Ethernet cant pass 100mbps

[hans5438]

So on my network adapter the speed says 1gbps, and I pay for a 250mbps connection speed. But on speedtest it says that I only have like 86mbps.
Does someone know why?

 

[anotherdrew]

Your connection to the internet is made up of a number of links. Your speed will be determined by the slowest of these.

Yes, your adapter is rated at 1gpbs, but if you use a cable that is only capable of 100 mbps, then that is the most you will get.

 

[hans5438]

Your connection to the internet is made up of a number of links. Your speed will be determined by the slowest of these.

Yes, your adapter is rated at 1gpbs, but if you use a cable that is only capable of 100 mbps, then that is the most you will get.

So you mean that when I have this: https://imgur.com/a/5bJo6, I still have to check the cables?

 

[InvalidError]

Yes, your adapter is rated at 1gpbs, but if you use a cable that is only capable of 100 mbps, then that is the most you will get.

1GBase-T was designed to run over plain cat5 wiring. Most wiring that is good enough for 100Base-TX is good enough for 1GBase-T, especially if your cable runs are significantly less than 100m (323') long.

It is more likely that either OP has a 100Mbps switch/router between his PC and modem or there is network congestion along the speedtest path limiting achievable speeds on that speedtest server.

 

[anotherdrew]

I always recommend checking your cables. Why? It's easy and free (assuming you have spare sitting around). That said, my statement was just an example. One of your links is running slow. I don't know if it's on your network, the link to your ISP, or your ISP's link to the internet. Although, when ever I see a max speed close to 100 mbps, my first thought is something on your network running at 100 mpbs (even if rated higher).

 

[caledbwlch]

You connection depends on several things. In particular, if you are connecting to a router, modem, or access point that only supports 100mbps, that is what you will be stuck with. For example, I have a wireless access point that is wired to my main switch that only supports 100mbps, so all my desktops are hardwired directly to my main switch via gigabit Ethernet ports so that I can get the full 250mbps my cable provider offers (actually a bit more sometimes). I know a guy in the same boat as you, and I asked to look at his router. It only supported 100mbps, so he was stuck.

Check all the hardware between you and your cable modem. I'm sure one has a 100mbps link.

 

[hans5438]

So I went to look for my router, modem, hubs and cables. They do seem to support gigabyte ethernet, and all my cables are cat5e, which should be fine. I'll try to connect my pc to the modem to see if anything changes.

Edit: So I got my 250 mbps if I connect directly to my modem, so I guess the problem is them between my pc and my modem.

 

[hans5438]

Thx anotherdrew, InvalidError, caledbwlch for helping me out, although I still don't know what is causing the problem (perhaps the wires in the wall?), but I will just consider using a longer cable.

 

[InvalidError]

Thx anotherdrew, InvalidError, caledbwlch for helping me out, although I still don't know what is causing the problem (perhaps the wires in the wall?), but I will just consider using a longer cable.

If the cable going through walls is the one your PC connects to your router to, you could try checking your LAN adapter's error count by opening perfmon.msc, click the performance monitor, click the + icon to add a value to monitor, expand the Network Adapter category and pick Receive Error, pick your LAN adapter in the list of instances and add that counter.

Ideally, that counter should be low/zero. If it rises significantly during speedtests, then you have a signal integrity issue either from faulty equipment or wiring.

 

[hans5438]

Thx anotherdrew, InvalidError, caledbwlch for helping me out, although I still don't know what is causing the problem (perhaps the wires in the wall?), but I will just consider using a longer cable.

If the cable going through walls is the one your PC connects to your router to, you could try checking your LAN adapter's error count by opening perfmon.msc, click the performance monitor, click the + icon to add a value to monitor, expand the Network Adapter category and pick Receive Error, pick your LAN adapter in the list of instances and add that counter.

Ideally, that counter should be low/zero. If it rises significantly during speedtests, then you have a signal integrity issue either from faulty equipment or wiring.

They do stay at 0, I guess the lines in the wall just doesn't support GbE.

 

[anotherdrew]

I think it's worth opening a jack to see. The cat rating is normally printed on the side of the cable. If it was wired a while ago, they may have wired it wrong (10BaseT and 100BaseT are pretty forgiving) or I have seen some where they only used 2 pairs (that's all 100BaseT requires) and left the other 2 hanging. It might be an easy fix ... fingers crossed.

https://www.tomsguide.com/us/gigabit-ethernet-needtoknow,review-118-4.html

 

[InvalidError]

They do stay at 0, I guess the lines in the wall just doesn't support GbE.

If your LAN adapter reports 1Gbps LAN speed and zero errors, then your cable is perfectly fine at 1Gbps.

 

[hans5438]

I think it's worth opening a jack to see. The cat rating is normally printed on the side of the cable. If it was wired a while ago, they may have wired it wrong (10BaseT and 100BaseT are pretty forgiving) or I have seen some where they only used 2 pairs (that's all 100BaseT requires) and left the other 2 hanging. It might be an easy fix ... fingers crossed.

https://www.tomsguide.com/us/gigabit-ethernet-needtoknow,review-118-4.html

I just found that the blue pair is indeed used for the phone line, this might actually be the reason. I'll try if it works.

Edit: It does not work, although my speed was increased by 10 mbps...

 

[caledbwlch]

I don't suppose you could give us the model numbers for all the equipment between your computer and your service provider?

 

[theonerm2]

I had the same problem after my internet was upgraded to a speed beyond 100Mbps. The problem was in a box that my ISP has outside my house. The box was only rated for 100Mbps. They had been upgrading the boxes in my area but my house was overlooked somehow. The new box is rated for a gigabit per second. That was the problem all along. Maybe you have a similar problem if you recently upgraded?

 

[jfreggie2]

So I went to look for my router, modem, hubs and cables. They do seem to support gigabyte ethernet, and all my cables are cat5e, which should be fine. I'll try to connect my pc to the modem to see if anything changes.

Edit: So I got my 250 mbps if I connect directly to my modem, so I guess the problem is them between my pc and my modem.

What are the model numbers of the devices between your PC and the modem? (i.e. router and hub/switch?)

 

[hans5438]

Modem: CISCO EPC3928
Switch: Sitecom 8 port Gigabite Switch

 

[caledbwlch]

That helps. This does sound like a cabling issue. 100mbps uses less wiring pairs than gigabit. Your options now are to replace cables and jacks until the issue is resolved. You should do a visual inspection first for obvious damage. If any of the cables had ends installed by the installer, I would consider them the first ones to look at. Not everyone knows how to properly make and test a network cable.