In order to get a faster and more secure internet connection, most people prefer ethernet over WiFi. But this may not work the way you expect it. Rather than getting a faster internet connection, you could experience a connection slower than WiFi. If this is happening with you, then you need to figure out why the issue occurs and how to fix it. Some basic troubleshooting can help you reach the root cause behind the issue wired connection is slower than Wi-Fi.
If your question is, “why is my ethernet slower than wifi”, then we have the answer for it.
Why Your Ethernet Slower Than WiFi
Besides having several benefits over WiFi, it has some drawbacks that cause slow data processing speed. This slow connection occurs because of many factors such as interference, cable length, distance etc.
Your wired network connection must be faster than your wireless network connection until or unless there’s no problem with it.
1. Inappropriate Cable Length
First of all, pay attention to the cable length. A standard ethernet cable length must be 328 feet or 100 meters. This same length is applicable for all cable categories like Cat5, Cat5e, Cat6 and Cat6a. If your cable length is greater than standard, use a shorter one.
2. ISP Blocking
Secondly, consider ISP issues. If there’s an issue, the internet connection will become slower. ISP problems can happen because of an underground and over-the-ground cable infrastructure. It’s possible if the cable might not be updated or in damaged condition.
3. Signal Interference
Third, one of the common issues of slow internet is interference. For example, external sources like high-volume speakers, motors, fluorescent lights, microwave ovens etc., act as interference sources. So, you can move the cables a few feet away from those sources, specifically from the microwave oven. Older ovens create a larger interference, so move the cable ten feet away from it.
4. Damaged Port
Fourth, verify if the ports are working fine because heavily used ports can often wear out. You may notice an older, slower computer may not be able to connect to the ethernet due to a damaged rusting port or something is wrong with the hardware. It can occur when you’ve used the same port again and again. If you plug out the ethernet cable regularly, a pin in the port could have bent.
5. No Power Connection
Fifth, make sure all your devices have a power connection and are connected to the right port.
6. Faulty Wire Connection
Sixth, a poor choice of wire can lead you to experience issues like slow internet connection. If you use a faulty or inappropriately crimped wire, loose ends or incorrect cable connected to the computer, be prepared to have slower internet problems. For better ethernet connectivity, the standard cable needs Cat5e cabling.
7. Security Threat in Computer
Finally, you need to check that the slow internet connection is simply due to a virus or if there’s any spyware infecting your system. Spyware accesses all the information about your activities running on the PC and hacks the information without you knowing.
How to Fix Slow Ethernet Speed?
Test Internet Connection Correctly
Start with testing your internet connection speed correctly to determine if ethernet or WiFi is faster. If you don’t do the test properly, it might show you the result saying that ethernet is slower than WiFi when it’s not correct. To get the best result, make sure to turn off your WiFi and test the ethernet connection.
Test Speed on Another Device
If you have another desktop PC, laptop or device handy where you can run the ethernet speed test, it’s a good try to attempt. Sometimes, instead of ethernet, your device can be the main problem. A slower and older computer often can’t run a faster connection and results in an impression that your internet is slow when it’s actually the device’s fault.
Use a Different Cable
A basic thing that can help you when your internet goes slow is to use a different cable. It’s possible the cable you’re using might be damaged, broken or its length could affect how fast your connection can be. If you’re using a broken, cheap or shorter cable, get a new cable of standard size to check if that’s causing issues.
Switch Port
If it’s not the cable making your ethernet connection slow, switch to another port. The port you use to plug the cable into the router or modem can create a difference in the speed. Therefore, it’s better to check out the simple possibilities before trying advanced or expensive ways.
Update Network Drivers
If your ethernet connection is slower than the WiFi connection, one of the other causes might be the drivers for the network adapter card. You might require to update those drivers to make sure they’re working correctly or possibly remove and change them.
Disable and Re-Enable Network Card
Some people say that if they disable and re-enable their network card, they get a higher speed from their ethernet. Sometimes, it might be best to replace your network card if it looks like a hardware issue.
Check Network Settings
There could be some problems with your network connection settings, which causes you to have this trouble. So, check the network settings to find out if it’s set properly and there’s nothing wrong or something misconfigured that it shouldn’t. If you know the network connection settings well, you’ll be able to figure out the issue.
Run Antivirus Scan
Malware or viruses often take over your bandwidth so they can infect your computer with harmful payload. In rare cases, some viruses might jam your internet connection and cause a slower speed. You can run a scan with anti-virus software to identify something malicious that could affect the speed.
Since ethernet is still a good choice for a better connection, it’s frustrating if it becomes slower than WiFi. So, when you face slow internet connectivity, try solving the issue by verifying the basic reasons and applying the solutions accordingly. If you have further queries regarding it, please let us know in the comment section.