Whether you wish to keep a close eye on the bandwidth, nab the apps gobbling up a ton of data, or desperately troubleshoot the slow internet, Task Manager has got you covered with detailed network usage. Frankly speaking, I heavily rely on this handy tool to capture the data-hungry culprits and resolve a malfunctioning internet connection on my PC.
Unfortunately, for a handful of users, Task Manager is not showing the network usage on Windows 11. If it’s gone into hiding on your system as well, let’s jump right in to try out the 8 reliable tips and tricks to get rid of the problem!
How to Fix Task Manager Not Showing Network Usage on Windows 11
From what I’ve experienced, this network usage issue occurs due to four major reasons –
- Disabled services
- Outdated drivers
- System glitches
- Incorrect settings
Hence, I’m going to specifically address these prime culprits along with other miscellaneous ones.
1. Restart Your Computer
Note that temporary system glitches or background service hiccups on Windows can make life difficult for Task Manager, preventing it from displaying network data correctly.
- So, click on the Start menu on your PC > Power icon > Restart.
- Now, be sure to wait for your system to reboot and then launch the Task Manager again to check the Network tab.
2. Check Task Manager Settings
It’s worth pointing out that at times the issue isn’t technical—Task Manager might simply not be configured to display network usage.
- Use the Ctrl + Shift + Esc keyboard shortcut to open Task Manager.
- Now, click on More details if it’s in compact mode.
- Then, head over to the Processes or Performance tab.
- Right-click on column headers and then enable Network if it’s unchecked.
2. Update Windows 11
Missing or outdated system updates may cause bugs that affect Task Manager’s functionality, including network usage tracking.
- To get going, press Windows + I to open Settings > select Windows Update in the left sidebar.
- Click on Check for updates.
- Download and install any available updates.
- After you have successfully installed the update, make sure to restart your PC.
3. Restart Network Services
Network-related services like Network List Service or Network Location Awareness may stop working properly, leading to missing data.
- Press Windows + R, type services.msc, and press Enter.
- Locate Network List Service.
- Right-click on it and select Restart.
- Repeat the same for Network Location Awareness.
- Close the window and check Task Manager again.
4. Update Network Drivers
Outdated or corrupted network drivers can stop Windows from accurately tracking and displaying network usage.
- Right-click the Start button and select Device Manager.
- Expand Network adapters > right-click your network adapter.
- Select Update driver.
- Click Search automatically for drivers > restart your computer after updating.
5. Reset Network Settings
Incorrect or corrupted network configurations can interfere with how usage data is collected and displayed.
- Dive into the Settings app > Network & Internet.
- Scroll down and click Advanced network settings.
- Select Network reset > click Reset now and confirm.
- Once the reset is done, restart your Windows device.
6. Run System File Checker (SFC Scan)
Corrupted system files can affect core features like Task Manager and prevent proper data display.
- Search for Command Prompt in the Start menu > right-click and select Run as administrator.
- Type
sfc /scannowand press Enter.
- Allow the scan to complete.
- Reboot your system once the process finishes.
7. Use DISM Tool to Repair System Image
If the Windows system image is damaged, it can impact performance tools like Task Manager.
- On your device, launch the Command Prompt as administrator.
- Type
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth. - After that, press Enter to run the command and be sure to wait until the process completes.
- In the end, restart your PC.
Wrapping up…
And that’s about it! When Task Manager stops showing network usage in Windows 11, it’s usually due to minor system issues, outdated drivers, or misconfigured settings. By following the methods above—starting from simple fixes like restarting your PC to advanced solutions like SFC and DISM—you can systematically identify and resolve the problem.
