How To Make Windows Use Ethernet Over WiFi?

Table of Contents

How To Make Windows 10 and 11 Prioritize Ethernet Over WiFi?

Here’s how to make Windows use Ethernet over WiFi: by prioritizing your Ethernet connection in network adapter settings, you ensure your computer favors the faster and more stable wired connection when both are available.

You may also want to know: How Can I Block Windows 11 Updates Permanently? · How Can I Block Pop-Ups on Windows 10?

Understanding Network Prioritization in Windows

Windows operating systems are designed to connect to the internet using the best available connection. However, “best” doesn’t always mean the fastest or most stable connection. Often, Windows defaults to WiFi because it was the first connection established. Manually prioritizing Ethernet forces Windows to prefer the wired connection, which typically offers lower latency and higher bandwidth. This is crucial for tasks like online gaming, video conferencing, and large file transfers.

Why Prioritize Ethernet? Benefits and Use Cases

There are numerous reasons why you might want to prioritize Ethernet over WiFi on your Windows machine:

Improved Speed: Ethernet generally provides faster data transfer speeds than WiFi, especially in environments with congested wireless networks.
Lower Latency: Wired connections offer significantly lower latency, resulting in quicker response times, which is essential for online gaming and interactive applications.
Increased Stability: Ethernet connections are less susceptible to interference and signal drops compared to WiFi, ensuring a more stable and reliable connection.
Next question: How Do I Block a Website on Windows 10?
Reduced Security Risks: Wired networks are inherently more secure than WiFi networks, as they require physical access to connect.
Consistent Performance: Ethernet provides more consistent performance because it’s not subject to fluctuating WiFi signal strengths or interference from other devices.

The Process: Manually Prioritizing Ethernet

The core of how to make Windows use Ethernet over WiFi? lies in adjusting the adapter settings. This method leverages a feature within Windows that lets you assign a priority or “metric” value to each network adapter. A lower metric value indicates a higher priority.

Open Network Connections:
- Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box.
- Type ncpa.cpl and press Enter. This will open the Network Connections window.
Identify Your Adapters:
- Locate your Ethernet adapter and your WiFi adapter. Make a note of their names to avoid confusion.
Access Ethernet Adapter Properties:
- Right-click on your Ethernet adapter and select “Properties.”
Configure Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4):
- In the Ethernet Properties window, select “Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)” from the list and click the “Properties” button.
Access Advanced TCP/IPv4 Settings:
- In the “Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) Properties” window, click the “Advanced…” button.
Adjust the Interface Metric:
- Uncheck the “Automatic metric” box.
- In the “Interface metric” field, enter a lower number than the current metric value of your WiFi adapter. A value of “1” is a common and effective choice.
Repeat for WiFi Adapter (If Necessary):
- Repeat steps 3-6 for your WiFi adapter. If the Ethernet adapter has a metric of 1, set the WiFi adapter to a higher number, such as 10 or higher. This ensures the Ethernet adapter always takes precedence.
Restart Your Computer:
- Restart your computer for the changes to take effect.

Verifying the Ethernet Priority

After restarting, you can quickly verify if the Ethernet connection is prioritized. Disconnect your WiFi adapter and ensure that your internet connection is still active through the Ethernet adapter. You can also use the command prompt by typing ipconfig to check which adapter is currently active.

Common Mistakes and Troubleshooting

Incorrect Adapter Identification: Ensuring you are modifying the correct network adapters is critical. Double-check the adapter names to avoid assigning the wrong metrics.
Conflicting Metric Values: Avoid assigning the same metric value to both adapters. This can lead to unpredictable behavior and connection instability.
Firewall Interference: In rare cases, your firewall might be interfering with the connection. Temporarily disable your firewall to test if it’s the cause of the problem. If it is, you need to configure the firewall rules to allow Ethernet traffic.
Outdated Network Drivers: Ensure your network drivers are up to date. Outdated drivers can cause connectivity issues and prevent Windows from properly prioritizing the Ethernet connection.

