Hey everyone! I recently moved into a new apartment, and I've noticed that one of the Ethernet jacks in the utility closet is only using 7 out of the 8 wires. This limits the connection speed to 100mbps, which is super frustrating. I'm looking for any guidance on how to take apart the RJ45 jack without damaging it, and if anyone has a video or basic instructions on checking the connections, I'd really appreciate it! Thanks in advance for your help!
3 Answers
If the issue is with the wire connection between your device and the wall, it's usually easiest to just replace the whole cable. But if it's the connector that's faulty, you can redo that. If it's a surface mount, just swap out the jack. However, if the problem is deeper in the wall, you might need to run a new line.
To get that RJ45 jack apart, just push the tab on the connector, and it should slide out the back. You'll probably need a punch down tool to fix the faulty connection. You could use something thin and metal in a pinch, but it's not ideal.
If you're looking at replacing the connector, you could just cut the head off the cable and crimp on a new one with the right color coding. That way, you can get it working again quickly!
Actually, you can pinpoint the faulty side using a diagnostic tool like a LinkRunner, but those can be pretty pricey for most DIYers. I've used the thin metal trick too—definitely a temporary fix.