How to Overcome Ethernet Connections Limited to 100 Mbps

Do you feel that your internet connection is slow even though you are using an Ethernet cable that should be able to reach speeds of up to 1 Gbps? Do you see that your connection status only shows 100 Mbps when your device supports gigabit Ethernet? If yes, then you might run into the same problem as many other users who complain about their Ethernet connection being limited to 100 Mbps.

Several factors can cause your Ethernet connection not to reach its maximum speed, such as cable quality, connector type, hardware settings, drivers, and others. In this article, we will discuss some ways to solve this problem and improve the speed of your Ethernet connection.

Check the Quality and Type of Your Ethernet Cable

One of the first things you should do is check the quality and type of Ethernet cable you are using. There are Ethernet cables that vary in terms of specifications, performance, and maximum length. Several types of Ethernet cables are commonly used, namely:

• Cat 5: This cable can reach speeds of up to 100 Mbps with a maximum length of 100 meters. This cable is rarely used because it is outdated.
• Cat 5e: This cable is an upgraded version of Cat 5 that can reach speeds of up to 1 Gbps with a maximum length of 100 meters. This cable is one of the most popular and inexpensive.
• Cat 6: This cable can reach speeds of up to 10 Gbps with a maximum length of 55 meters or 1 Gbps with a maximum length of 100 meters. These cables are of better quality and more interference-resistant.
• Cat 6a: This cable is an upgraded version of Cat 6 that can reach speeds of up to 10 Gbps with a maximum length of 100 meters. This cable has an additional layer that protects against interference.

To find out the type of Ethernet cable you use, you can see the label listed on the cable itself. Usually, the label will indicate the type of cable, for example, Cat 5e or Cat 6. If the label is missing or unclear, you can try measuring the diameter of the cable. Cat 6 and Cat 6a cables usually have a larger diameter than Cat 5e cables.

If you use an Ethernet cable that doesn’t match the speed you want, you can try replacing the cable with a better cable. For example, if you want to achieve speeds of 1 Gbps, you can use a Cat 5e or Cat 6 cable. If you want to reach speeds of 10 Gbps, you can use a Cat 6 or Cat 6a cable.

In addition, you should also check the quality of the Ethernet cable you are using. Damaged, bent, or cut Ethernet cables can cause connection speeds to decrease or even not work at all. You can try replacing the Ethernet cable that you suspect has a problem with a new or tested cable.

Check Your Ethernet Connector Type and Quality

In addition to the cable, you should also check the type and quality of the Ethernet connector you are using. An Ethernet connector is a part that connects an Ethernet cable to a device, such as a router, switch, or computer. A commonly used Ethernet connector is RJ45, which has eight pins connected by eight wires inside the Ethernet cable.

The type of Ethernet connector you use should match the type of Ethernet cable you are using. For example, if you’re using a Cat 6 or Cat 6a cable, you should use an RJ45 connector that supports speeds of 10 Gbps. If you’re using a Cat 5e cable, you can use an RJ45 connector that supports speeds of 1 Gbps.

You can find out what type of Ethernet connector you are using by looking at the label listed on the connector itself. Typically, the label will indicate the type of connector, such as RJ45 or RJ45 10G. If the label is missing or unclear, you can try measuring the connector width. RJ45 10G connectors usually have a larger width than regular RJ45 connectors.

If you use an Ethernet connector that doesn’t match the speed you want, you can try replacing that connector with a better connector. For example, if you want to achieve speeds of 10 Gbps, you can use the RJ45 10G connector. If you want to achieve a speed of 1 Gbps, you can use a regular RJ45 connector.

In addition, you should also check the quality of the Ethernet connector you are using. Damaged, dirty, or loose Ethernet connectors can cause connection speeds to drop or even not work at all. You can try cleaning the Ethernet connector you suspect has a problem with a soft cloth or alcohol. You can also try tightening the Ethernet connector that you suspect is loose by pressing it until you hear a click.

Check Your Ethernet Hardware and Driver Settings

Once you’ve made sure that your Ethernet cables and connectors are fine, you can proceed with checking your Ethernet hardware and driver settings. The hardware and drivers Ethernet are the parts that govern the communication between the Ethernet cable and your computer. Incompatible or out-of-date hardware and drivers Ethernet can cause connection speeds to drop or even not work at all.