Error	Solution
No Internet Access	Double-check Ethernet cable, verify IP address settings, check driver updates
Slow Speed	Check cable quality, test with different devices, examine network traffic
Frequent Disconnects	Inspect cable connections, monitor system logs, review hardware components

Alternative Methods: PowerShell Scripting

For advanced users, PowerShell provides another way to make Windows use Ethernet over WiFi?. This method involves using PowerShell commands to modify the interface metric directly.

# Get the Ethernet adapter index
$EthernetAdapter = Get-NetAdapter -Name "Ethernet" # Replace "Ethernet" with your Ethernet adapter name
$EthernetIndex = $EthernetAdapter.InterfaceIndex

# Set the Ethernet interface metric
Set-NetIPInterface -InterfaceIndex $EthernetIndex -InterfaceMetric 1

# Get the Wi-Fi adapter index
$WiFiAdapter = Get-NetAdapter -Name "Wi-Fi" # Replace "Wi-Fi" with your Wi-Fi adapter name
$WiFiIndex = $WiFiAdapter.InterfaceIndex

# Set the Wi-Fi interface metric
Set-NetIPInterface -InterfaceIndex $WiFiIndex -InterfaceMetric 10

This script retrieves the interface indexes for both the Ethernet and WiFi adapters and then sets the Ethernet metric to 1 and the WiFi metric to 10. Remember to run PowerShell as an administrator for these commands to work.

How to Make Windows Use Ethernet Over WiFi? Summary

Prioritizing Ethernet over WiFi in Windows provides significant benefits in terms of speed, stability, and security. By following these steps, you can easily ensure that your computer always uses the Ethernet connection when available. Remember to verify your settings and troubleshoot any issues that may arise.

FAQs: Prioritizing Ethernet Over WiFi

What happens if I disconnect the Ethernet cable?
If you disconnect the Ethernet cable, Windows will automatically switch to the WiFi connection, provided that WiFi is enabled and connected to a network. The system is designed to seamlessly transition to the available connection.

Can I prioritize Ethernet on a laptop that has built-in WiFi?
Yes, the process is the same for laptops as it is for desktops. You simply need to identify the correct Ethernet and WiFi adapters and adjust their metric values accordingly.

Does this method work on all versions of Windows?
The method described above is generally applicable to Windows 7, 8, 10, and 11. However, the exact steps and interface layout might vary slightly depending on the version.

How do I find the exact name of my Ethernet and WiFi adapters?
In the Network Connections window (ncpa.cpl), the adapter names are displayed clearly. You can also right-click on each adapter and select “Status” to view more details, including the adapter’s model and manufacturer.

What is the “automatic metric” option in the TCP/IPv4 settings?
The “automatic metric” option allows Windows to automatically determine the priority of the network adapters based on various factors, such as link speed and signal strength. Unchecking this option allows you to manually set the metric value.

Will prioritizing Ethernet drain my laptop’s battery faster?
Using Ethernet instead of WiFi generally consumes less power, as it doesn’t require constant signal scanning and transmission. However, the difference in battery drain is usually minimal.

How can I revert back to the default settings if I want Windows to manage the connections automatically?
To revert to the default settings, simply re-check the “Automatic metric” box in the “Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) Properties” window for both the Ethernet and WiFi adapters.

What is the optimal metric value for Ethernet?
A metric value of 1 is typically an ideal choice for the Ethernet adapter, as it ensures that it takes the highest priority. You can use higher numbers for the WiFi adapter, such as 10 or more.

Will prioritizing Ethernet affect other devices on my network?
No, prioritizing Ethernet on your computer will only affect the connection on that specific device. It will not impact the network connections of other devices on your network.

Does prioritizing Ethernet guarantee a faster internet connection?
Prioritizing Ethernet improves the chances of a faster connection when both Ethernet and WiFi are available. However, the actual speed also depends on your internet service provider, network infrastructure, and other factors.

What if I only have one network adapter listed?
If you only see one network adapter listed, it means that either your Ethernet adapter is not properly installed or that you are not currently connected to an Ethernet network.

Is there a way to automate this process?
Yes, you can create a batch script or use Group Policy (for domain-joined computers) to automate the process of setting the interface metrics. This can be useful for deploying the settings to multiple computers simultaneously.