Why Is My Wired Connection Slower Than Wi-Fi? [Problem Solved]

Wired connections are popularly regarded as the fastest networking technology, but this isn’t always true. Wi-Fi has mostly outlasted the internet speed as it uses radio wave signals to transfer information.

Here you can ask why my wired connection is slower than wifi.

There are as many as 12 reasons behind the problem. This includes bad ports, damaged cables, electromagnetic interferences, viruses, outdated devices, ISP/VPN issues, and many more. The solutions are simple where certain repairs or replacements are necessary. You will mostly need technical assistance to solve any of these issues.

Let’s dive deeper then, keep reading for more insights!

12 Reasons Why Wired Connection Is Slower Than Wi-Fi

Wired connections are not slower than Wi-FI because the technology is outdated. It is because there may be some issues appearing in the connectivity areas and there are 12 different reasons for it. Let’s find out!

Reason 1: Bad Ports

Ports are those spaces where all the cables connect to the internet devices such as routers. This lets the internet flow happen for you and when any of the ports in the system go faulty, a wired connection is going to be slow.

Your internet device such as the modem may enter a period at an age where the ports may stop functioning altogether. If one port is the problem, there are other ports to work on. However, if all ports are not working, the whole modem is out of work.

Solution: Replace the Modem

Replacing the modem as soon as possible is important or else it may hurt the entire system including the cables and its connectors. All you have to do is simply replace the modem, buy a fresh new one, and see how the wired connection is back on the best action!

Reason 2: Damaged Cables

Cables getting damaged is a common scenario that makes any wired connection go slow or completely dead. It all depends on the types of cables being used where good quality ones are known to last for a long time.

But, if such is not the case, an old cable may stop functioning properly by not letting the transfer of data happen. This is at a speed that you want to happen in a smooth way, closer to the fast speed of Wi-Fi.

Negligence or lack of maintenance can cause the issue. It is possible that for many years, you haven’t cleaned any dirt or debris that piled up around the cable and its connectors. This results in the cable being damaged sooner than its expected longevity terms.

Solution: Replace the Cables

The simple solution is to replace the damaged cables, there are no other options for it! Always make sure you get a good quality one so that the physical properties of the cables are not hurt by external influences such as moisture or dirt.

Reason 3: Failure in the Operating System

Your operating system may have not been updated for a long time. It can be so that the latest software you are using on your device is asking too much from the system. This usually jams the connectivity areas resulting in slow internet.

Sometimes a simple restart or reboot can solve the problem. However, if it doesn’t solve the issue, first check with other computers or smartphones to see if the same problem is happening. If the problem persists, there are other issues to look at, if not, then we are on track to solving this the right way.

Solution: Install Updates

All you have to do is install all the updates necessary to cope with the rising demands of complex data. Install the most updated operating system on your computer and see how everything starts happening smoothly, including a faster-wired internet connection.

Reason 4: Depreciating Hardware

We have talked about modems and routers that go faulty over time, but in a broader sense, there is more! Any hardware in the computer system and the internet cable connection system can go faulty over time. This results in the slow speed of a wired internet connection.

Basically, the physical makeup of this hardware has stopped functioning the right way and data transfers are not smooth enough. It is a good idea to consult with any technician to determine the root cause of the problem and it doesn’t take much time.

Solution: Get New Hardware

Repairs can be a simple and cost-friendly solution but it isn’t a permanent solution. It is a good idea to replace and install new hardware so that the problem doesn’t arise again. For example, if your laptop is the root cause and simple repairs don’t usually work, buy a new one!

Reason 5: Electromagnetic Interference

It would be wrong to say that electromagnetic interferences hurt the Wi-Fi system only, it affects the cabled connections also. Mostly if you have home appliances such as microwaves, radios, fluorescent lights, and similar stuff around, it can cause internet speed troubles.

It happens mostly when your router is too close to any of these appliances. It is affecting the router’s ability to connect data and transfer it in a smooth and speedy manner.

Solution: Adjust the Router Placement

It is usually advisable to place your router and the connected cables at least 10 feet away from these devices. If your room is cluttered with stuff all around, it would require a bit of work on your part.

Taking some time to re-arrange items and place them appropriately within distance is going to solve the problem.

Reason 6: Viruses

Viruses and malware can not only infect your operating system and the entire computer, but they can also slow down the internet. Sometimes, even with the best anti-viruses present, viruses may enter the system.

