My wired network connection (CAT5) disappeared?

Page 1 of 3 123 LastLast

  1. Posts : 12
    Windows 10 Professional x64 build 1809
       #1

    My wired network connection (CAT5) disappeared?


    I'm downsizing and I'm using a Surface Pro 4/Win10 Pro as my workhorse. At my desk, I use it with a Tripp-Lite powerbar to give me an AC connection, a hard-wired LAN connection, and extra USB ports. Off my desk, I use the surface keyboard and mouse and a wireless LAN connection (very slow). Used to be, when I'd leave my desk, I had to choose my wireless connection from my Netgear router but, when I returned, it would default to my wired connection. Now, my wired connection has just disappeared, as if I've lost the wired network card portion of my Surface Pro. I'm running the latest updates and my drivers are all current. I've been doing business like this for a couple years and I think it's happened once before but shortly after it happened, I had to do a complete remove, reformat, and reinstall the OS and the wired connection reappeared. I have a lot on this Surface and a ground-up is probably in order but, I'd rather not, yet. Anybody got any tricks on how to reestablish the wire? I think I've tried most of them but, I suspect something corrupt in the registry. I'm just not sure how to get just this portion back without redoing everything
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 4,173
    Windows 11 Pro, 22H2
       #2

    The first thing that I would want to know is if the Ethernet adapter shows up in device manager under network adapters.

    Right click on Start, select Device Manager, scroll down to and expand Network adapters.

    If the adapter is seen, right-click on it and open the General tab. For Device status, does it indicate "This device is working properly"?

    Let's start with that and see where we go from there.
      My Computers


  3. Posts : 30,120
    Windows 11 Pro x64 Version 23H2
       #3

    While a pain, you might try enabling Airplane Mode when docked and disabled when mobile.
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 12
    Windows 10 Professional x64 build 1809
    Thread Starter
       #4

    All I am showing is Wi-Fi & Bluetooth coonections. TNX
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 30,120
    Windows 11 Pro x64 Version 23H2
       #5

    Okay but if you enable airplane mode the radios are shut off and the connection goes through your cable. Or should.

    On my wife's machine the wired connection icon does not show in the Notification area, just the airplane, but we know it is on the wire as you can see the backup speed.

    You can also type NCPA.cpl in the run box and you will see you are on the wire.
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 12
    Windows 10 Professional x64 build 1809
    Thread Starter
       #6

    I'm going to add a complication to this puzzle. I was in the process of downloading a Win 10 iso file from Microsoft to possibly do a rebuild. Once I got it started, I left to get a cup of coffee. When I got back, I was in the wired mode and happy as a clam because I was back to 50Mbps. It disappeared after I rebooted. Somewhere, there is a choice made, roughly, "If there is a CAT5 or 6 signal present, use it, otherwise pick a wireless signal." This is where its corrupt because it will take it when it's strong and prolonged but, the default selection is missing. Like I said, I think this is a registry selection. As you can tell, I'm a theorist and I need a hands-on fix. Again, many thanks to everybody. Paul
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 30,120
    Windows 11 Pro x64 Version 23H2
       #7

    Think this what you are looking for.

    Change Network Adapter Connection Priorities in Windows 10



    Ken
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 12
    Windows 10 Professional x64 build 1809
    Thread Starter
       #8

    Ken,
    I just let this morning's first coffee start to work and looked at your E-Mail. I finally think that probably is the solution. As I skimmed it, I didn't see anything about a restore or default settings but, that may be obvious when I get into it. I'm not going to close this out, yet, but I want to thank you in advance. Describing a problem to the right depth and insuring that the simple fixes preceding it are accomplished in prose are tough. Many thanks. I think that the texts are finally hitting the streets on Win 10 but I haven't seen any of the big Microsoft bibles, yet. Any recommendations?
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 30,120
    Windows 11 Pro x64 Version 23H2
       #9

    This forum is the only recommendation. The tutorials are rock solid. I scan threads of interest, always something to learn within.
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 12
    Windows 10 Professional x64 build 1809
    Thread Starter
       #10

    Ken,
    I just let this morning's first coffee start to work and looked at your E-Mail. I finally think that probably is the solution. As I skimmed it, I didn't see anything about a restore or default settings but, that may be obvious when I get into it. I'm not going to close this out, yet, but I want to thank you in advance. Describing a problem to the right depth and insuring that the simple fixes preceding it are accomplished in prose are tough. Many thanks. I think that the texts are finally hitting the streets on Win 10 but I haven't seen any of the big Microsoft bibles, yet. Any recommendations?
      My Computer


 

  Related Discussions
Our Sites
Site Links
About Us
Windows 10 Forums is an independent web site and has not been authorized, sponsored, or otherwise approved by Microsoft Corporation. "Windows 10" and related materials are trademarks of Microsoft Corp.

© Designer Media Ltd
All times are GMT -5. The time now is 00:54.
Find Us




Windows 10 Forums