Fix NetSpeedMonitor Not Working On Windows 10

by Jhon Lennon 46 views

Is your NetSpeedMonitor refusing to cooperate with your Windows 10 setup? Don't worry, you're not alone! Many users have faced this frustrating issue, but the good news is, it's often fixable. Let's dive into some solutions to get your network speed monitoring back on track.

Understanding the Problem

Before we jump into the fixes, let's quickly understand what NetSpeedMonitor is and why it might be acting up. NetSpeedMonitor is a handy little tool that displays your current network speed directly in the Windows taskbar. It's super useful for keeping an eye on your download and upload speeds, especially when troubleshooting network issues or just wanting to know how much bandwidth your apps are using.

However, compatibility issues can arise when upgrading to a new operating system like Windows 10. Sometimes, older software just doesn't play nice with the latest OS updates. This can lead to NetSpeedMonitor not displaying any data, crashing, or simply not launching at all. Another common culprit is driver incompatibility. NetSpeedMonitor relies on network drivers to function correctly, and outdated or corrupted drivers can prevent it from working properly.

Furthermore, conflicts with other software can also interfere with NetSpeedMonitor. For example, certain firewalls or antivirus programs might block NetSpeedMonitor's access to network data. Additionally, incorrect configuration settings within NetSpeedMonitor itself can also cause it to malfunction. It's also possible that the installation files for NetSpeedMonitor have become corrupted, which can happen due to various reasons such as incomplete downloads or disk errors.

Finally, it's worth noting that NetSpeedMonitor is a 32-bit application, and while it generally works fine on 64-bit versions of Windows 10, it might require some extra steps to ensure compatibility. Now that we have a better understanding of the potential causes of the issue, let's move on to the solutions.

Solutions to Get NetSpeedMonitor Working Again

Okay, guys, let's roll up our sleeves and get this fixed. Here's a breakdown of the most effective solutions to get NetSpeedMonitor back up and running on your Windows 10 machine.

1. Reinstall NetSpeedMonitor in Compatibility Mode

This is often the first and most effective solution. Compatibility mode allows you to run the program as if it were running on an older version of Windows. Here’s how to do it:

  • Uninstall the Current Version: First, uninstall NetSpeedMonitor from your computer. Go to Control Panel > Programs > Programs and Features, find NetSpeedMonitor, and uninstall it.
  • Download the Latest Version: Download the latest version of NetSpeedMonitor from a reputable source. Make sure it's compatible with Windows, even if it's an older version.
  • Install in Compatibility Mode:
    • Right-click on the installer file.
    • Select "Properties."
    • Go to the "Compatibility" tab.
    • Check the box that says "Run this program in compatibility mode for."
    • Select an older version of Windows (like Windows 7 or Windows 8) from the dropdown menu.
    • Also, check the box that says "Run this program as an administrator."
    • Click "Apply" and then "OK."
    • Run the installer and follow the on-screen instructions.
  • Restart Your Computer: After the installation, restart your computer to ensure all changes take effect.

Running the installer in compatibility mode tricks Windows into thinking the program is running on an older operating system, which can resolve compatibility issues. Running as administrator gives the program the necessary permissions to access system resources.

2. 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:

  • Open Device Manager: Press Windows Key + X and select “Device Manager” from the menu.
  • Expand Network Adapters: In Device Manager, find and expand the “Network adapters” category.
  • Update the Driver:
    • Right-click on your network adapter (usually named something like “Ethernet Adapter” or “Wireless Network Adapter”).
    • Select “Update driver.”
    • Choose “Search automatically for drivers.” Windows will search for and install the latest drivers automatically.
  • Restart Your Computer: After updating the drivers, restart your computer.

If Windows can't find a newer driver, you can also try downloading the latest driver from the manufacturer's website (e.g., Intel, Realtek, etc.). Once you've downloaded the driver, follow the same steps as above, but instead of choosing “Search automatically for drivers,” choose “Browse my computer for drivers” and point it to the location where you saved the downloaded driver file.

3. Check Firewall and Antivirus Settings

Sometimes, your firewall or antivirus software might be blocking NetSpeedMonitor from accessing network data. Here’s how to check and adjust their settings:

  • Firewall Settings:
    • Open “Windows Defender Firewall” (search for it in the Start menu).
    • Click on “Allow an app or feature through Windows Defender Firewall.”
    • Click “Change settings” (you might need administrator privileges).
    • Find NetSpeedMonitor in the list. If it's not there, click “Allow another app…” and browse to the NetSpeedMonitor executable file.
    • Make sure the checkbox next to NetSpeedMonitor is checked, and also ensure that both “Private” and “Public” networks are checked.
    • Click “OK.”
  • Antivirus Settings:
    • Open your antivirus software.
    • Look for settings related to firewalls, application control, or exceptions.
    • Add NetSpeedMonitor to the list of allowed applications or create an exception for it.

The exact steps will vary depending on your antivirus software, but the general idea is to ensure that NetSpeedMonitor is not being blocked from accessing the network. Temporarily disabling your firewall or antivirus software can help you determine if they are the cause of the problem, but remember to re-enable them after testing.

4. Ensure the NDIS Driver is Enabled

NetSpeedMonitor relies on the Network Driver Interface Specification (NDIS) driver to capture network traffic. Make sure it's enabled:

  • Open Network Connections: Press Windows Key + R, type ncpa.cpl, and press Enter.
  • Properties: Right-click on your active network adapter and select