Fix NetSpeedMonitor Not Working On Windows 11

by Jhon Lennon 46 views

Hey guys! Having trouble getting NetSpeedMonitor to play nice with your Windows 11 setup? You're not alone! It's a super handy tool to keep an eye on your network speeds right from your taskbar, but sometimes it just doesn't want to cooperate. Don't worry, though! We're going to walk through a bunch of fixes to get it up and running so you can monitor your internet speed like a pro.

What is NetSpeedMonitor?

Before we dive into the fixes, let's quickly cover what NetSpeedMonitor actually is. Essentially, it's a lightweight, free tool that displays your current network upload and download speeds directly in your Windows taskbar. This is incredibly useful for:

  • Troubleshooting slow internet: See if your speeds are actually what you're paying for.
  • Monitoring bandwidth usage: Identify which applications are hogging your bandwidth.
  • General network awareness: Just knowing what's going on with your network connection.

Because it integrates directly into the taskbar, it's always visible and doesn't take up a lot of screen space. Now, let's get down to business and troubleshoot why it might not be working for you in Windows 11.

Common Issues and Solutions

1. Compatibility Mode

One of the most common reasons NetSpeedMonitor doesn't work in Windows 11 is compatibility issues. NetSpeedMonitor was originally designed for older versions of Windows, so we need to tell Windows 11 to run it in a way that it understands. Here’s how:

  1. Locate the NetSpeedMonitor executable: Find where you installed NetSpeedMonitor (usually C:\Program Files\NetSpeedMonitor).
  2. Right-click the nsmc.exe file (or the main executable).
  3. Select "Properties".
  4. Go to the "Compatibility" tab.
  5. Check the box that says "Run this program in compatibility mode for:".
  6. Select an older version of Windows from the dropdown menu (try Windows 7 or Windows 8).
  7. Also, check the box that says "Run this program as an administrator". This is crucial for it to access network information properly.
  8. Click "Apply" and then "OK".
  9. Restart NetSpeedMonitor.

Running as administrator gives the program the necessary permissions to access network interfaces and display the correct speeds. Compatibility mode tricks the application into thinking it's running on an older, supported OS.

2. Reinstall NetSpeedMonitor

Sometimes, the installation itself might be corrupted. A fresh install can often resolve unexpected issues. Here’s how to completely reinstall NetSpeedMonitor:

  1. Uninstall NetSpeedMonitor: Go to "Control Panel" -> "Programs and Features", find NetSpeedMonitor, and uninstall it.
  2. Delete the installation folder: Navigate to the folder where NetSpeedMonitor was installed (usually C:\Program Files\NetSpeedMonitor) and delete the entire folder.
  3. Download the latest version: Make sure you download the latest version of NetSpeedMonitor from a reputable source. Be careful to avoid bundled software or malware during the download.
  4. Reinstall NetSpeedMonitor: Run the installer, making sure to follow the on-screen instructions. During installation, you'll typically be prompted to choose your network adapter. Select the correct one that’s connected to the internet.
  5. Configure: After installation, you might need to configure which network interface to monitor. Right-click on the taskbar, go to "Toolbars", and select "NetSpeedMonitor". Then, right-click on the NetSpeedMonitor toolbar and select "Configuration" to choose your network interface.

A clean installation ensures that no corrupted files or settings are interfering with the program's operation. This process removes any remnants of the old installation and sets everything up from scratch.

3. Check Your Network Adapter Drivers

Outdated or corrupted network adapter drivers can cause all sorts of network-related issues, including problems with NetSpeedMonitor. Here’s how to update your network adapter drivers:

  1. Open Device Manager: Right-click on the Start button and select "Device Manager".
  2. Expand "Network adapters".
  3. Right-click on your network adapter and select "Update driver".
  4. Choose "Search automatically for drivers". Windows will search for and install the latest drivers.
  5. If Windows doesn’t find a new driver, you can try updating manually. Visit the website of your computer or network adapter manufacturer (e.g., Intel, Realtek, Killer) and download the latest drivers for your specific model.
  6. After downloading, run the driver installer.

