Fine-Tuning Your Network: How to Set Your Windows MTU to 1400 for Smoother Connections

 

Your computer’s **MTU (Maximum Transmission Unit)** defines the largest packet size your system can send over the network without needing to be fragmented. In simple terms, it controls how much data travels in each burst across your connection. If your MTU is too high, packets may get fragmented or dropped, leading to slower speeds or connection issues. Adjusting your MTU to the optimal value—like **1400 bytes**—can make a noticeable difference in stability and performance, especially when troubleshooting VPNs, gaming latency, or file transfer interruptions.

To change the MTU on a Windows computer, you’ll start by **opening Command Prompt as Administrator**. Simply type “cmd” in your Windows search bar, right-click on **Command Prompt**, and select **Run as administrator**. Next, type the command `netsh interface ipv4 show subinterfaces` and press **Enter**. This command lists all your active network interfaces and their current MTU values, allowing you to identify the name of the connection you want to modify (for example, “Wi-Fi” or “Ethernet”).

Once you’ve identified your interface, you can change its MTU with a single command. Type the following line, replacing “Wi-Fi” with your interface name. 

netsh interface ipv4 set subinterface "Wi-Fi" mtu=1400 store=persistent

Press **Enter** to apply the change. The “store=persistent” option ensures your new MTU value remains active even after a reboot. After running this command, you can confirm the change by retyping `netsh interface ipv4 show subinterfaces` to verify that your MTU now shows as 1400.

Changing your MTU can help eliminate connection bottlenecks and packet fragmentation that slow down your network performance. It’s especially beneficial for **VPNs, gaming, or remote work setups**, where even small inefficiencies can cause lag or disconnections. Remember that the best MTU size depends on your network environment—1400 is a safe, compatible value for most users, but you can test other sizes if needed. With this quick tweak, your Windows PC can enjoy more stable, reliable, and responsive network performance.

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