Fix Slow Wifi Network Performance on Ubuntu

Sometimes when installing Ubuntu, the WiFi isn’t great. It might slow down at random points in the day, or just be completely slow in general. In this article I will show you how to fix a common slow connection problem in Ubuntu. I have used these in the past and they helped speed up my WiFi.

>> Read my article on how to instantly make Ubuntu faster

1. Fix Debian Avahi-daemon

There’s a bug in Debian Avahi-daemon that could be slowing down your computer.

For this solution, edit the nsswitch configuration file.

GUI:

sudo gedit /etc/nsswitch.conf

Terminal (Nano):

sudo nano /etc/nsswitch.conf

Next, look for a line in this file that is similar to this:

hosts: files mdns4_minimal [NOTFOUND=return] dns mdns4

Replace the part of the line that contains something similar to “files mdns4_minimal [NOTFOUND=return] dns mdns4” with “files dns” so the line looks like this:

hosts:          files dns

Save the file, and restart your computer.

2. Edit NetworkManager Powersave Configuration File

Sometimes Ubuntu tries to conserve lots of power by managing the power WiFi is using. We don’t need as much of this, so do the following.

Edit /etc/NetworkManager/conf.d/default-wifi-powersave-on.conf.

GUI:

sudo gedit /etc/NetworkManager/conf.d/default-wifi-powersave-on.conf

Terminal (Nano):

sudo nano /etc/NetworkManager/conf.d/default-wifi-powersave-on.conf

Next, change the 3 in the file to a 2.

Reboot your system.

3. Change DNS Server

This solution will make your computer fetch the data for websites faster.

Go to Settings App > WiFi. Next, click on the settings icon for the WiFi you are using.

Click on IPv4.

Turn the Automatic toggler off. Then, enter a DNS server address. Personally, I prefer Google’s DNS servers, which are 8.8.8.8, 8.8.4.4. Just enter the addresses into the text box and click apply. You will have to turn your wifi off and back on again.

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