Today, most people tend to prefer using Wi-Fi as their primary means of connecting to the internet while at home. And there is nothing wrong with that since Wi-Fi is fast, but most importantly, it is convenient. However, it is still clear that connecting to the internet via an Ethernet connection is still the best method. If you want reliable speeds that range from 100Mbps to 1Gbps, then an Ethernet connection is your best bet, no matter what anyone says. Now, there are times when those with a Gigabit fiber connection are unable to get the 1Gbps speed they pay for since the Ethernet cable internet speed is capped at 100Mbps.
Ethernet connection speed capped at 100 Mbps
If you find that your Ethernet connection speeds are capped at 100Mbps, then the following suggestions may help you:
- Issues with the Ethernet cable
- Inferior router and Ethernet adapter
- Configure the Speed and Duplex settings
- Contact your Internet Service Provider
1] Issues with the Ethernet cable
Whenever there are problems with an internet connection via an Ethernet connection, then in most cases, the issue lies with the cable itself. At no point should a 1Gbps connection should be limited to a mere 100Mbps.
So, we suggest checking to see if you’re using the correct cable. You see, to facilitate a 1Gbps connection, you will need a Cat5e Ethernet cable or a Cat6 which supports speeds of up to 10Gbps. Any cable that is lower will not be able to deliver the desired speeds, so always bear that in mind.
Additionally, it is possible your cable is defective in more ways than one. For example, maybe it is old or the fiber inside is broken. If you have a spare cable laying around, then you can use it to test if the current one is the problem.
Also, if you have a hub that is connected to a router, please ensure all Ethernet cables are of the same variety, and that all are in good condition. If even a single one fails, then it alone can affect your overall connection and reduce the maximum speed.
2] Inferior router and Ethernet adapter
If you are using an older router, there is a chance it might not support 1Gbps connection and is capped at 100Mbps instead. This is not an issue for modern routers, so we believe you should invest in a new router in a bid to solve the problem once and for all.
Routers today are not expensive, so if you’re not sure of which one to acquire, then how about the Linksys WiFi 5 Router, Dual-Band? It’s affordable and is capable of supporting connections of up to 1.2Gbps, more than what you actually need.
Now, in terms of the Ethernet adapter built into your computer, not all are Gigabit capable. So, if yours isn’t, what to do? Well, you can invest in a cheap Ethernet adapter that supports a Gigabit connection that plugs directly into your computer’s USB port.
3] Configure the Speed and Duplex settings
Here’s the thing, Windows 11/10 comes with a feature known as Speed & Duplex. With this feature, the user can determine the speed of the Ethernet port. So, what if these settings experienced changes at some point? Let us discuss how to solve this.
- Click on the Search icon located on the Task Bar.
- Next, type Device Manager into the search box.
- From the Device Manager window, go to Network Adapters.
- Expand the Network Adapters section and right-click on the Ethernet adapter.
- Select the Properties option via the context menu.
- When a new window appears, please click on the Advanced tab.
- Look to the Property section and select Speed & Duplex from the list.
- Go to the dropdown menu under Value and select the appropriate speed.
4] Contact your Internet Service Provider
If everything above fails, then you should consider contacting your Internet Service Provider directly to find out if the problem is from their end instead of yours. If it is the fault of the ISP, then you’ll have to wait until they’ve performed a fix before you can go online again.
READ: How to automatically turn off Wi-Fi when Ethernet cable is plugged in
Why is my router limited to 100Mbps?
This is a common occurrence for those who regularly use a WiFi router for an internet connection. You see, problems can be caused if the cat5e cable is stepped on often, if a chair rolls over it, or if it gets caught in a door, among other things.
How do I get more than 100Mbps on Ethernet?
If you want to enable 1Gbps on your Ethernet connection, then navigate to Device Manager, and from there, right-click on the Ethernet driver and select Properties. Now, from the Advanced tab area, please choose Speed & Duplex, then determine the speed you want via the Value area.
