In today’s digital age, a stable and fast internet connection is crucial for productivity, entertainment, and communication. While WiFi has made it convenient to connect to the internet from anywhere, Ethernet connections offer a more reliable and faster alternative. If you’re using a Windows 10 device, you might want to prioritize Ethernet over WiFi to ensure a seamless online experience. In this article, we’ll explore the benefits of prioritizing Ethernet and provide a step-by-step guide on how to do it.
Why Prioritize Ethernet Over WiFi?
Before we dive into the process, let’s understand why prioritizing Ethernet is a good idea. Here are a few reasons:
- Faster Speeds: Ethernet connections offer faster speeds compared to WiFi, especially if you’re using a Gigabit Ethernet connection. This is because Ethernet connections don’t have to deal with interference from other devices, which can slow down WiFi speeds.
- Reliability: Ethernet connections are more reliable than WiFi connections, which can be affected by physical barriers, interference from other devices, and network congestion.
- Security: Ethernet connections are more secure than WiFi connections, as they’re less vulnerable to hacking and eavesdropping.
How to Prioritize Ethernet Over WiFi in Windows 10
Prioritizing Ethernet over WiFi in Windows 10 is a straightforward process that involves changing the network adapter settings. Here’s a step-by-step guide:
Method 1: Using the Network and Sharing Center
- Go to the Network and Sharing Center by clicking on the WiFi icon in the system tray and selecting Open Network and Sharing Center.
- Click on Change adapter settings.
- Right-click on the Ethernet connection and select Properties.
- In the Properties window, click on the Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) or Internet Protocol Version 6 (TCP/IPv6) and click on the Properties button.
- In the Properties window, select the Advanced button.
- In the Advanced TCP/IP Settings window, select the IP Settings tab.
- Uncheck the box next to Automatic metric and enter a value of 1 in the Interface metric field.
- Click OK to save the changes.
Method 2: Using the Command Prompt
- Open the Command Prompt as an administrator by right-clicking on the Start button and selecting Command Prompt (Admin).
- Type the following command to set the metric value for the Ethernet connection:
netsh int ip set interface "Ethernet" metric=1 - Press Enter to execute the command.
Method 3: Using PowerShell
- Open PowerShell as an administrator by right-clicking on the Start button and selecting Windows PowerShell (Admin).
- Type the following command to set the metric value for the Ethernet connection:
Get-NetIPInterface -InterfaceAlias "Ethernet" | Set-NetIPInterface -InterfaceMetric 1 - Press Enter to execute the command.
Verifying the Changes
After making the changes, you can verify that the Ethernet connection is prioritized over WiFi by following these steps:
- Go to the Network and Sharing Center by clicking on the WiFi icon in the system tray and selecting Open Network and Sharing Center.
- Click on Change adapter settings.
- Right-click on the Ethernet connection and select Status.
- In the Status window, click on the Details button.
- In the Network Connection Details window, look for the Interface metric value. It should be set to 1.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
If you encounter any issues after prioritizing Ethernet over WiFi, here are some troubleshooting steps you can follow:
Issue 1: Ethernet Connection Not Prioritized
- Check if the metric value is set correctly by following the steps in the Verifying the Changes section.
- Restart your device and check if the Ethernet connection is prioritized.
Issue 2: WiFi Connection Not Working
- Check if the WiFi adapter is enabled by going to the Network and Sharing Center and clicking on Change adapter settings.
- Right-click on the WiFi connection and select Enable.
Issue 3: Ethernet Connection Not Working
- Check if the Ethernet cable is connected properly to the device and the router.
- Restart your device and check if the Ethernet connection is working.
Conclusion
Prioritizing Ethernet over WiFi in Windows 10 is a simple process that can improve your online experience. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can ensure that your Ethernet connection is prioritized over WiFi, providing you with faster speeds, reliability, and security. Remember to verify the changes and troubleshoot any common issues that may arise.
