Fix NetSpeedMonitor Not Working In Windows 10

by Jhon Lennon 46 views

Hey guys! Having trouble with NetSpeedMonitor on your Windows 10 machine? You're not alone! It's a super handy tool for keeping an eye on your network speeds right from your taskbar, but sometimes it just decides to quit working. Don't worry, we're going to walk through a bunch of fixes to get it back up and running. Let's dive in!

Why NetSpeedMonitor Might Be Acting Up

Before we jump into the solutions, let's quickly cover why NetSpeedMonitor might be giving you headaches. Here are a few common reasons:

  • Compatibility Issues: NetSpeedMonitor was originally designed for older versions of Windows. While it often works on Windows 10, compatibility issues can pop up.
  • Driver Problems: The network adapter drivers might be outdated or corrupted, causing conflicts.
  • Software Conflicts: Other applications or security software could be interfering with NetSpeedMonitor.
  • Installation Issues: The installation process might not have gone smoothly, leading to missing or corrupted files.
  • Windows Updates: Occasionally, a Windows update can mess with the software's functionality.

Understanding these potential causes will help you pinpoint the right solution more quickly.

Step-by-Step Solutions to Get NetSpeedMonitor Working

Okay, let's get down to business. Here’s a comprehensive guide to troubleshooting NetSpeedMonitor on Windows 10:

1. Run NetSpeedMonitor in Compatibility Mode

One of the easiest and most common fixes is to run NetSpeedMonitor in compatibility mode. This tells Windows to run the program as if it were on an older operating system. Here's how to do it:

  1. Locate the NetSpeedMonitor Executable: Find the NetSpeedMonitor executable file (usually NetSpeedMonitor.exe). It's typically located in the installation directory (e.g., C:\Program Files\NetSpeedMonitor).
  2. Open Properties: Right-click on the .exe file and select “Properties.”
  3. Go to the Compatibility Tab: Click on the “Compatibility” tab.
  4. Enable Compatibility Mode: Check the box that says “Run this program in compatibility mode for:”
  5. Choose an Older Windows Version: Select an older version of Windows from the dropdown menu, such as “Windows 7” or “Windows XP.”
  6. Apply and OK: Click “Apply” and then “OK” to save the changes.
  7. Run as Administrator: While you're in the Compatibility tab, also check the box that says “Run this program as an administrator.” This can help bypass permission issues.

Why this works: Compatibility mode tricks the program into thinking it's running on an older, supported operating system. Running as administrator ensures it has the necessary permissions to access network data. This is often the first and easiest thing to try!

2. Reinstall NetSpeedMonitor

Sometimes, the installation itself might be the problem. A clean reinstall can fix corrupted files or incomplete installations. Here’s how to do it properly:

  1. Uninstall NetSpeedMonitor:
    • Go to the Control Panel (search for “Control Panel” in the Start menu).
    • Click on “Programs” and then “Programs and Features.”
    • Find NetSpeedMonitor in the list, right-click on it, and select “Uninstall.”
    • Follow the on-screen instructions to uninstall the program.
  2. Delete Leftover Files (Important!):
    • After uninstalling, navigate to the installation directory (usually C:\Program Files\NetSpeedMonitor) and delete any remaining files or folders.
    • Open the Registry Editor (type regedit in the Start menu and press Enter).
    • Navigate to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software and delete the NetSpeedMonitor key if it exists.
    • Caution: Editing the registry can be risky. Make sure to back up your registry before making any changes.
  3. Download a Fresh Copy:
    • Download the latest version of NetSpeedMonitor from a reliable source. Be careful to avoid downloading from sketchy websites that might bundle malware.
  4. Reinstall NetSpeedMonitor:
    • Run the installer and follow the on-screen instructions.
    • Make sure to install it in a location that you remember (the default location is usually fine).

Why this works: A clean reinstall ensures that you're starting with a fresh, uncorrupted version of the software. Deleting leftover files and registry entries ensures that there are no remnants of the old installation that could cause conflicts.

3. Update 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 them:

  1. Open Device Manager:
    • Right-click on the Start button and select “Device Manager.”
  2. Expand Network Adapters:
    • Find and expand the “Network adapters” section.
  3. Update the Driver:
    • Right-click on your network adapter (usually labeled with the manufacturer and model name) and select “Update driver.”
  4. Search Automatically:
    • Choose “Search automatically for drivers.” Windows will try to find and install the latest driver automatically.
  5. If That Doesn't Work, Try Manual Update:
    • If Windows can't find a driver, go to the manufacturer's website (e.g., Intel, Realtek, etc.) and download the latest driver for your network adapter.
    • In Device Manager, right-click on your network adapter, select “Update driver,” and then choose “Browse my computer for drivers.”
    • Navigate to the folder where you saved the downloaded driver and follow the on-screen instructions.

