Connecting Ethernet cable can be a difficult task especially to those who are not familiar with the hardware part of the computer. Ethernet is one of the most common connection types. In this post you’ll learn how to connect ethernet cable to laptop successfully.
1. Make Sure That You Have An Ethernet Cable
Before you make the connection, make sure that you have taken out an Ethernet cable from its packaging. The cable should be straight and not coiled. If you find that the cable is coiled, then use a scissor to cut off the coils from both ends of the Ethernet cable. Then make sure that both ends are straightened.
2. Make Sure That You Have The Appropriate Hardware
Before making an Ethernet connection between your computer and router or modem, make sure that you have all the hardware needed. Different devices require different hardware. The Ethernet cable is common in almost all hardware but the other things are not compulsory to be present in every setup or connection process.
3. Plug-In The Hardware And Switch On Your Computer
Once you are sure that you have an Ethernet cable and all the required hardware, then plug the hardware into their respective sockets. Now switch on your computer. Your computer will automatically detect the hardware and configure everything accordingly.
4. Establish Connection Between The Computer And Router Or Modem
Once you have plugged in all the necessary hardware, now it is time to connect them to one another i.e. make them communicate. Communication can be achieved by making use of an Ethernet cable. To make one end of the cable connect to your computer, remove the plug from your modem or router and plug it into the wall socket. You will find a port at the back or side panel of your modem or router where you should plug in the Ethernet cable. Once you have plugged in the cable, plug in the other end of the cable into your computer.
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Ethernet Cable – Troubleshooting
If you are unable to make an Ethernet connection between various hardware like a router, modem, etc. then you can refer to this simple troubleshooting guide that might be helpful for you:
1. Check For The Availability Of The Hardware
Before you start with your connection process, make sure that all the hardware devices are present and accounted for. Make use of different ports, sockets, and jacks while comparing components like Ethernet cable, router or modem, etc. If you find out any missing pieces in your hardware set then try to get them replaced or buy new ones.
2. Make Sure That You Have A Straight Ethernet Cable
Ethernet is a common type of connection but it is not compulsory for all types of hardware to have straight cables. They might be available with curved or coiled cables these days with the same number of pins at both ends of the cable. So, make sure that you have a straight Ethernet cable because curved ones might not fit well at the ports.
3. Make Sure That You Have The Appropriate Cable Length
Another important factor that you need to consider is the length of your Ethernet cable. While some devices like routers or computers are supposed to be placed near each other, others like printers should be kept away. So, the length of your Ethernet cable should be appropriate. If you have a router, then the Ethernet cable length should be enough so that it can connect both objects.
4. Check The Condition Of Your Ethernet Cable
Check out for any damage to your Ethernet cable. Damaged cables might lead to data loss or low-speed connectivity due to various reasons. The most common ones are broken or bare wires at different points of the cable, loose connection due to broken shielding, etc.
5. Check Whether Your Hardware Is Compatible Or Not
Make sure that your Ethernet cables are compatible with all the hardware you have in front of you i.e. modem, router or computer, etc. If your hardware or Ethernet cable is not compatible with one another then it will cause problems in connections and slow down the Internet speed on your device.
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Tips On Choosing The Best Ethernet Cable
An Ethernet cable is a very important part of any hardware setup because it literally connects the hardware with one another. So, selecting the best one might be quite confusing due to various technical specifications and terms being used in them. But you do not have to worry because we are here to help you out. Here are some tips on how you should go about purchasing the best Ethernet cable:
1. Stick To The Standard
When it comes to manufacturing cables, there are various specifications that need to be followed for making a standard quality one. Choosing a non-standard type of Ethernet cable might lead to compatibility issues with your hardware setup and slow down Internet speeds. So, make sure that you follow standard specifications when it comes to buying Ethernet cables for your device.
2. Go For The Cable Suitable To Your Needs
While an Ethernet cable is used for connecting two hardware together, there are various types of cables available in the market right now. But not all of them are good enough to be used on different devices. So, you need to select a cable that is suitable for your needs and usage. For example, if you only have a router then go for a Cat 5e or Cat 6 Ethernet cable because they are most commonly used on routers.
3. Cable Brands Do Matter
When it comes to choosing the best brand of an Ethernet cable, there are various brands present in the market right now. But not all of them are good enough for usage on a regular basis. You need to choose a brand that is popular and has a good reputation in the market because it ensures quality products with better durability, performance, etc.
4. Find Out The Right Cable For Yourself
You can find out what type of cable is suitable for your needs by going through the specifications of each type online. For example, if you have a router then go for a Cat 5e or Cat 6 Ethernet cable because they are most commonly used on routers.
Tips On Testing The Best Ethernet Cable
In order to test the quality of an Ethernet cable, there are various tests that you need to perform on the cable. But the most important one is the length test because it tells you whether your Ethernet cable is strong enough or not. Here are some simple tests that you can do on an Ethernet Cable:
1. Length Test
This test is based on measuring pf resistance which gives you information about how much power loss is there in the cable. If you perform this test on an Ethernet cable then it helps you in knowing how much resistance is there in the cable and hence its ability to handle high-speed internet connections.
2. Cable Near The Router Test
This test is based on measuring voltage drop at different connection points around the router. If you perform this test then it helps you in knowing if your cable is working properly or not because there are various issues that can be present in it which leads to low Internet speeds on your device.
3. Cable Near The Computer Test
This test is based on measuring the loss of signal at different connection points around your computer. If you perform this test then it helps you in knowing if your cable is working properly or not because there are various issues that can present in it which leads to low Internet speeds on your device.
4. Open Cable Test
This is the simplest test that you can perform on an Ethernet cable. All that you need to do in order to perform this test is to open the outer part of an Ethernet cable and then match each wire with its corresponding color code. This helps you in knowing which wire goes where without any issue.
5. Cable Checker Test
This test is based on checking the cable if it’s working properly or not. In order to perform this test, you need to connect your cable with a cable checker and the light present on the cable checker should glow. If it doesn’t glow then there are chances that something is wrong with your Ethernet Cable.
Tips On Having A Speedy And Reliable Internet Connection
In order to have a speedy and reliable internet connection then you need to choose an Ethernet Cable that has the ability to provide your device with high-speed data transfer. For example, if you chose a Cat 6 cable for your device then it will be able to give you up to 10 Gbps of speed which is good enough to support all types of modern-day devices.
Ethernet cables provide a vital connection between your computer and the internet, but there are many types of Ethernet cables with different specifications. It is important to choose an appropriate type for your needs so you can have a speedy and reliable internet connection.
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