How to Change MTU in Windows

MTU (Maximum Transmission Unit) is the maximum packet size that can be sent over a network. Optimizing the MTU value can improve connection speed and stability, especially if you're experiencing network issues. In this guide, we'll show you how to change the MTU value in Windows.

Why Changing MTU Can Be Useful

A correct MTU setting helps reduce the likelihood of packet fragmentation and data loss. Common issues with MTU arise when using VPNs, gaming, streaming, or other online services. Incorrect MTU settings can lead to lags and slow downloads, especially on high-speed connections.

How to Check the Current MTU Value

  1. Open Command Prompt as an administrator. Press Win + X and select Command Prompt (Admin) or Windows PowerShell (Admin).
  2. Enter the following command: netsh interface ipv4 show subinterfaces and press Enter.
  3. In the list that appears, find your connection (e.g., Ethernet or Wi-Fi) and check the current MTU value in the corresponding column.

How to Change MTU in Windows

  1. Open Command Prompt as an administrator, as described above.
  2. Enter the following command to set a new MTU value for your connection: 
    netsh interface ipv4 set subinterface "Connection Name" mtu=value store=persistent

    Replace "Connection Name" with the name of your connection (e.g., Wi-Fi or Ethernet), and value with the desired MTU value, such as 1500.

  3. Press Enter. If the command was successful, you should see a confirmation message.
  4. To verify, check the updated MTU value by running netsh interface ipv4 show subinterfaces again.

Recommended MTU Values

  • Ethernet: A standard MTU value of 1500 bytes is typically used.
  • VPN: For VPN connections, values between 1400 and 1500 are often best, depending on your provider and configuration.
  • Gaming: To reduce latency, lower MTU values between 576 and 1492 can help, but test to find what works best.

Testing the New MTU Value

To test the new MTU setting, you can use the ping command:

ping google.com -f -l (MTU - 28)

Replace (MTU - 28) with your chosen MTU value minus 28 bytes to account for packet headers. For instance, if your MTU is set to 1400, the command will be ping google.com -f -l 1372. If you see packet loss, try lowering the MTU value.