Hey everyone! I'm new to the tech scene and need some help with my Ethernet wall ports. I just moved into a house, and all my devices are currently on WiFi, but I'm looking to hardwire my computer and game consoles since my internet speed is pretty slow—I'm only getting around 150-250 Mbps out of a promised 500 Mbps from my ISP, Sky.
Here's the setup: my OpenReach box is downstairs with the Sky Hub located right next to it. I have an Ethernet wall port (let's call it Port #1) next to the OpenReach box and another one upstairs in my office (Port #2) where my computer and game consoles are. My idea was to connect the Sky Hub to Port #1 with an Ethernet cable, and then connect Port #2 to a 5-port switch in my office to get everything wired up.
The issue I'm having is that when I plug in the devices to the switch, they light up, but the cable from Port #2 doesn't show any light, which makes me think it's inactive. I've tried different cables and switched things around with no luck.
Is this setup supposed to work? Should I reach out to the builders to check the wall ports? I'd really appreciate any advice!
2 Answers
To figure this out, you might need to track down where those wall ports are actually connected. Sometimes they aren't wired together directly but run back to a central spot where you can set up a network switch. Check any areas in your house that might have a bunch of network cables organized. A network cable tester could also be handy to see if there’s any live connection at the wall port in your office.
And if you find it, you can document how everything is wired for future reference!
It sounds like your setup should work in theory, but there might be an issue with the wiring itself or a faulty connection at your wall ports. Sometimes the faceplates aren’t connected properly, and you might need to check behind them. If you feel comfortable, unscrewing the faceplates can reveal some issues. If not, I recommend getting an Ethernet cable tester to check the connections without pulling everything apart.
Totally agree! A tester can save you a lot of time, and it’ll let you know if you need to get into that wiring or if it’s just a bad connection.
Definitely don’t overlook the cables themselves! Make sure everything is seated properly on both ends.
Yeah, definitely look for a central connection point! It can be hidden away in closets or even the attic, so a little exploring might pay off.