The Ethernet cable that connects the operator’s router to our devices (and to other routers and amplifiers) matters a lot

• These cables can experience problems and stop working.

• They can also be the “bottleneck” if you notice that you are not receiving the contracted speed.

When I started having problems with the WiFi signal in my house, I tried several methods with success, such as using an old mobile phone as a repeater , and I even used a PLC for a few months. Each one with its strengths and weaknesses, I decided to take a considerable leap, which also involved some financial outlay: opting for a WiFi Mesh device .

These devices (in my case I have two “satellites” and a switchboard) solved the streaming interruptions, slow downloads, and constant “not connected” warnings that appeared on my equipment. However, as time went by, my worst fears returned, starting with a terrible speed.

When a cable affects a wireless connection

It sounds like a joke, but it’s not. A cable was the culprit of my latest problems with the damn WiFi, and it doesn’t seem to have anything to do with one another. After thinking that the failures in the connection of my devices to the router were gone, they returned in a somewhat strange way: the speed began to drop noticeably .

After a few days of not paying much attention to it, it got worse to the point where I was seeing endless loading screens when playing a video on YouTube. I contacted my carrier, and after a few reboots it was working decently again.

It was more like a mirage , because once again, I was suffering from such a slow speed that even Google was slow to show me its search engine. I investigated a little more from my mobile phone until, after another call to the technical service, they offered me a different answer: try a change. Replace the Ethernet cable that connects my operator’s router to the WiFi Mesh switchboard.

Now, the problems are over. And the reason was a cable that was probably due for a better life. However, the best thing about the change was not bringing back a stable and fast WiFi connection, but that I noticed a fault that I had when I acquired this system .

The importance of using the right Ethernet

What was it? Using an Ethernet cable that I had in a drawer, and not just because it might wear out. Apart from the obvious problems, this was not the only fault: I had heard something about the categories of an Ethernet cable, and now I know that I was using an old cable, specifically Cat5e, from quite a few years ago. Although it supports the speed of my connection, it is not optimal.

So I went shopping for a network cable , and I didn’t hesitate: I chose a Category 6 one and I would even recommend buying a higher one . Even more so when it links two crucially important devices, as happened to me. The operator’s router receives the connection directly via optical fiber, and a complementary system such as a WiFi Mesh can have a significant “bottleneck” if we use the least suitable cable.

That is why I will advise from now on to consider this aspect when installing routers as an alternative to the one provided by the technician. Also when I notice that something is not working as it should, I will try this Ethernet change. Now, if you are wondering what type you need, I leave below a table with the speeds supported by each category:

This will make it easier to determine which one is right for you. Do you have a 1 Gbps connection? Category 5e or 6 Ethernet will suffice. Do you want to make sure it will still be useful in the future? We can opt for more modern solutions such as Cat 6A or 7, which will be enough to deal with the dizzying speeds of up to 10 ‘gigs’ that some operators such as DIGI and Yoigo offer. Telefónica has shown that it goes even further , although it is not yet available to customers.

All in all, I’ve learned a lot about WiFi issues, and while I’ve solved them with a simple change, I’ve also learned other things that I’ll never forget. What’s hard to believe is that a simple Ethernet cable caused these problems… and I’ll never know how it happened, I only touched it a couple of times.