Question Ethernet connection drops on problem PC, but both ethernet & WiFi are fine on other computers ?

[guyc]

Every so often my PC will drop connection on Ethernet, but my WiFi will be just fine. To test what might be causing this, I have tried:

• different ethernet cords to my PC
• connecting directly to the modem instead of the router
• tried a different PC connected at the same time to the router (the ethernet will drop on the problem PC but not the control PC)

I had another modem and router before but they had issues with wifi as well so I don't trust the results from them.

My problem PC's ethernet settings are:
- Windows 11
- private network
- IEEE 802.1x authentication off
- metered connection off
- IP assignment: Automatic (DHCP)
- DNS server assignment: Automatic (DHCP)
- Manufacturer: Marvel
- Description: Marvel AQtion 10 Gbit Network Adapter
- Driver Version: 3.1.8.0 (this is recommended in the Lenovo prebuilt I have as of Jan 2025 and I have been having this issue since September 2024)

My control PC's ethernet settings are:
- Windows 10
- private network
- metered connection off
- IP assignment: Automatic (DHCP)
- Manufacturer: Intel
- Description: Intel Ethernet Connection (7) 1219-V
- Driver Version: 12.18.9.23

Is there any settings I could change or is this possibly a faulty component? Any other things I could test? Thanks in advance.

Edit
I can also share router and modem information if that is helpful at all.

 

[bill001g]

Most of these type of issues are ethernet cable issues. There are massive amounts of fake cables being sold. The most common fake ones are those flat cables. You need no better than cat5e but the cable must have pure copper wire with wire size 22-24. This is printed on the side of most cables but if you buy a new one be sure to check, valid vendors know all about the fake cables and tend to very clearly point out this data on their cables.

Why do you have a 10gbit nic?. I assume the router only have 1gbit ports.

10gbit nics are even more sensitive to poor quality or fake cables. If you really run 10gbit you want cat6a cables. There is no long much price difference....the cheaper cables have risen massively in price because of the cost of copper metal. You might buy 6a if you are going to buy a new cable. Still if you are actually running at 1gbit then cat5e is fine. You either buy cat6a or cat5e, maybe cat6 if it cheaper. Do not buy cat7 or cat8 many of these cables are fakes and even if they are real you just pay more money for no better performance.

Not sure what to suggest. Almost all the ethernet function is done by hardware so the cpu chip is not running any code so it is not software issue like drivers that cause problems. It doesn't hurt to make sure you have the latest driver. 10gbit ports are a bit more complex but generally if the port is actually going disconnected status that is a hardware issue.

You really need to hope it is just a cable you other option is a bad port/chip in the machine. 1gbit ports add in nic cards are pretty cheap. 10gbit have come down but still are not cheap.