A process for manufacturing high molecular weight polyethylene fibers, including subjecting a polyethylene tape with a weight average molecular weight of at least 500,000 grams/mole, a Mw/Mn ratio of at most 6, and a 200/110 uniplanar orientation parameter of at least 3 to a force in the direction of the thickness of the tape over the entire width of the tape. A polyethylene fiber having a Mw of at least 500 000 gram/mole, a Mw/Mn ratio of at most 6, and a 020 uniplanar orientation value of at most 55°.