Wireless routers have become a necessity in every household in today’s day and age. That said, connecting the router with the modem through a wired connection provides a stable and consistent network connection and speed. If you want to learn how to connect Ethernet cable to a wireless router simply and efficiently, we suggest reading our article.
How to Connect Ethernet Cable to a Wireless Router
To establish a connection to a wireless router to an Ethernet cable, you will need two Ethernet cables. The first one is to connect the modem to the router, and the other is to connect the router to your PC. If your device doesn’t have a port for such a cable, you will need to get a USB adapter.
Connecting the Ethernet Cable to a Wireless Router
To establish an Internet connection, you need to connect one end of the Ethernet cable to the port at the back of your modem. Then, you will need to connect the other end to the WAN port on the back of your router.
Routers come in different models, each with several LAN ports. Hence, plug the end of the second Ethernet cable into one of the LAN ports and the other end into the LAN port on your device.
Internet connection
Once you complete this process, you can open your PC to check whether you are connected to the Internet. However, if you are connecting the devices for the first time, you will need to connect to the Internet manually. To do so, follow the following instructions:
- Click on the Wi-Fi icon on your computer.
- Then, click on Network and Internet Settings.
- When the window opens, find Change Adapter Settings and click on it.
- Next, right-click on the Ethernet and select enable/connect.
More about the connection process
If you are still wondering how to connect Ethernet cable to a wireless router, let’s discuss the process in detail. To be able to establish an Internet connection, your modem must be plugged into a power outlet and powered on. Hence, the first step is to connect your router to the modem before you connect the router to your device.
The connection between the router and the modem is established through an Ethernet cable. The routers have several different ports, but there is only one WAN port that has a different color and is located away from the other ports. You must plug the Ethernet cable from the modem into this specific port on your router.
Additional steps
Once you connect the modem to your router, the following step is to connect your wireless router to your computer. That is done by plugging in one end of the Ethernet port in the LAN port of your router. Then, plug the other end in the Ethernet port on your computer. Some routers also have USB ports, but they are only used for adding shared devices such as external hard drives, printers, NAS (Network Attached Storage Devices), and others.
Types of Ethernet cables
A critical thing to mention is that there are several Ethernet cables you need to be aware of, known as Ethernet, Telephone, and Coaxial cables. The first is used to connect your devices to the Internet, whereas the second is used to connect the telephone to the landline. However, Telephone cables also work if you have dial-up Internet and DSL. The coaxial cables are the same as those used for cable TV, which cables are used to connect your modem to the Internet.
Read more: How Many Devices Can a Router Handle
What Are the Main Benefits of a Wired Connection?
A wired connection provides plenty of advantages as opposed to a wireless connection. One of the main benefits of such a connection is increased bandwidth. Additionally, a wired connection makes the Internet stable, provides better network security, and reduces any vulnerabilities that hackers can take advantage of.
With a wireless connection, you can use as fast Internet as the cable modem enables. You also don’t have any restrictions regarding the number of devices you can connect to the router. Such connection offers minimal lags and fewer Internet drop-offs.
A wired connection is also recommended if you want to browse the Internet or work online without any issues. If you are gaming professionally and you often join a competitive play, a wired connection is a way to go, and the same goes if you are streaming movies or TV shows online.
When to Connect the Ethernet Cable to a Wireless Router?
Even though many people nowadays prefer wireless connections as they bring a lot of conveniences, connecting the Ethernet cable to a wireless router is necessary for a stable network.
Such connection is essential if you need minimal latency, especially if you are working online, streaming, joining an online conference, or gaming. Moreover, such a connection is recommended if you want maximum Internet speed without any obstacles between the devices.
More information
A wired connection is also handy when you don’t have access to a Wi-Fi connection or when your router is damaged or has a software malfunction. Also, a connection with an Ethernet cable is a much safer option than a wireless connection, so you can use the Internet without worrying about safety.
An Ethernet cable can also help you troubleshoot and repair issues with the Internet connection. It is also beneficial if you would like to run an Internet speed test to see whether the Internet you receive works with your needs and preferences.
Conclusion
If your concern was how to connect Ethernet cable to a wireless router when you purchased the necessary devices, we hope you were able to find the answer in our article.
The connection process is simple and fast, and the benefits you will receive are plentiful. Connecting the Ethernet cable with a wireless router is a must if you would want a stable and fast Internet connection with minimum interruptions.