The Ethernet cable is acting up and not working right now.
The Ethernet cable is acting up and not working right now.
I own a 75-foot ethernet cable that runs from my modem upstairs to my computer downstairs. I've used this same cable for more than a year without any trouble, but today started up issues. When I plug it into my Xbox, everything works great, but when I plug it into my PC, nothing happens at all. Even Windows doesn't recognize the cable being inserted. I tried testing my PC with another ethernet cord, and that one worked just fine. Honestly, I have no idea why my PC is not seeing any signal from the router.
Most likely, one end has a bit of damage that the computer cannot handle. You might see dirt or rust, but usually, the problem is with a wire inside the plug that isn't touching properly. It could be if the wire was pinched in a door frame. This is hard to tell without looking closer at the price. The cost to replace just those ends is about the same as buying a brand new cable. If this cable runs through walls, you might consider using Keystone jacks instead of RJ45 plugs now. They have tool-free versions that are easy for beginners to install compared to RJ45 connectors. But be careful if your cable is fake—meaning it's not made of real copper or isn't thick enough. You won't be able to fix the ends easily with fakes. Fakes don't meet the standards for actual Ethernet cables, so devices have trouble using them and problems get worse the longer the cable gets.