WiFi is a wireless connection that provides greater convenience than an ethernet connection. Although it is more convenient, it is also a significant disadvantage, particularly in weak or failed connections.
WiFi connections weaken with distance or obstructions such as walls, whereas ethernet connections do not. While WiFi dominates almost all of our network connections in today’s world, there are times when an ethernet or wired connection will suffice.
Ethernet commonly refers to the wired connection to the internet router.
How to fix “WiFi working but Ethernet is not”
1. Check The Connection
This is the first step you should take in the troubleshooting process. Examine the connection between your router and your computer for any issues. If your Ethernet is not working, but your WiFi is, this means there’s a poor connection between the two.
First, double-check the cable connection to see if some wear and tear in the cable indicates a bad connection.
Check for any broken ports as well. Connect the cable to another port if one is available or to another device.
If any of these are faulty, replace the faulty hardware and retry the connection. If this does not resolve your problem, proceed to the next solution.
2. Turn off Your WiFi
When your device is connected to WiFi and has an ethernet connection, it will prefer to use it for internet access. Despite this, the WiFi icon appears in the lower-left bar, leading to a connection screwup.
To disable WiFi, locate the WiFi icon in the lower-left corner of your screen. When you move your cursor over it, you’ll see a small box with the name of your network and whether or not you have internet access.
Right-click the icon and select Properties. Select the ‘Open Network and Internet Settings’ option. Select WiFi from the list and turn it off.
Recheck the icon in the lower-left corner of the screen. Is it displaying internet access? If yes, that means it’s connected to the Ethernet.
3. Check Router
Plug your Ethernet into another port on the same router. If the network connection establishes, it means that the issue lies with that specific port on your router. The quick fix is to use the Ethernet on the working port.
4. Check Ethernet Cable
If the problem is not with your router, the next step is to ensure that the problem is not with your ethernet cable.
To test, connect your Ethernet to another system. If it works there, the issue is with your computer. If it doesn’t work, your ethernet cable needs a replacement.
5. Update Network Drivers
Network drivers enable computers to communicate with routers and be up to date.
Old drivers may have problems delivering high speeds, so updating them is the safest option.
To update your Network drivers on Windows, follow these steps:
• Hold down the Windows Key and the R key simultaneously.
• In the Run box that appears, type “devmgmt.msc” without the quotation marks.
• Look for a section titled Network adapters in the Device Manager window that appears.
• Expand it, right-click on each entry, and then select “Update Driver.”
• Run the driver update process for each network adapter driver.
To check for network driver updates on your Mac, follow these steps:
• In the top right corner of your screen, click on the Apple logo.
• Click on “Software Update.”
• Apple will automatically detect and install any driver updates that are required.
6. Scan For Malware issues
Viruses can consume your valuable bandwidth to deliver their malicious payload correctly. In the case of some viruses, their entire purpose may be to clog your internet connection and cause you to experience slower speeds.
Run a free Malwarebytes or AVG anti-virus scan. If you’re using Windows and don’t want to install any additional software, ask Windows Defender to run a scan for you.
7. Disable VPN
Due to the way VPNs operate, they can slow down internet speeds. They switch between servers worldwide to deliver region-locked content while protecting your privacy.
Disable any VPNs you were using and re-run the speed test to see if the VPN was the cause of the slowdown.
Also, check Best Switch Ethernet Adapters.
FAQs
Why is my Ethernet saying no Internet?
Check that the Ethernet cable is correctly connected to your router’s WAN port. If the cable is not connected to the Internet (WAN) port, you have a functional WiFi network but no Internet access.
Check that the Ethernet cable is securely connected and that the connector is in good condition. If the connection cable is damaged, you need to replace it.
Why is my computer not connected to Ethernet?
Don’t worry if you can connect to the Internet via WiFi but not to Ethernet via a cable. Cable issues, hardware issues, faulty network drivers, and other factors can all contribute to the problem.
Why does my computer have no internet connection?
There could be several reasons you can’t connect to the Internet in Windows. The following are some of the most common causes of these problems:
• Drivers that are damaged or incompatible.
• There have been no updates.
• Hardware or software issues.
• Separation from the router or an obstacle.
How do I Fix an Ethernet connection?
Resetting your network can also aid in the resolution of internet connection problems. Go to the settings page, select Network & Internet, and finally status. Scroll down till you see the Network Reset option.
Click the Reset Now button > confirm by clicking Yes. Wait for your computer to restart before checking if your Ethernet connection is active.
Why is my ethernet internet speed slowing down?
If your Ethernet connection is slowing down due to the port, the cable you’re using could be to blame. The cable could be broken, or the length of the cable could slow down the connection. If you’re using an old or cheap cable, consider purchasing or borrowing a new one to see if it causes any issues.
What can I do if my Ethernet cable is not working?
You can clean it with a small brush or a blower. A small LED indicator is usually located next to the port on PCs. The LED should light up when you plug in the cable, indicating that the connection is secure. However, if the LED begins to blink or turns off after a short period, the Ethernet port may be down or defective.
Read also How To Connect Two Wifi Routers Without Wire.
