I'm having a strange issue with my internet speed. When I'm downstairs near the router, my speed tests show I'm getting around 800 Mbps. However, when I run a speed test on my computer that's connected via Ethernet—because WiFi doesn't reach my room—I'm only getting about 100 Mbps. I thought Ethernet was supposed to be faster than WiFi. Can anyone help me figure out how to fix this? Thanks!
5 Answers
Sometimes, it’s just a matter of having an outdated cable. If you have an older Ethernet cable, replacing it could solve your problem.
One common issue could be that any device in the Ethernet chain isn't supporting the higher speeds, which ends up bottlenecking you at 100 Mbps. This could be an older router, a cheap switch, or even your computer itself. Also, make sure your Ethernet cable isn't an older type that can’t handle fast speeds.
I had a similar problem but it turned out my old patch cable was the culprit. After replacing it with a Cat 6 cable, the difference was like night and day—my speed shot up significantly. So, yes, make sure to check your cables; it really does matter!
Same here! I didn’t think cables mattered until I upgraded, and it made a huge difference.
Make sure to check the specs of your Ethernet card and your router. Both should support gigabit speeds. Also, if you're using any adapters, ensure those are compatible and plugged into a USB 3.0 or 3.1 port.
It sounds like your Ethernet connection is likely negotiating at 100 Mbps. You should check the Ethernet adapter status in Windows to see what speed it's showing. If it reads 100 Mbps, you might want to swap out your cable for at least a Cat5e cable and ensure you’re plugged into a gigabit port on the router. Also, double-check that your network interface card (NIC) is set to auto-negotiate and try a different port, as a bad cable or connection could drop the speed to Fast Ethernet.
Absolutely! I experienced a similar shock when I swapped out my cable and my speed jumped from 100 Mbps to 1.2 Gbps. Cables do make a difference!