Are Ethernet Cables Slowing Your Connection?

An Ethernet cable may slow your connection if it’s the wrong type. For example, never use a CAT 5 cable if your internet connection is 200 Mbps or faster.

A damaged Ethernet cable can also slow your connection. A broken clip, for example, prevents the contacts from making a full connection in the port.

To cover all the bases, we’ll explain how you can identify an Ethernet cable’s category to determine if you have the correct one. After that, we’ll troubleshoot possible issues related to Ethernet connections.

First, find your cable’s category

Look closely at your Ethernet cable to find its category number, which should be printed on the outer layer (sheath).

The category number tells you information about the cable’s design and its theoretical maximum (ceiling) speed over a set distance. The higher the number, the newer the design, and the more data the cable transmits over a set distance.

For example, A CAT 3 cable is slow as snails and old as dirt. A CAT 8 cable is recent and comically faster than any home internet connection you can get right now.

Here’s a list of the speeds each category type can deliver:

As the chart shows, do not install a CAT 5 cable between your modem and your router if your internet plan exceeds 100 Mbps. Instead, use a CAT 5e or newer at the very least, for 200 Mbps plans and faster.

However, a CAT 6a cable or newer is ideal for Gig+ (1,001–1,999 Mbps) and Multi-Gig (2,000+ Mbps) internet connections.

Ethernet troubleshooting

If you have the correct cable, continue on to see if there may be problems with the length, the connectors, or other factors.

Check your cable’s length

Most Ethernet cables are designed to perform at a specific maximum speed across 328 feet. For example, a CAT 6 cable has a theoretical ceiling speed of 1 Gbps, while a CAT 6a cable can hit 10 Gbps—both across 328 feet. The only exceptions are two CAT 7 cables and CAT 8 cables that support super-high speeds at shorter distances.

That said, you won’t see any speed changes if you use a short cable versus a long one if they’re both within the specification’s designated range. But all cables that extend beyond their specified range will see signal loss, which results in slower speeds. In other words, you’ll only get a 10 Gbps connection out of a CAT 7 cable if it’s longer than 164 feet in length.

However, some may argue that shorter cables are better than long ones because data takes less time to reach its destination. After all, a car traveling at 50 MPH across 10 miles will reach its destination before a car traveling at the same speed across 100 miles. With Ethernet, the time difference is in nanoseconds, so it’s not worth the argument.

Still, you don’t want to use a 50-foot cable to connect your modem to your router if they’re sitting side-by-side—cable management would be a nightmare.

Check the cable for damage

An Ethernet cable has two or four twisted copper wire pairs wrapped in foil and covered by a sturdy PVC sleeve. If the copper wires are damaged, you will have a slower connection—or no connection at all.

Keep in mind that cats and puppies love to chew on cables, and toddlers may pull on them just because they’re interesting and fun to whip. Try to keep your cables out of reach from teeth, claws, and little fingers.

If you have Ethernet cables located outside, under your home, or in the attic, check them for damage too. They’re just as susceptible to nature and human error as cable TV and telephone lines, so one little nick from a weed eater or a bite from a rodent can slow your internet connection to a crawl.

Check the cable’s connectors

An Ethernet cable has an RJ45 connector on each end. These connectors have eight contacts that touch eight contacts inside the Ethernet port. If they’re dirty, corroded, or damaged, you won’t have a good connection, which causes slower speeds.

An Ethernet cable’s connector also has a clip that’s used to hold it in place within the Ethernet port. If the clip is broken, the connector will wiggle around in the port, preventing the contacts from making a full connection. You’ll have slower speeds as a result and a possible disconnection if the connector falls out of the port.

Check your Ethernet port type

Today’s mainstream electronics generally use three Ethernet port types: Fast Ethernet, Gigabit Ethernet, and 2.5G Multi-Gig Ethernet. Gigabit Ethernet is the most common in desktops, laptops, game consoles, media streamers, routers, modems, and gateways. The 2.5G Multi-Gig Ethernet port is more common now on modems, gateways, and routers than in years past thanks to the rise of Gig+ and Multi-Gig internet connections.

Now, here’s the thing. You’ll probably never see the port’s maximum speed due to network overhead, which is bandwidth used to carry information about the payload (your data) traveling down the line. We use 6% here to give you an idea of real-world speeds although the percentage changes based on the protocol used to transfer your data.

That’s quite the rabbit hole. We get it. But Ethernet ports and cables play hand-in-hand. Plug a CAT 6 cable into a Gigabit Ethernet port and chances are the most you get is 940 Mbps. Plug that same cable into a 2.5 Gbps Ethernet port, and you still get around 940 Mbps—the cable is now your only bottleneck. A CAT 6a cable and newer is best for Multi-Gig Ethernet ports.

If you have an older PC with a Fast Ethernet port, you can work around its limitation by purchasing a USB-to-Ethernet adapter that supports gigabit speeds. The older USB-A 2.0 port supports up to 480 Mbps, which is better than a Fast Ethernet connection. However, you should use a USB-A 3.x or USB-C 3.x port, as they support 5,000 Mbps (5 Gbps) or 10,000 Mbps (10 Gbps), depending on the port’s configuration.