To check your Ethernet hardware settings, you can follow these steps:

• Open the Control Panel on your computer.
• Select Network and Internet.
• Select Network and Sharing Center.
• Select Change adapter settings on the left side of the window.
• Right-click on the Ethernet icon you are using and select Properties.
• Click on the Configure under the Networking tab.
• Select the Advanced tab.
• Look for options named Speed & Duplex or Link Speed & Duplex or similar.
• Change the value of the option to 1.0 Gbps Full Duplex or 10.0 Gbps Full Duplex or similar, depending on the speed you want.
• Click OK to save the settings.

To check your Ethernet driver, you can follow these steps:

• Open Device Manager on your computer.
• Find and double-click on Network adapters.
• Find and right-click on the Ethernet device you are using and select Properties.
• Select the Driver tab.
• See the driver version listed under Driver Version.
• Compare that driver version with the latest driver version available on your Ethernet device manufacturer’s website.
• If your driver version is older than the latest driver version, you can download and install the latest driver version from your Ethernet device manufacturer’s website.
• If your driver version is the same or newer than the latest driver version, you can try removing and reinstalling your driver by selecting Uninstall device and then Scan for hardware changes in Device Manager.

Once you’ve done your Ethernet hardware and driver settings, you can try testing your Ethernet connection speed by using tools like Speedtest or Fast. If your Ethernet connection speed is what you want, then you have successfully solved this problem. If not, you can try the following methods.

Check Other Network Devices Connected to Your Ethernet Cable

In addition to your computer, you should also check other network devices that your Ethernet cable is connected to, such as routers, switches, or modems. These network devices must also support your desired Ethernet speed, otherwise, they could be a limiting factor for your Ethernet connection speed.

To check which other network devices your Ethernet cable is connected to, you can follow these steps:

• See the specifications of the network device you’re using, such as a router, switch, or modem. You can see these specifications in the manual, box, or website of the manufacturer of the network device.
• Find information about the Ethernet speeds supported by that network device. Usually, the information will be listed under the name or model of the network device, for example, Gigabit Router or 10/100/1000 Mbps Switch.
• Compare the Ethernet speed supported by that network device with the Ethernet speed you want. If the Ethernet speed supported by the network device is lower than the Ethernet speed you want, you can try replacing the network device with a better network device.

If you replace the network device connected to your Ethernet cable, you must also make sure that the settings of the network device are in accordance with the Ethernet speed you want. You can follow the instructions provided by the manufacturer of the network device to make these settings.

Check the Internet Service You’re Using

Lastly, you should also check the internet service you are using. The internet service you use must also support your desired Ethernet speed, otherwise, they could be a limiting factor to the speed of your Ethernet connection.

To check which internet service you’re using, you can follow these steps:

• See which internet service plan you’re subscribed to, such as name, price, or speed. You can see the internet service plan on your bill, email, or your internet service provider’s website.
• Find information about the internet speed supported by the internet service plan. Usually, the information will be listed under the name or price of the internet service package, for example, 50 Mbps or 100 Mbps.
• Compare the internet speed supported by the internet service plan with the Ethernet speed you want. If the internet speed supported by the internet service package is lower than the Ethernet speed you want, you can try replacing the internet service package with a better internet service package.

If you change the internet service package that you subscribe to, you also have to make sure that your internet service provider has provided services according to the package you choose. You can contact your internet service provider for confirmation or assistance in this regard.

Conclusion

An Ethernet connection limited to 100 Mbps can be an annoying problem for those of you who want to enjoy higher internet speeds. There are several ways to solve this problem, such as:

• Check the quality and type of cable Ethernet you.
• Check the type and quality of your Ethernet connector.
• Check your Ethernet hardware and driver settings.
• Check other network devices connected by your Ethernet cable.
• Check the internet service you’re using.

By doing the methods above, you can increase the speed of your Ethernet connection and enjoy faster and more stable internet. Hope you find this article useful. Thanks for reading.