My PC's wired internet connection has been unstable for about a month. The connection randomly switches between limited internet access and completely disconnected, usually every 5–15 seconds. After roughly five minutes, it often drops entirely. A Windows Network Reset temporarily fixes the problem, but I've had to repeat it almost every day, so I'm worried there's an underlying hardware or network issue.
The computer is about 5.5 years old, with 32 GB of RAM and a 3.60 GHz processor. I've tried both 35-foot and 25-foot Ethernet cables. The PC is connected through an internet booster rather than directly to the main router. Another computer using the same booster remains connected reliably. What should I test to determine whether the problem is the booster, Ethernet cable, network adapter, or something else on the PC?
1 Answer
Another device working through the same booster doesn’t completely rule it out, since different Ethernet ports, cables, or network adapters can behave differently. Try swapping the cable and booster port, then test the PC directly at the router. If it only fails through the booster, troubleshoot or replace the booster; if it fails everywhere, reinstall or update the PC’s Ethernet driver and check the adapter for hardware problems.
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