The bottom line here is to be wary about the Ethernet ports you have and how they affect your connections to other devices and the internet. Don’t expect to use a CAT 6a cable and get a 10 Gbps connection out of a Gigabit Ethernet port.

Use a different Ethernet port

If you use Ethernet with a game console, PC, or streaming device, try moving the other end of your Ethernet cable to a different port on the router or gateway. There are usually four at the very least, and the one you’re using may be failing.

A bad Ethernet port will give you slow speeds or no connection at all. By switching ports, you can rule out other possibilities like internet problems, cable issues, and device issues. If your connection suddenly improves by using the new port, then something is wrong with the previous one. Put tape over the troublesome port, so you don’t use it again.

If you have a mesh kit that limits you to just one or two Ethernet ports, you may need to use Wi-Fi instead. Contact the manufacturer if you believe the Ethernet port is having technical issues.

Check your network settings

Log in to your router or gateway’s interface, and make sure you didn’t accidentally block a wired device or limit its connection. The Ethernet cable and port may not be an issue at all, but rather a setting that’s preventing your device from seeing the connection’s full potential.

For example, routers and gateways provide Quality of Service settings that prioritize specific devices and traffic. You may run into speed issues if the router or gateway allocates more bandwidth to a gaming device and prioritizes its associated traffic.

Check your Ethernet switch

If you have multiple Ethernet lines running through your home or office, chances are you may have an Ethernet switch box. They’re ideal if you ignore Wi-Fi altogether and wire everything that accesses the internet. They’re essentially little computers with only one job: forward data.

Like any computing device, switches need to be power cycled from time to time to clear up any hardware and software issues. If disconnecting and reconnecting the power doesn’t resolve your slowdown woes (and you’re sure the switch is the issue), then you may need to replace the unit.

Restart and update your devices

Your Ethernet slowdown may result from a hardware or software issue requiring you to reboot your device.

Be sure that you keep your devices updated, too—install all operating system updates and drivers. An outdated network driver—software that allows the operating system to speak to the hardware—can cause connection problems, like slowdowns and disconnections. Manufacturers generally release new drivers throughout the year to improve performance and stamp out issues, so keeping them current is a must.

Call your internet provider

Cable modems, DSL modems, and fiber optical network terminals (ONT) use Ethernet to deliver internet to a Wi-Fi router. If you replaced the Ethernet cable tethering the two devices and you still have speed issues that aren’t related to your internet connection, there may be problems with the Ethernet port on the modem or ONT. You may also be experiencing a general failure with the modem or ONT itself. Call your provider if you’ve ruled everything else out.

Some homes and offices may have Ethernet problems you just can’t fix. For example, many fiber-to-the-home and fiber-to-the-building services use Ethernet cables draped within the walls and connected to Ethernet jacks mounted in the wall. There may be an issue with the cable or the wall-mounted port that requires a technician to fix.

How do you make Ethernet run faster?

You can’t make Ethernet components run faster than their intended design, but you can get better hardware and cables to speed up your wired network.

As we mentioned earlier, your home network speed depends on two factors: The Ethernet ports you use and the connected Ethernet cables. They need to complement each other, or else one bottlenecks the other.

Let’s use Spectrum’s Gigabit plan as an example, which has download speeds of up to 1,000 Mbps. If you have a modem with a Gigabit Ethernet port, the most you can get out of the plan is around 940 Mbps. If you have a modem with a 2.5G Multi-Gig Ethernet port, you get the full 1,000 Mbps (theoretically).

The same principle applies to the router and all your wired devices. If everything uses Gigabit Ethernet, there’s no point in installing CAT 6a cables or newer ones. That’s true with link aggregation too—paring two Gigabit Ethernet ports to make a single 2 Gbps connection.

Go with CAT 6a cables and newer ones if you have Multi-Gig ports. Also, be sure to upgrade your Ethernet switch boxes if you use them. Models with 2.5 Gbps Ethernet ports are now more common than in years past, but they’re still more expensive than the Gigabit Ethernet models.

FAQ about Ethernet cables

Who maintains the Ethernet standards?

The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) develops and maintains standards that define how devices share data. You may be familiar with the IEEE 802.11 standard family used for Wi-Fi, like 802.11ac or Wireless AC (now Wi-Fi 5). The 802.3 standard family dictates how Ethernet works in a network, like how fast a cable can send data over a set distance.

Like with Wi-Fi, the IEEE has revised the 802.3 standard over the years to support faster speeds. Each revision adds a letter, like 802.3a and 802.3e. Since these specifications dictate different speeds and how to achieve them, the supporting cables divide into categories.

However, the Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA) maintains the standards specific to Ethernet cables used in non-residential areas and buildings.

Are all Ethernet cables the same?

Not all Ethernet cables are the same. They are currently divided into seven types (or categories) based on their design and supported maximum speed.

What is an Ethernet category?

A category (CAT) refers to how an Ethernet cable supports a specific specification through its design. For example, a CAT 5e cable features four twisted wire pairs capable of supporting a bandwidth of 100 MHz (100 Mbps). A CAT 3 cable has two twisted wire pairs that support a lower 16 MHz (10 Mbps) bandwidth.

The category number represents the revision. Higher numbers represent newer cables, faster speeds, and added shielding that enables those faster speeds. Here’s the complete list:

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