Ethernet is usually superior to WiFi, but one metric it falls short in is durability. As more physical components are involved, Ethernet is much more prone to hardware-related issues.
When an Ethernet cord stops working, the cause can be hard to figure out at first. It could be physical damage on some part of the cord or perhaps one of the ports. Or there could also be some issue with your network configurations.
In this article, we’ve listed step-by-step instructions to figure out the culprit in your case and troubleshoot it accordingly.
Why Is the Ethernet Cord Not Working?
How to Fix the Ethernet Cord Not Working?
The first step to troubleshooting is figuring out where the problem actually lies. When you connect the Ethernet to the ports on your PC, router, or switch, the appropriate LEDs should light up. In this case, there’s likely some software issue that’s causing yourEthernet connection to fail, giving an incorrect impression of cable failure.
Alternatively, if the lights don’t turn on, that indicates physical damage with the cord itself. By distinguishingwhether it’s a hardware or software issue, you may apply the appropriate solutions from the sections below.
Finally, when dealing with network issues,giving the router a quick restartis always a good idea. Doing so clears the router cache and resets the active sessions, which often is all that’s needed to resolve the issue.
Check the Integrity Of Cable
Ethernet cables generally have a lifespan of around 5 – 7 years. Even before this point, it’s not uncommon for the cord to be physically damaged and stop working.
The best way to verify if the cord itself is the issue is with a network cable tester. Most people won’t have this on hand, in which case, you may take a few simpler but effective steps.
First, verify if theLEDs light upwhen connecting the Ethernet cable to the PC or router. If they don’t, the cord is likely physically damaged. Look for anysharp bends or tears. It’s possible that the cord may be damaged internally at such points. In case of minor damage, you may be able to repair the cord. But generally speaking, it will need replacement.
Second, the RJ-45 connector could be the issue too. If you see bent pins on the connector, you could attempt to straighten them. Alternatively, you could trim the cord and install a new RJ-45 plug as well.
When installing the RJ-45 connectors, ensure the all the wires make proper contact with the gold pads. Additionally, also ensure that you’re using thesame wiring pattern on both endsas shown below:
It’s also possible that it’s not the cord or the connector that’s the issue but the port instead. The ports can stop working due to dust/debris on the contact points or due to damaged components such as bent pins.