Why this works: Updating your network adapter drivers ensures that your network hardware is communicating correctly with Windows. This can resolve conflicts that might be preventing NetSpeedMonitor from functioning properly.

4. Check for Conflicting Software

Sometimes, other software running on your system might be interfering with NetSpeedMonitor. Common culprits include firewalls, antivirus programs, and other network monitoring tools. Try temporarily disabling these programs to see if it resolves the issue.

  1. Disable Antivirus/Firewall:
    • Temporarily disable your antivirus and firewall software. Be careful when doing this, and only do it for a short period to test if it's causing the conflict.
  2. Close Unnecessary Applications:
    • Close any other applications that might be using network resources, such as download managers or streaming services.
  3. Test NetSpeedMonitor:
    • See if NetSpeedMonitor starts working after disabling these programs. If it does, you'll need to configure the conflicting software to allow NetSpeedMonitor to run properly.

Why this works: By temporarily disabling potentially conflicting software, you can isolate whether one of these programs is the root cause of the problem. If it is, you can then adjust the settings of the conflicting software to allow NetSpeedMonitor to function correctly.

5. Ensure the Ndis.sys Driver is Running

NetSpeedMonitor relies on the ndis.sys driver to capture network traffic. If this driver isn't running correctly, NetSpeedMonitor won't work. Here’s how to check and ensure it’s running:

  1. Open Services:
    • Press Win + R, type services.msc, and press Enter.
  2. Locate NDIS System Driver:
    • Scroll through the list of services to find “NDIS System Driver.”
  3. Check the Status:
    • Ensure the status is set to “Running.” If it's not running, right-click on it and select “Start.”
  4. Set Startup Type to Automatic:
    • Right-click on “NDIS System Driver,” select “Properties,” and then go to the “General” tab.
    • Set the “Startup type” to “Automatic.” This ensures that the driver starts automatically when Windows boots up.

Why this works: The ndis.sys driver is essential for network communication. Ensuring it's running and set to start automatically guarantees that NetSpeedMonitor has the necessary foundation to monitor network traffic.

6. Use an Alternative Network Monitoring Tool

If you've tried all the above steps and NetSpeedMonitor still isn't working, it might be time to consider using an alternative network monitoring tool. There are several excellent options available, such as:

  • GlassWire: A powerful network security monitor with a user-friendly interface.
  • NetBalancer: Allows you to control and monitor network traffic for individual applications.
  • DU Meter: A simple and straightforward bandwidth monitor.

Why this works: Sometimes, a particular piece of software just doesn't play well with a specific system configuration. Switching to an alternative tool can provide the functionality you need without the compatibility issues.

Advanced Troubleshooting Steps

If none of the above solutions work, here are a few more advanced steps you can try:

1. Check for Windows Updates

Make sure your Windows 10 system is up to date. Sometimes, updates include fixes for compatibility issues that might be affecting NetSpeedMonitor.

  • Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update and click “Check for updates.”

2. System File Checker (SFC)

Run the System File Checker tool to scan for and repair corrupted system files.

  • Open Command Prompt as an administrator (search for “cmd,” right-click, and select “Run as administrator”).
  • Type sfc /scannow and press Enter. Wait for the scan to complete and follow any on-screen instructions.

3. Clean Boot

Perform a clean boot to start Windows with a minimal set of drivers and startup programs. This can help identify if a third-party program is causing the issue.

  • Press Win + R, type msconfig, and press Enter.
  • Go to the “Services” tab, check “Hide all Microsoft services,” and then click “Disable all.”
  • Go to the “Startup” tab and click “Open Task Manager.” Disable all startup items.
  • Restart your computer and see if NetSpeedMonitor works.

Conclusion

Alright, guys, that's a wrap! We've covered a whole bunch of solutions to get NetSpeedMonitor working on your Windows 10 system. From compatibility mode to driver updates, and even considering alternative tools, you should now have a solid arsenal of troubleshooting steps. Remember to take it one step at a time and test after each fix to pinpoint the exact cause. Good luck, and happy monitoring!