What is the purpose of prioritizing Ethernet over WiFi in Windows 10?
Prioritizing Ethernet over WiFi in Windows 10 allows you to take control of your network and ensure that your computer uses the most stable and reliable connection available. This is particularly useful in environments where both Ethernet and WiFi connections are available, and you want to ensure that your computer uses the Ethernet connection for critical tasks.
By prioritizing Ethernet over WiFi, you can improve the overall performance and reliability of your network connection. This can be especially important for applications that require low latency and high bandwidth, such as video conferencing, online gaming, and file transfers.
How do I prioritize Ethernet over WiFi in Windows 10?
To prioritize Ethernet over WiFi in Windows 10, you need to change the network adapter settings. You can do this by going to the Network and Sharing Center, clicking on “Change adapter settings,” and then selecting the Ethernet adapter. From there, you can click on “Properties” and then select “Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)” or “Internet Protocol Version 6 (TCP/IPv6)”.
Once you have selected the Internet Protocol version, you can click on the “Advanced” button and then select the “Automatic metric” checkbox. This will allow Windows to automatically assign a metric to the Ethernet adapter, which will give it priority over the WiFi adapter. You can also manually set the metric to a lower value to ensure that the Ethernet adapter is always prioritized.
What is the difference between a metric and a priority in network adapter settings?
In network adapter settings, a metric and a priority are related but distinct concepts. A metric is a value that is assigned to a network adapter to determine its priority. The lower the metric value, the higher the priority. A priority, on the other hand, is a more general term that refers to the order in which network adapters are used.
In Windows 10, you can set the metric value for each network adapter to determine its priority. By setting a lower metric value for the Ethernet adapter, you can ensure that it is always prioritized over the WiFi adapter. This can be useful in environments where you want to ensure that your computer uses the most reliable connection available.
Can I prioritize Ethernet over WiFi in Windows 10 using the Settings app?
Yes, you can prioritize Ethernet over WiFi in Windows 10 using the Settings app. To do this, go to the Settings app, click on “Network & Internet,” and then select “Status.” From there, you can click on “Change adapter options” and then select the Ethernet adapter.
Once you have selected the Ethernet adapter, you can click on “Properties” and then select “Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)” or “Internet Protocol Version 6 (TCP/IPv6)”. From there, you can click on the “Advanced” button and then select the “Automatic metric” checkbox. This will allow Windows to automatically assign a metric to the Ethernet adapter, which will give it priority over the WiFi adapter.
Will prioritizing Ethernet over WiFi affect my internet speed?
Prioritizing Ethernet over WiFi in Windows 10 should not affect your internet speed. The metric value that you assign to the Ethernet adapter only determines the order in which network adapters are used, not the speed of the connection.
However, if you are using a WiFi connection that is slower than your Ethernet connection, prioritizing Ethernet over WiFi may result in faster internet speeds. This is because the Ethernet connection is typically faster and more reliable than WiFi.
Can I prioritize Ethernet over WiFi for specific applications in Windows 10?
Yes, you can prioritize Ethernet over WiFi for specific applications in Windows 10. To do this, you need to use the Windows 10 built-in feature called “Traffic Control.” This feature allows you to prioritize network traffic for specific applications.
To use Traffic Control, go to the Settings app, click on “Network & Internet,” and then select “Status.” From there, you can click on “Change adapter options” and then select the Ethernet adapter. Once you have selected the Ethernet adapter, you can click on “Properties” and then select “Traffic Control.”
Will prioritizing Ethernet over WiFi affect my VPN connection?
Prioritizing Ethernet over WiFi in Windows 10 may affect your VPN connection. If you are using a VPN connection that is configured to use the WiFi adapter, prioritizing Ethernet over WiFi may cause the VPN connection to drop.
To avoid this issue, you can configure your VPN connection to use the Ethernet adapter instead of the WiFi adapter. This will ensure that your VPN connection remains stable even when you prioritize Ethernet over WiFi.