I've got a desktop that automatically negotiates its Ethernet connection to 100Mbps, while the same cable and router lets my laptop hit the full gigabit speed. My desktop used to connect at gigabit speed, but I'm not sure when it changed. I've tried replacing the PCIE network adapter thinking the motherboard port might be faulty, and I've also switched cables, which briefly solved the issue until it dropped back to 100Mbps the next day. If everything checks out for gigabit speeds during tests, what could be causing the drop? Is there something I'm missing?
4 Answers
You might want to try plugging your desktop into a different location or router if possible. If it continues to have the same issue elsewhere, it's probably something on your PC's side, and in that case, a fresh OS installation might save you a lot of troubleshooting hassle. But if it works fine in another spot, then it could be a problem with your router settings.
Have you checked the Ethernet port on your PC? Sometimes it's just a dirty port or a bent pin that can cause issues. If you haven’t checked that yet, it’s worth a look!
I did buy a new network adapter trying to rule that out, but maybe it was also faulty.
Is your cable running near any electronics or appliances? Those can mess with the signal too. Another thing you could try is turning off auto-negotiation on the desktop and forcing it to 1Gbps. That way it won’t drop down to 100Mbps even if there's a link issue.
Sounds like your router might be the problem. If you're using a basic gateway from your ISP, consider getting a better router. Those cheap ones can cause all sorts of issues with connection speeds. You might also want to check for any damage to your cables; although they usually don't fail unless there’s visible wear, it can happen.
Yeah, I figured my ATT gateway wasn't the best. I’m thinking of upgrading it soon anyway for better WiFi.
Good point! It's a hassle, but I guess I might need to consider that if I can't solve this otherwise.