Keeping your network adapter drivers up-to-date ensures compatibility and optimal performance. Outdated drivers can lead to conflicts and prevent applications like NetSpeedMonitor from functioning correctly.

4. Firewall and Antivirus Interference

Your firewall or antivirus software might be blocking NetSpeedMonitor from accessing network data. Here’s how to check and resolve this:

  1. Check Windows Firewall:
    • Go to "Control Panel" -> "Windows Defender Firewall" -> "Allowed apps".
    • Click "Change settings".
    • Find NetSpeedMonitor in the list. If it’s not there, click "Allow another app", browse to the NetSpeedMonitor executable, and add it.
    • Make sure both "Private" and "Public" networks are checked for NetSpeedMonitor.
  2. Check Antivirus Software:
    • Open your antivirus software.
    • Look for a section on whitelisting or allowing applications.
    • Add NetSpeedMonitor to the list of allowed applications.

Firewalls and antivirus programs are designed to protect your system, but sometimes they can be overzealous and block legitimate applications. Adding NetSpeedMonitor to the exception list ensures it can access the network without interference.

5. Data Execution Prevention (DEP)

Data Execution Prevention (DEP) is a security feature in Windows that helps prevent malicious code from running. However, it can sometimes interfere with legitimate applications. Here’s how to adjust DEP settings:

  1. Open System Properties: Press Win + R, type sysdm.cpl, and press Enter.
  2. Go to the "Advanced" tab.
  3. Under "Performance", click "Settings".
  4. Go to the "Data Execution Prevention" tab.
  5. Select "Turn on DEP for essential Windows programs and services only". This is the recommended setting.
  6. If NetSpeedMonitor still doesn’t work, you can try adding it as an exception. Choose "Turn on DEP for all programs and services except those I select", click "Add", and browse to the NetSpeedMonitor executable.
  7. Click "Apply" and then "OK".
  8. Restart your computer.

Modifying DEP settings should be done with caution, as it can impact system security. However, in some cases, it may be necessary to allow NetSpeedMonitor to function correctly.

6. Alternative Monitoring Tools

If you've tried all the above steps and still can't get NetSpeedMonitor to work, it might be time to consider alternative network monitoring tools. Here are a few popular options:

  • TrafficMonitor: A lightweight and customizable network monitor that displays speeds in the taskbar.
  • DU Meter: A more comprehensive tool with advanced features like bandwidth usage reports and alerts.
  • NetWorx: Another feature-rich option that provides detailed network statistics and monitoring capabilities.

These tools offer similar functionality to NetSpeedMonitor and may be more compatible with Windows 11. It's worth exploring these alternatives to find one that suits your needs.

7. Check NetSpeedMonitor service is running

Another potential issue is whether the NetSpeedMonitor service is running correctly. Here’s how to check and restart it:

  1. Open Services: Press Win + R, type services.msc, and press Enter.
  2. Locate the NetSpeedMonitor service: Scroll through the list of services to find NetSpeedMonitor. Note: it may not appear as a service, but this is worth checking.
  3. Check the status: Ensure the service is running. If it’s not, right-click on it and select "Start".
  4. Restart the service: If the service is already running, you can try restarting it. Right-click on the service and select "Restart".

Ensuring that the NetSpeedMonitor service is running can resolve issues where the program fails to start or display network speeds correctly. This step ensures that the background processes required for monitoring are active.

Conclusion

So, there you have it! Getting NetSpeedMonitor working on Windows 11 can be a bit of a process, but with these steps, you should be well on your way to monitoring your network speeds like a champ. Remember to go through each solution systematically, and don't be afraid to try alternative tools if all else fails. Happy monitoring, and may your download speeds always be lightning fast!