Everyone of us has had one of those days where our WiFi isn’t working properly and it gets up to a point of frustration. Maybe your internet speed is slow, or your signal strength isn’t up to its full potential. This has disrupted countless online meetings, calls, streaming services and social media etc. You might wonder what the solution is for such a commonly arising problem. Well, it’s quite simple having a wired connection! But wait, isn’t that the old school method our ancestors used when the internet started off? You got that right! Sometimes the simplest of methods proves to be fruitful. Now you might wonder how a common non-tech-savvy person is supposed to operate a wired internet connection? You don’t have to worry about it as you stumbled across the right page! Today we will give you a detailed guide on how to connect router to computer as well as connecting router to PC to give you that fast wired internet speeds you’ve been yearning for!
First of all, why go for the wired connection?
It’s an obvious question. Why would you forego the comfort of connecting wirelessly and bother with sitting near your router with a plugged PC/Laptop? The answer is simple. You do this to get the best out of your broadband internet connection. The wired connection has many benefits like:
- Higher speeds as the wired connection is plugged into your system only.
- More stability for the same reason unlike WiFi which keeps dropping signals etc.
- Extra security as it prevents hacks and unauthorized access to your data which is possible over a WiFi connection.
What do you need to get started?
For connecting router to PC, you will require the following equipment:
- Ethernet Cable
- Router
- PC/Laptop
Ethernet Cable
This is the cable that’s required for your wired internet connection to work with your PC. You will find many types of cables. Be sure to select a better quality cable to get the most out of your connection in terms of speed and reliability. Also, make sure you purchase the right length cable depending upon where your router and PC would be placed during their usage. There are multiple categories of an ethernet cable, but a Cat5e or Cat6e will be a good choice for most home users.
Router
A router with designated ethernet ports is required as well. Again, these come in multiple sizes and variations. Choose the router which best fits your budget and needs. For a home based wired connection, a router should be able to handle the data speeds which your ISP is providing.
PC/Laptop
You need a computer system to plug the wired connection. Almost all of the PCs and laptops have a designated ethernet port. In case your model does not come with one, you can purchase an adapter that will act as a connector between your computer and the ethernet cable and you’re good to go!
How to set up the connection?
Now that you have all the listed equipment at hand, you need to follow the simple steps mentioned below for connecting router to PC:
- Plug in your ethernet cable on the back of your router where the ethernet ports are located.
- Plug in the other end of the ethernet cable to your PC/Laptop.
- Make sure you hear a click sound as you push the ethernet cable in the port which ensures it is securely attached inside.
Usually the computer detects the ethernet connection automatically and you can start using it as soon as you plug in the ethernet cable. However there might be times when it might not connect or function properly. You can simply open up the settings of your computer and go to the network and internet settings where you will find the ethernet option. From there you can enable it or troubleshoot it so it starts to configure itself.
What to do next?
Now that you have finally completed the setup, it’s time to check whether the wired connection is working properly or not. You need to look out for the following things:
- Internet Speed Test: You can search any online free speed test websites and run it. It will give you detailed statistics of your internet speed within a short while.
- Stability of network: You can easily check this by surfing the web, playing videos and downloading some stuff.
Both of these things will help you figure out whether your wired connection is running up to the mark or not.
Some common problems and their solutions
If your internet isn’t working properly, you might need to check out where the fault lies. You can do a self check by doing the below mentioned methods:
- Check whether the ethernet cable is securely connected to both the router and the computer
- Try restarting both devices after you plug the ethernet cable
- Make sure your computer’s network adaptor is functioning.
Usually these steps might do the trick. If your wired internet speed is still slow, then consider the following things:
- Check your ethernet cable quality and if there is any damage to it. Having a good quality cable is the key to running a fast internet connection.
- Try shifting the ethernet cable to other ethernet ports given at the back of your router.
- Update your router and computer software.
- Turn off your PC’s WiFi connection
All of these steps will ensure you have a smooth wired connection running in no time!
Conclusion
Having a wired internet connection has its share of benefits. Now that you finally know how to connect router to computer and get your fast wired internet working, you can enjoy uninterrupted access to online gaming, video conferencing, social media, content consumption and much more! If at any place your internet doesn’t work, you can contact your internet service provider and ask for their guidance. Even if you prefer using WiFi on a daily basis, it’s good to have a know-how about the wired connection just in case you need it anytime. We hope that you enjoy your fast wired internet without any problems. Happy surfing!
