Changing the MTU (Maximum Transmission Unit) on Windows 10 isn’t as intimidating as it sounds, but it’s kind of weird that Windows doesn’t make it super obvious how to tweak this setting directly. Why bother? Well, sometimes your internet feels sluggish, games lag, or streaming gets choppy — especially if the network hardware or ISP settings aren’t optimized. Adjusting MTU can give your connection a little boost, reducing fragmentation and latency, which might turn into smoother streaming or fewer disconnects. The upside is if you get it right, you’ll probably notice quicker load times and fewer hiccups, at least with certain activities. Just beware — it’s not a magic fix for everything, but worth a shot if you’re troubleshooting decent network issues.
How to Change MTU on Windows 10
Finding your interface and setting the right MTU
First off, you need to know your network interface’s name because Windows holds onto that info in a way that’s not super transparent. The process involves a couple of commands. On top of that, you’ll be editing some system settings, so run the command prompt as an admin — can’t do this without it. When you do: type netsh interface ipv4 show subinterfaces. That lists all your network interfaces and their current MTU sizes. Usually, your active connection will be named something like “Wi-Fi” or “Ethernet.” Make sure you note down your current MTU so you can revert if needed.
Method 1: Changing the MTU directly
- Once you’ve identified your interface, you’ll run a command like:
netsh interface ipv4 set subinterface “Your Interface Name” mtu=1400 store=persistent. Replace “Your Interface Name” with whatever your network shows up as (probably “Wi-Fi” or “Ethernet”).Replace 1400 with whatever MTU value you’re testing. Common tweaks are 1500 (default), 1400, or 1472 — depending on what your network can handle. - Pro tip: If you get errors, double-check the interface name is in quotes and correct. Also, don’t forget to run the command prompt as admin. On some setups, you might need to restart your PC or just disable/enable the network adapter in device manager for the change to fully take effect.
This change helps because it nudges Windows to send smaller packets, which can be less prone to fragmentation and packet loss, especially if your ISP or hardware might not handle larger MTU sizes well. Sometimes this tweak shows immediate results, sometimes not — depends on the network. If it doesn’t help, revert to the default or try another setting.
Method 2: Using a network adapter’s properties (more GUI)
If you want a less command-line approach, some network adapters still let you tweak MTU via their properties. Go to Settings > Network & Internet > Status > Change adapter options. Right-click your active connection, choose Properties. Then select Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) and hit Properties. Click Advanced, then look for MTU or Maximum Transmission Unit (not all cards show this).Enable the checkbox if needed, and set your preferred size.
Note: Not all network cards support setting MTU this way, and some drivers may override these settings. That’s why using the command line often gives better control and persistence across reboots.
After making changes, test your connection
- Run
netsh interface ipv4 show subinterfacesagain to confirm the new MTU is applied. - Use online tools like MXToolbox or run ping tests (e.g., ping -f -l 1472 www.google.com) to find the highest MTU your connection can handle without packet fragmentation.
On some machines, this might take a couple of tries — especially if your network hardware is sensitive or your ISP enforces certain limits. Don’t get discouraged if it’s not perfect on the first go.
Tips for changing MTU on Windows 10
- Test different values — what works for one setup might not work for another.
- Always back up your original MTU setting before messing with it. That way, if something weird happens, you can revert easily.
- Sometimes a reboot helps fully apply or reset the network stack.
- If things get worse after tweaking, revert to 1500 — the default that most Ethernet and Wi-Fi networks like.
- Check with your ISP if you’re unsure; some providers recommend specific MTU sizes for their infrastructure.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s MTU, anyway?
It’s basically the biggest packet size your device will send in a single go. Smaller MTU means packets are chopped into smaller pieces, which can sometimes prevent slowdowns or dropped connections.
Why tweak this stuff at all?
If your internet feels slow or unreliable, adjusting MTU might help streamline traffic and reduce delays. It’s especially handy with gaming or streaming where every millisecond counts.
Default size?
Most Windows networks are set to 1500 bytes. That’s pretty standard for Ethernet, but sometimes you need smaller for specific services or hardware.
How do I know if I need to change it?
If you’re noticing frequent disconnects, buffering, or lag spikes, especially on certain sites or apps, giving MTU a shot can be worth it.
Will this increase my internet speed?
If adjusted correctly, it can lead to more stable and possibly faster connections, but it’s not a guarantee. Mainly, it helps with reliability and reducing packet loss.
Wrap-up
Playing around with MTU on Windows 10 is kind of a niche tweak, but it’s surprisingly effective on some setups. Basically, it’s about dialing in the packet size so the network traffic flows smoother. As with all these things, aim for small adjustments and test along the way. Sometimes, just reducing MTU a bit makes a noticeable difference. Important: keep track of original settings so you can revert back if weird stuff happens.
Summary
- Open Command Prompt as Administrator.
- Check current MTU settings with
netsh interface ipv4 show subinterfaces. - Identify your network interface (like “Wi-Fi” or “Ethernet”).
- Change the MTU using the command:
netsh interface ipv4 set subinterface “Your Interface Name” mtu=1400 store=persistent. - Verify the change by re-running
netsh interface ipv4 show subinterfaces.
Fingers crossed this helps
Hopefully, this shaves off a few hours for someone. On one setup it worked right away, on another, maybe not so much — but it’s worth trying if you’re struggling with lag or dropouts. Good luck, and may your packet sizes be just right!