Why is my wired connection slower than WiFi (expert fixes explained)
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Usually, when you need a more stable, stronger, and faster Internet connection, it's best to connect your device directly to an Ethernet connection source. Interestingly, it does not always work out the way we would like. Instead of getting faster, your connection may become slower, even more than the WiFi connection you were trying to fix.
Normally this shouldn't happen, and when it does, it means something is wrong. So why is your wired connection slower than your WiFi? In our article, we will look at some troubleshooting tips to help you solve and diagnose the problem.
Generally, your wired connection can be slower than WiFi because the ports are bad - use a different cable if your current one is bad. Incorrect network connection settings or you need to update your network drivers. You need to disable and enable your network card or have/should check for electromagnetic interference. You have malware or need to disable VPN services.
Ethernet vs WiFi: What's the difference?
In terms of convenience and reliable speed, Ethernet and WiFi are different. Ethernet provides data transfer rates of 1 gigabits per second, and the latest version of WiFi can provide speeds up to 1.3 gigabits per second.
However, this is in theory. In a real application, you get faster and more reliable Internet connections over Ethernet than over WiFi. WiFi uses radio waves that can be absorbed by metal structures and thick walls.
This means that in the process of transmitting data, Wi-Fi loses a lot of speed when it is blocked by large objects. In terms of latency, Wi-Fi is slower than Ethernet. By the way, latency is the time it takes to send requests from your computer to the server and get a response.
While this is not a big issue for the average Internet user, it is critical for time-sensitive applications such as competitive gaming. In terms of availability, Wi-Fi performs better than Ethernet because it's easily accessible. All you need is a smartphone to connect.
Why is my wired connection slower than WiFi?
So now that we've identified the differences between a wired connection and WiFi, it's time to look at the reasons why your wired connection is slower than WiFi.
Test it right
The first step is to identify the specific issue causing the slow connection. So how do you perform a test? While still connected to WiFi, quickly run a speed test and record the results. Then do the same speed test while your device is connected to ethernet.
Make sure you turn off WiFi on the device you want to test and turn off other devices connected to WiFi. Record a test from an Ethernet test.
For more detailed results, run the same tests on laptops and PCs in your workspace. This will let you know if a slow wired connection is a feature of your device or a general phenomenon for all devices.
Switch ports
You will be surprised that the port you are connected to is the source of the problem. Your router has multiple ports and if you are connected to one of them that is not working optimally, your internet speed will be affected.
So switch the port you are using to see if there is a speed improvement. You can try all ports until you find the one that provides the desired speed.
Replace Ethernet cable
Old cables tend to be incompatible with today's internet speeds. If your Ethernet cable is out of date, you should consider purchasing a new one. When purchasing a new part, make sure it is long enough to connect to your computer. It is better to have a longer cable than a short one. Shorter cables can easily get damaged if you pull on them regularly to get to your computer.
Update network drivers
If the previous solutions don't work, it's time to update your network drivers. Network drivers allow your computer to communicate with your internet router and they need to be updated.
Older drivers usually have connection speed issues. Therefore, it is better to update them. To update network adapter drivers on your Windows device, follow these simple steps:
- Press and hold "Window Key + R"
- Enter in the popup window
- Locate the "Network adapters" section in the "Device Manager" window.
- Right-click each entry and then click the Update Driver button.
- Follow the instructions to complete the driver update process for all network adapter drivers.
If you are using a Mac computer system, here is how to check and update your network drivers:
- Click on the Apple logo in the upper right corner of the screen.
- Click "Software Update"
- Your system will do a quick search, pull up the necessary driver updates, and install them automatically.
Check network connection settings
The next solution is to check your router configuration. Follow the steps below to complete the process:
- Open your browser and in the address bar type
- Log in to your router using your login details. You can also check the router for a username/password tag if you haven't set up login details.
- Then reboot the router on the settings page to undo any erroneous changes made to the router.
- Go through the router activation process again.
Disable and enable network card
You can disable and enable the network card on your Windows device. To do this, follow these steps:
- Click to open Device Manager, right click on all entries in network adapters and select Disable Device.
- Wait ten seconds and right-click the entries again to enable them. Now test your internet speed to see if it has improved.
electromagnetic interference
We mentioned earlier that external interference affects WiFi, but also Ethernet, albeit to a lesser extent. Interference from various sources such as fluorescent lights and microwave ovens can affect the Ethernet connection. So consider placing your router about ten feet away from these sources to minimize their interference.
Scanning for viruses and malware
Malware and viruses can consume your bandwidth as they deliver malicious payloads. If you have a slow Internet connection with a wired connection, run an antivirus scan on your device. There are various types of antivirus software including Kaspersky, Sophos, Norton, etc.
Disable all VPN services
VPNs move between servers around the world to deliver region-specific content because they provide privacy protection. Doing all this requires a lot of bandwidth and can result in slow internet. If this is a possible reason for slow internet speed, try disabling all VPNs running on your device and run a speed test to see if the VPN is causing the delay.
Check for ISP Issues
ISP issues are common, and if your ISP is causing the slowdown, you just have to wait. You can call them to find out what the problem is and find out the time frame for fixing it. You can continue to use Wi-Fi while you wait for them to fix the problem. (1)
Final Thoughts - Ethernet Should Be Faster
Ethernet is a wired connection and should provide reliable speeds by default. Since it's not common to be slower, you should be concerned that your ethernet isn't providing optimal internet speeds. (2)
Understandably, it can be frustrating when you notice that your Ethernet connection is slower than your WiFi, but you can troubleshoot and resolve the issue. We've covered ten solutions to your wired connection being slower than WiFi. You should be able to fix the problems you're having with any of these solutions.
Take a look at some of our articles below.
- What happens if the ground wire is not connected
- Where to connect the remote wire for the amplifier
- multimeter test output
Recommendations
(1) ISP - https://www.techtarget.com/whatis/definition/ISP-Internet-service-provider
(2) Ethernet — https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/types-ethernet-protocol-mahesh-patil?trk=public_profile_article_view
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