How to cofigure Windows 11 Thunderbolt Surface Dock 4 for 2.5 GBE

AJ Enns 1 Reputation point Microsoft Employee
2025-11-24T13:06:09.6933333+00:00

I am having trouble getting full download speeds using my Surface Laptop 6 with TB4 Surface Dock. I have 2 GB service from my ISP. I have a mix of 10 GBE and 2.5 GBE, and Gigabit on my Lan. I have a one mac computer plugged into the same upstream switch as my Surface which gets 1950+ Mbps download. On my Surface Laptop plugged into my TB4 Surface Dock plugged into the same switch, I get 400-600 Mbps download.

Things I have checked:

  • Windows 11 is fully up to date,
  • TB4 Surface dock firmware is up to date
  • no QoS running on the network
  • NIC and OS are not running in efficiency mode (full beans mode)
  • For some reason when I cannot plug my TB4 dock into the Mac the white light blinks

Any ideas? I would like to get the full potential of my ISP on PC

Surface | Surface Laptop | Network
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  1. AI answer

    2025-11-24T13:06:24.18+00:00

    To configure your Windows 11 Thunderbolt Surface Dock 4 for optimal performance and potentially improve your download speeds, consider the following steps:

    1. Check Ethernet Adapter Settings: Ensure that the Ethernet adapter settings on your Surface Laptop 6 are configured for maximum performance. You can access these settings through the Device Manager. Look for the properties of your network adapter and ensure that the speed and duplex settings are set to the highest available option (e.g., 2.5 Gbps or Auto-Negotiate).
    2. Update Drivers: Make sure that all drivers related to your network adapter and the Thunderbolt dock are up to date. This includes checking for any specific updates from the Surface support page.
    3. Network Configuration: Since you mentioned that you have a mix of 10 GBE and 2.5 GBE on your LAN, ensure that your network switch supports the required speeds and is configured correctly. Sometimes, certain ports may be limited to lower speeds due to configuration settings.
    4. Disable Power Saving Features: Check the power management settings for your network adapter in Device Manager. Ensure that options like "Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power" are disabled.
    5. Test Different Ports: If possible, try connecting your Surface Dock to different ports on your switch to rule out any issues with specific ports.
    6. Monitor Network Traffic: Use network monitoring tools to check for any unusual traffic or bandwidth limitations that might be affecting your Surface Laptop's performance.
    7. Firmware and Software: Ensure that your Surface Dock firmware is indeed up to date. Sometimes, issues can arise from outdated firmware that affects performance.
    8. Check for Background Processes: Make sure there are no background processes consuming bandwidth on your Surface Laptop that could be affecting download speeds.

    If the white light on the dock blinks when connected to the Mac, it may indicate a connection issue or that the dock is not receiving adequate power or data. Ensure that the dock is properly powered and connected.

    If you continue to experience issues, consider reaching out to Microsoft support for more tailored troubleshooting.

    References:

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