WSL and Windows 11 updated regularly can also help prevent network-related issues in the future.