A wired connection to your router typically provides faster speeds and more reliability than a Wi-Fi (wireless) connection.
How to connect Ethernet cable? It’s simple to connect your PC to the router. Simply put, just connect an Ethernet cord from your router to the Ethernet port on your PC. In the next steps, we’ll walk you through configuring your device fully and explain when a wired connection works best.
What Is An Ethernet Cable?
Local area network devices are connected via this particular type of network (LAN) cable
An Ethernet cable is what connects your computer, router, and modem, as well as any other wired, Internet-capable devices you may have in your home, to your broadband network (like a wireless router). game controller and laptop). Ethernet ports accept cables that look like landline connections, albeit a bit thicker, and have more wires.
Because Ethernet cables are widely accepted, all computer manufacturers encourage their use. Aside from some ultra-modern laptops, they can be used with most hardware. These devices can still be connected with an Ethernet cable; all you need is an Ethernet adapter.
What Different Kinds Of Ethernet Cables Are There?
These are the most typical Ethernet cable types:
The fifth type of Ethernet network cable, known as Category 5 (Cat5), supports speeds of up to 100Mbps. An improved variant called Cat5e offers data rates of up to 1Gbps. It was a common option for most businesses until recently.
One gigabit per second (Gbps) transmission is possible across a 100-meter distance with Category 6 (Cat6) cables and much more at shorter distances.
Compared to Cat5 and Cat6, Category 7 (Cat7) is more resilient and has a longer lifespan. Up to 10Gbps in speed is supported. Shielded twisted pairs are used, greatly enhancing noise resistance.
Are There Advantages To Ethernet Versus WiFi?
An Ethernet cable may offer a quicker, more dependable internet connection if your computer remains stationary. This is due to the fact that it is not impacted by elements that can interfere with wi-fi, such as the environment, distance from the router, or objects that block the signal.
How To Connect Ethernet Cable With PC
How to connect Ethernet cable to PC? Depending on the model, you can use a cable or wireless connection to link the computer to the router.
In contrast to thin and light laptops like the MacBook Air, most laptops allow Wi-Fi connectivity but may not have an Ethernet connector for wired communication. Next, you’ll want a USB adapter.
Every desktop computer has an Ethernet port, and some workstation and game configurations even have two. Computers now have more Wi-Fi than in previous years thanks to Wi-Fi 5.
You should have all the necessary cables if this is your first time connecting your computer to the router with an Ethernet cable. Manufacturers typically ship at least one cable with the router but make sure your product’s parts list includes all of them.
Step 1: Connect your router to the modem
Chances are, you’ve already completed this stage on how to connect Ethernet cable with PC. But before you connect your computer to the network if you are configuring your router for the first time, you need this connection.
Has its own modem
Using an Ethernet cable, connect the modem to your router. Most routers have multiple Ethernet ports, however, there is one designated for direct connection to the modem marked “Internet” or “WAN” (wide area network). Usually, it is not the same color as other Ethernet ports. Make sure you connect your modem’s Ethernet cable to the correct Ethernet port on your router.
If you have a wireless gateway (router/modem combo)
Make sure that the wireless port for the internet connection to your home is securely closed. Your internet connection determines the connection type when performing how to connect Ethernet cable.
For instance, coax is used to bring cable internet into your home, while a filter that fits into any phone jack is required to use DSL. Below, we present more details about the different types of cables.
Step 2: Your PC must be linked to the router
Now that your router is linked to your modem, you may link your computer to the router.
Step 1: Connect the Ethernet cable’s other end to the computer’s Ethernet port. You’ll need a USB adapter if your computer doesn’t have an Ethernet port. Here are two illustrations:
- Ethernet through USB-C
- Ethernet via USB-A
Step 2: Connect the opposite end of the cable to a router’s group of Ethernet ports. They are frequently identified by the terms “LAN” (local area network), “LAN1,” “LAN2,” etc.
Platforms like Windows and macOS ought to connect to the local network without requiring a login. Restart the computer if this doesn’t happen so your router can provide it with a functioning private IP address. Your computer’s Wi-Fi connection and your Ethernet connection do not share the same private IP address.
Conclusion
The most reliable and secure way to connect to the Internet is still physically connecting your devices to the Internet, although it can feel like a throwback to the 1990s. After all, connecting Ethernet to a modem is where your home network begins. Even if your wireless network is in good condition and fully meets your needs, there may still be instances, such as when you stream multimedia content or play games, when the Ethernet connection makes more sense.
