Chrome Dev upload speed test bug analysis
The easiest way to troubleshoot internet issues is to do a speed test by typing 'speed test' into a Google search. This test measures your internet connection, browser, network, and computer performance. Unexpected results usually indicate issues with either your internet or the browser.
I have noticed slow Upload speeds in the Google Chrome Dev version. To compare, I installed Chrome Dev alongside the regular public Chrome version on fresh installations of Windows 10 and Windows 7.
The slow upload speeds were observed during 'speed test' searches on Google. Interestingly, Speedtest.net did not show a significant difference in the upload speeds between the two versions of Chrome. Hence, the Google speed test is more realistic, as every time you click, it routes traffic through different Cloud routes.
Often overlooked, upload speed is crucial not only for file uploading but also for a fast, smooth browsing experience on complex, dynamic websites with multiple two-way connections, video conferencing, cloud backups, online gaming etc.
In Australia, the National Broadband Network (NBN) typically offers upload speeds of 20 Mbps on standard plans, with premium plans providing speeds of over 32 Mbps.
Note that the Google Chrome Dev version is intended for developers and early adopters to test new features and improvements before they are rolled out to the stable public version.
Bug in Chromium browser fixed
I reported the bug to the Chromium team (bugs.chromium.org/p/chromium/issues/detail?id=1286909), on 13th Jan 2022. It appeared to be quite serious, affecting also:
- 99.0.4836.2 - Canary
- 99.0.4818.2 - Dev
- 98.0.4758.54 - Beta
The solution found on Jan 20th, merged on Jan 25 in ver Beta 98.0.4758.74
How to test internet speed
You can measure internet speed using both browser-based tests and dedicated apps, but results often differ. Google's built-in speed test runs directly in the browser and reflects real-world browsing performance, including DNS resolution, routing, browser networking stack behavior, and system load. Dedicated apps such as the Speedtest.net app typically bypass some browser overhead and may connect to optimized nearby servers, often reporting higher or more stable peak throughput. For troubleshooting browser-related issues, the Google speed test is more representative. For raw line speed validation, an app is usually more consistent.
For deeper diagnostics beyond basic speed tests, the Ubiquiti WiFiman app provides detailed visibility into WiFi signal strength, channel congestion, latency, packet loss, roaming behavior, and local network performance. Unlike simple throughput tests, WiFiman helps identify real bottlenecks such as interference, poor access point placement, overloaded channels, or weak client signal levels. This makes it useful when browser or app speed tests show inconsistent results and you need to isolate whether the limitation is WiFi, routing, or the ISP connection.