Common Causes and Solutions for Slow Network Data Transfer Speeds (2024)

"Learn about the common causes of slow data data transfer speeds on network attached storage products."*END

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Description

Moving data from a computer to a My Cloud or a My Cloud Home is slower than expected.

These are the most common causes of poor network performance.

• Computer does not have Gigabit Ethernet
• Network only supports supports 10/100 speeds
• High network traffic, 2.4 GHz band used, and distance from the computer
• Hub used instead of a switch
• Backups or streaming
• Anti-Virus or Anti-Malware
• Large data sets
• Deeply nested directories
• Directories with large numbers of small files
• Third-Party apps indexing
• My Cloud OS 5 or Home Indexing and Generating Previews

Theoretical vs Real World Network Speeds

Transfer rates may be less than theoretical maximums.
This article does not debate the cause of "real speeds" vs "theoretical speeds". It provides the most common causes of slow speeds and solutions.

IMPORTANT:

The table is an example of real-world home network speeds.
It is not scientific and it makes no claims to the meaning of "average".

Resolution

Network Configuration

Causes and Solutions

Computer

• CPU (32-bit vs 64-bit)

Older 32-bit computers normally use 10/100 Mbps network adapters.
Solution: Stop software that use too much CPU and memory. Replace the 10/100 network adapter with a 1000 Base-T Gigabit one. Use a newer 64-bit computer with more power.

• System Memory

Computers with small amounts of memory may not have enough resources.
Solution: Stop software that use lots of CPU and memory. Upgrade or add more memory.

• Computer In Use

Using the computer causes higher than normal CPU and memory usage.
Solution: Stop using the computer. DO NOT stream media, work on documents, send email or access the internet.

• Fragmented Disk

Fragmented disk causes slow disk read and writes.
Solution: Defrag the disk to improve read/write speeds.

• Anti-Virus, Malware and End Point Protection Software

Software scan incoming TCP/UDP packets.
Solution: Temporarily stop software.

• Windows 10 Realtime Protection

• Infected Computer

Virus and Malware can affect performance.
Solution: Scan the computer. Remove virus, trojans, and malware.

• Data Structure (thousands of small files)

The amount of data and the size has an impact.
Information: A large number of files in a single directory will be faster than the same number of files in many directories. 1 TB of large files will transfer faster than 1 TB of small files.

• USB Port and Cable

Using a slow USB 2.0 port. Bad or broken port. Bad or low-quality cable can cause slow data transfer rates.
Solution: Use a USB 3.0 or higher port. Use a high-quality USB cable. Try a different port.

• Laptops and Portable Computers

Low battery life or not connected to power.
Solution: Use an Ethernet cable instead of Wi-Fi. A direct connection will result in better performance than Wi-Fi. The battery life should be higher than 75% and plugged into power.

• Sleep and Standby Modes

Computers that go to sleep or standby mode can cause problems.
Solution: Prevent it from going to sleep or standby. Keep the screen from locking.

Network

• ISP Upload and Download Speeds

• 10/100 Networks

Data transfer using 10/100 hardware will be slow.
Solution: Use Gigabit network adapters, switches, and routers. Connect to a 5 GHz Wi-Fi band and remote the Ethernet cable.

• Network Traffic

Network traffic (overhead) can affect speed.
Solution: Turn off media stream devices likes Media Players, Tablets, other computers, and Smart TV.

• Faulty Network Hardware (router, switch, cable)

Bad network hardware like network card, network cable, switch, or router can cause performance issues. It can also cause a mismatch in network speeds and prevent auto-negotiation from working right.
Solution: Replace bad and outdated networking hardware.

• Network Hubs

Hubs can cause collisions, drop packets and auto-negotiation mismatches.
Solution: Replace network hubs with Gigabit switches.

• Outdated Firmware

Outdated network firmware can cause issues.
Solution: Upgrade firmware. Replace end of life and outdated hardware.

• Wi-Fi Bands (2.4 and 5 GHz bands)

Data transfer over 2.4 and 5 GHz Wi-Fi bands will be much slower than Ethernet.
Solution: Use an Ethernet cable instead of Wi-Fi. Use 5 GHz instead of 2.4 GHz when direct Ethernet is not possible. Turn off the 2.4 GHz band. Put the computer next to the router.

My Cloud

• My Cloud OS 5 Indexing and Generating Previews

Plex, Twonky and Anti-Virus Essentials apps scan and download content adding to network traffic and CPU usage.
Solution: Ensure third-party apps are not indexing or scanning. Turn off third-party apps.

• Backups

Remote and USB drive backups use CPU and memory. They also increase disk activity.
Solution: Stop My Cloud backups.

• macOS

My Cloud Home

• Third-Party Apps and Services

• USB Backups

USB backups will result in disk read and writes. Backup to the My Cloud Home will result in indexing and generating previews.
Solution: Ensure all USB Backups have completed.