Check your connection issues—could it be a bad cable, bandwidth limits, or slow internet?
Check your connection issues—could it be a bad cable, bandwidth limits, or slow internet?
Recently I've faced some issues with my internet connection. It seems like the cable keeps disconnecting and reconnecting, making it hard to use on my PC. Since I don't have a Wi-Fi card to check for local problems, I'm wondering if the issue lies with the cable itself. Would you recommend a specific type of cable that's durable enough for partial outdoor routing? If not, how can we determine whether the problem is bandwidth limits or something else? I suspect it's unlikely to be poor internet since this has never happened before. Your thoughts would be appreciated!
First, I’d switch to another cable and test a different port on the switch or router. Have you observed any other connected devices showing issues?
I've checked all four ports, but nothing improved. I don't have a longer cable to connect to my PC. My PS4 is wired and seems fine. This issue started two days ago, and I'm suspecting a faulty cable. It was relatively inexpensive.
The cable could be damaged, but your network card or port might also be the issue. Because it's being routed outside, inspect the cable for any physical harm and/or test with another one. Cat 5e should suffice for gigabit speeds; Cat 6 or 7 is probably unnecessary. Look up "Cat 5e outdoor cable" to find alternatives.
If you possessed a cable tester, it would be ideal. As Eigenvector mentioned, it might even relate to the motherboard's NIC. Testing a NIC AIC could also provide useful insight. Based on how long the issue persists, switching to another operating system might help quickly determine if the problem lies in hardware or software.
I had it in mind when I got home. My mobile is relatively new (since late June), and the drivers are up to date. Just wanted to double-check that nothing else could disrupt this situation.
The damaged cable might be the culprit, but considering the symptoms I’m more inclined toward the NIC experiencing problems. Since the PS4 functions normally, this appears to be the quickest method to eliminate one possibility. You could also try using a shorter cable and connecting the PC directly to the router for confirmation. Does your PC’s cable pass through any sharp bends or has it been compressed? Ethernet cables usually handle bends better, so that might have contributed to the issue.