All tech gurus will tell you to always constantly improve in your anti-virus updates, but it can be difficult to stay on track. Any bad transmission happening from any place online will spread its wings to slow down internet connectivity.

Solution: Eliminate the Viruses

The simple solution is to get rid of all the viruses in the system. If you are not comfortable doing it by yourself, let the tech guys do it for you. They do this every day and the problem will be resolved in no time.

Consult these guys on the best anti-virus software to be used. This is so that these viruses do not infect anymore or you are able to remove them easily from time to time.

Reason 7: Bad Connectors

Connectors are the most important elements of the wired networking system. These tiny lining fragments are responsible to let the cables transfer the electric energy to the devices. A simple issue with these connectors will result in slow or no internet at all.

The connectors are easily prone to dirt that are difficult to take off. And they can get broken over time as well, resulting in a total default.

Sometimes many may think, the cables are a fault where the main problem can be found on the connectors. So, be sure to check correctly with the help of technicians so that the right solution is reached.

Solution: Replace Bad Connectors

If only the connectors are causing the trouble, you don’t have to replace any cables and this saves a lot of costs. Just buy new and fresh connectors and had them implanted into the system and the internet will be back at its full speed.

Reason 8: Problems with ISP

Internet service providers usually face various problems while delivering their services to customers. In many instances due to regular upgrades or other problems in hardware, the ISP network may be jammed.

This means, slow internet in the wired system is not due to anything happening around you but the ISP is the main concern. You have to call the internet service provider right away to let them know the problem you are facing.

Solution: Call Tech Support

The tech support team can be provided by the ISP or you can hire a more trusted one to resolve the issue. In this case, you really don’t have to look over any issues that surround you. The tech guys will perhaps rewire the whole system from the central hub and the internet will come back at its full speed.

Reason 9: VPN Issues

If you are using a VPN most of the time, your internet connection, mainly if it is wired can go slow. This is because the VPN is cluttering up a few data when it’s changing your IP address. This can make data transfer slow over time.

VPN takes up extra bandwidth to provide you with the service you are expecting from it. This is mostly associated with data security and for this reason, the additional bandwidth slows down the internet.

Solution: Disable the VPN

You are advised not to use VPN at all times and it is go over some time with no VPN to test how you are internet speed is working. There are other software and tools available also for the same security purposes. You can run those so that your internet speed is not impacted.

Reason 10: Misconfigured Router

Router misconfiguration is quite common, and this happened when you are constantly updating software. Or perhaps you have installed new hardware around and the router is not configured with what the new hardware demands.

A simple reboot of the router may not solve the problem, you have to ensure that the router has the capacity to deal with the demands.

Solution: Reset the Router

Reset the whole configuration of the router and run it along with some other devices to see how compatible it is. You may want to reboot the router from time to time to ensure it’s working at its best. This will definitely keep your wired internet system running fast.

Reason 11: Firmware Issues

Firmware is usually needed to be updated from time to time. This is mainly associated with the routing software that gets updated every now and then. If these are not happening at the right time or the within the required periods, the internet can go slow.

No update will mean the outdated software are not able to let the flow of connectivity at the desired rates. The operating system will get impacted by this and it is good to act fast on the solution.

Solution: Update Drivers

All you have to do is update the drivers regularly. This is so that the latest software is in check and working efficiently to deliver that internet connectivity. If you can’t do it by yourself, always seek assistance from a pro!

Reason 12: Outdated NIC Adapter

Just like connectors, a NIC adapter is also very important to ensure speedy and smooth connectivity. If this adapter goes old, the outdated one will not work the way it has before, resulting in a slowed-down internet.

NIC adapters are usually limited by their speed when it’s working with a wired connection. Due to all the extended features, Wi-Fi outruns the process being much faster than any wired internet connection.

Solution: Replace the NIC Adapter

Either way, if you are looking for faster speed with the wired connection, replace the NIC adapter. New adapters can do a better job than the old ones, but you may not be able to outrun the Wi-Fi speed with this.

Conclusion

The 12 reasons and solutions outlined may help you start fresh and new with a speedy internet connection. As mentioned, wired internet may not have to be slower than Wi-Fi at all times. Most of cases, many people find it more convenient to be using cabled connections rather than wireless ones.

Hopefully, we have been able to help solve the issue you are facing. It is time for us to go, bye for now!

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Author

Alex Parker

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