Problem with Ethernet connection
Problem with Ethernet connection
Hi, I recently changed the ends of my telephone wire using cat6 connectors in the hope of gaining Ethernet access upstairs. So far, it hasn’t worked. I understand the cable is cat5e and the connectors are cat6, which could be the problem. There are three ports upstairs, but I can only locate two downstairs. Any suggestions on where the third might be would be really helpful. Edit: the listing mentioned cat6/cat5e.
Discrepancy in connector and wire ratings shouldn't be an issue—copper works as expected. In the worst case, you might miss the advertised speeds. What’s the concern? Is there a note saying "network cable unplugged"? Or another clue? If that’s the case, it could mean you connected the wrong port. Without knowing where the cables terminate, I can’t assist much. If the message reads "network cable unplugged," it might indicate an incorrect port was used. If the light on the port illuminates, you’ve connected to something functional. If not at all, there’s nothing transmitting from the other side.
I connected both ends in the B setup and thought it would work as long as all connectors matched. I tested each downstairs connector while pairing them with different upstairs setups (two downstairs, three upstairs) but didn’t see any clear signal from my router.
I believe connections end where the phone, internet, fiber, or cable enters the home—likely at the bottom of the floor or in a utility area like a basement or closet. There might be patch panels or messy wires scattered around. Possibly in the attic or garage. Could you share more details about how the cables are arranged, whether they’re securely mounted or loose, if they’re original or added later? Any extra context from the listing would help.
I searched thoroughly for a patch panel and haven't located one yet. It might be in my neighbor's section, but I'm skeptical since these homes were designed to be divided. The wall cables were initially properly connected using telephone jacks that I've since swapped with Cat6 Ethernet ports. They likely remain original, given the house was built in 2005.
I’m completely sure about this without needing to examine my own home.
I tend to question such connections since they don’t always match one-to-one, though I understand that many places use several lines. Are you certain it’s Cat 5e?
Are you located in the UK? It's probable you've just updated the telephone extension sockets—those are connections to the main Openreach master socket where your phone or broadband ends inside the house, enabling placement of devices elsewhere. Currently, builders often use cat5 instead of traditional telephone wire because it's more cost-effective for bulk purchases and simplifies ordering various cable types. If you're with Virgin or a FTTP provider, this setup is likely obsolete. You'll probably need cat5/cat6 cables from your router to the rooms where you want wired data. Here’s a diagram illustrating the usual layout, though the colors may not match—http://www.dougrice.plus.com/Erlangs/adsl_Wire003.gif