OneDrive File Issues

Fix OneDrive and Teams Download Speed Limited to 25 Mbps on Windows

Maira Mehtab Sep 20, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user is experiencing a strict limit on download speeds (approximately 25 Mbps) for OneDrive and Microsoft Teams on a specific Windows PC, even though the network supports speeds up to 950 Mbps.

Product: Microsoft OneDrive and Teams
Device & OS: Windows 10 or Windows 11
Scenario: Downloading files or syncing data using the OneDrive desktop client, OneDrive web app, or Microsoft Teams on a high-speed network connection.
Observed behavior: Download speeds are capped at around 25 Mbps exclusively on the Windows operating system, while other devices on the same network or dual-boot operating systems like Ubuntu on the same hardware achieve the full 950 Mbps speed.

Before you start

Before modifying system configurations, verify your baseline internet connection speed using a standard browser speed test and ensure no other applications are heavily consuming bandwidth in the background.

Solution 1Recommended

Verify OneDrive and Windows Network Limitations

Check for built-in bandwidth throttling configurations in the OneDrive app and Windows network settings that might be artificially capping your speeds.

Even on a fast network, OneDrive can be manually or accidentally configured to limit download and upload rates. Additionally, Windows might treat your high-speed connection as a metered network, which automatically restricts background data usage for apps like OneDrive and Teams.

Remove OneDrive Bandwidth Limits

Click the OneDrive cloud icon in your system tray, select the Gear icon (Help & Settings), and choose 'Settings'. Navigate to the 'Network' or 'Sync and backup' tab, and ensure both Upload and Download rates are set to 'Don't limit'.

Disable Windows Metered Connection

Go to Windows Settings > Network & internet > Wi-Fi (or Ethernet). Click on your active network properties and toggle off the 'Metered connection' setting.

Check Web App Speeds: If the issue persists in the OneDrive web app via your browser, the problem is likely rooted deeper in Windows system configurations rather than just the OneDrive client.

Solution 2

Investigate Windows-Specific Security and Network Drivers

Identify potential bottlenecks caused by third-party security software or outdated Windows network drivers.

Solution 3

Contact Your Microsoft 365 Administrator

Escalate the issue to Microsoft support through your organization's IT department for advanced diagnostics.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my OneDrive download speed so slow on Windows but fast on my phone?

Windows may have network limits, metered connection settings enabled, or specific third-party security software installed that is inadvertently throttling the connection to Microsoft servers.

How do I remove the bandwidth limit in the OneDrive desktop client?

Open OneDrive settings by clicking the cloud icon in your taskbar, go to the 'Sync and backup' or 'Network' tab, and ensure both upload and download rates are set to 'Don't limit'.

Can using a VPN improve my OneDrive download speeds?

Yes, in some cases. If your Internet Service Provider (ISP) is throttling traffic specifically to Microsoft servers, using a VPN can encrypt your traffic and bypass these restrictions, resulting in a speed improvement.

How do I turn off metered connection on Windows 11?

Go to Windows Settings > Network & internet > Wi-Fi or Ethernet. Click on the network you are currently connected to, and toggle off the 'Metered connection' setting.

Document & File Issues