My wired Ethernet connection randomly stops working and reports a bad connection. Restarting the network adapter sometimes helps, but I've already tried the basic troubleshooting steps and can't get it to stay reliable. I'm using the Ethernet jack built into the wall. What could be causing the dropouts, and how can I fix them?
1 Answer
This could be caused by power-saving settings or a network adapter driver. Open Device Manager, find your Ethernet adapter under Network Adapters, open Properties, and disable “Allow the computer to turn off this device” under Power Management. Also check the Advanced tab for Energy Efficient Ethernet, power-saving, or ultra-low-power options and disable them if available. Updating or reinstalling the adapter driver is worth trying too.
The wall jack itself may also be part of the problem, especially if it’s connected to loose or damaged wiring. Try a different Ethernet cable and another wall jack or router port if possible.