Windows 11 Killer networking bug may slow connection speeds in some games

Windows 11 Killer networking bug May tardily connection speeds in some games

Screenshot of Windows 11 networking settings screen with grey Windows 11 background behind

(Image recognition: Microsoft)

A launch twenty-four hour period bug in Windows 11 may cause issues with devices featuring Intel's Killer networking. Cited as a compatibility issue, some devices with Killer networking Crataegus laevigata drop User Datagram Communications protocol (UDP) packets "under confident conditions", which may ignoble a loss of speed or failure to warhead on some websites, during streaming, or piece playing games.

UDP is wont to send messages across an IP network alongside the other commonly used protocol, TCP (TCP). There are some fundamental differences 'tween how the two deliver information across the net, however, which means you'll find certain online applications favour one or the other conditional their use.

UDP is much used by game servers for sending low-latency, high-speed packets across the vane. It's likewise commonly in use for streaming.

TCP tends to equal in use while you browse the web, watch online videos, and send and receive messages.

There are plenty of exceptions to these general rules, however. With that in mind, a UDP belt along bug for Killer networks could embody awfully annoying patc gaming and also difficult to diagnose.

Here's the bug verbal description from Microsoft's Windows 11 known issues Page:

"Compatibility issues have been constitute 'tween some Intel "Killer" networking software program and Windows 11. Devices with the affected computer software might drop User Datagram Protocol (UDP) packets under foreordained conditions. This creates performance and other problems for protocols founded happening UDP. For example, close to websites might load slower than others in affected devices, with videos cyclosis slower in certain resolutions. VPN solutions based on UDP might also be slower."

The come forth pertains specifically to Killer networking software, which is installed as a part of the number one wood package with these networking devices.

You can find out whether your PC or laptop has an Intel Killer NIC aside heading to the Device Manager. Just satisfactory-click happening the Windows logo, smasher Twist Manager, and scroll to Network Devices. Any Killer-branded NICs should appear with that Killer in the name, so much as Killer E3000 or E2600.

Alternatively, you can always head to the specifications web page for your motherboard or laptop for full networking details.

Intel acquired the Orcinus orca brand when it bought out parent company Rivet Networks in 2020.

The issue shouldn't persist for polysyllabic, at least. Microsoft is working on a fix that it plans to include with the coming October security update on October 12, 2021.

If you're victimization a Killer NIC happening your machine but are yet to upgrade to Windows 11, we recommend at the very least waiting for the authorised mending before doing so. That said, for its other drawbacks and rough edges, we don't yet recommend you upgrade to Windows 11 just still.

Other launch day bugs formally documented by Windows 11 include other compatibility issues with Oracle VirtualBox and the Cốc Cốc browser. As we freshly tested ourselves, there's also an issue with File Explorer causing a memory outflow that users should keep a tight eye on.

Francois Jacob earned his prototypal byline writing for his own tech blog from his hometown in Wales in 2017. From there, atomic number 2 graduated to professionally break things at PCGamesN, where he would later winnings command of the kit closet as hardware editor. Nowadays, as elderly hardware editor at PC Gamer, he spends his days reporting connected the fashionable developments in the technology and gaming industry. When atomic number 2's not writing about GPUs and CPUs, you'll find him trying to get as out-of-the-way away from the modern world as possible by uncivilised camping.