[SOLVED] Ethernet wall ports not working

[krombopulos]

Hello,

I've never given it much thought before, but due to recent circumstances, I need to use Ethernet on a few devices. There is one ethernet port in two different rooms in my house (that's two in total) but neither of them work when I plug my ethernet cable directly in the wall port in either room with the other end in my laptop. Ethernet does work however when I plug the other end of the ethernet cable in my router directly instead of the wall port.

I'm interested in getting an internet connection from the ethernet ports in my walls. I have managed to track down where the ethernet cables from the wall ports lead to, which conveniently happens to be where I keep my WiFi router.
Here is a picture:

https://imgur.com/WzMQOMr

View: https://i.imgur.com/WzMQOMr.jpg


There are two different cables for the two different ethernet wall ports. Good news is that in the mess of wires, I've located the two wires that connect to the wall Ethernet ports.

https://imgur.com/kGH1dJT

View: https://i.imgur.com/kGH1dJT.jpg


The not so good news is that this other end of the cables is bare and doesn't have a connector:

https://imgur.com/rs5nm54

View: https://i.imgur.com/rs5nm54.jpg


I've taken a look at the printed text on the two cables and can say that they're both Category 5E cables.

The back of my router has the following female ports:

https://imgur.com/F7RmyEZ

View: https://i.imgur.com/F7RmyEZ.jpg


How can I go about making sure that the wall ports are "activated"? What's my next course of action here. (Admittedly I am a noob when it comes to wiring so I appreciate as much advise as possible )

 

[faalin]

you need to put ends on those cables and plug them into the ethernet 2-4 ports. You will need to pull the wall plate off of each cable and see how they are wired, ether in A or B, there should be a little color code on the side of the punch down jack to tell you which it is.

To wire the RJ45 end that needs crimped on use the following. holding the plastic end with the release tab pointed to the ground the wiring from left to right should be.

A

green/white
green
orange/white
blue
blue/white
orange
brown/white
brown

B
orange/white
orange
green/white
blue
blue/white
green
brown/white
brown

you need to make sure that both ends are wired in A or B, you can not mix the ends. If you want you can take a picture of the back side of the wall plate wiring to be 100% sure you get the right config.

 

[gggplaya]

Those 2 cables need to plug into the yellow ports of your router. You can use punchdown connectors to create female jacks, then just use a couple short premade cables to connect them to the router.

Youtube has plenty of instructions on how to use punchdown connectors:

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0gxNZoPcnP4

 

[kanewolf]

You also need to look at the other end of those cables. You want to match the color code used at the other end, assuming those wires are connected to the jacks. You also want to verify that all 8 wires are connected at the far end of each cable.
If you are dealing with in-wall wiring, I recommend you get an inexpensive tester like this one -- https://www.amazon.com/Klein-VDV526-052-Scout-Junior-Tester/dp/B004CI9NRM

 

[krombopulos]

you need to put ends on those cables and plug them into the ethernet 2-4 ports. You will need to pull the wall plate off of each cable and see how they are wired, ether in A or B, there should be a little color code on the side of the punch down jack to tell you which it is.

To wire the RJ45 end that needs crimped on use the following. holding the plastic end with the release tab pointed to the ground the wiring from left to right should be.

A

green/white
green
orange/white
blue
blue/white
orange
brown/white
brown

B
orange/white
orange
green/white
blue
blue/white
green
brown/white
brown

you need to make sure that both ends are wired in A or B, you can not mix the ends. If you want you can take a picture of the back side of the wall plate wiring to be 100% sure you get the right config.

I've taken a look at the connector in my wall and here are the configs. I believe they're the exact same in both. Although I'm having some trouble determining which configuration it is. Any ideas?

https://imgur.com/Kgq6uOF

View: https://i.imgur.com/Kgq6uOF.jpg

https://imgur.com/S2Ipaxv

View: https://i.imgur.com/S2Ipaxv.jpg

 

[gggplaya]

I've taken a look at the connector in my wall and here are the configs. I believe they're the exact same in both. Although I'm having some trouble determining which configuration it is. Any ideas?

If you look at the first picture, you can see the wiring color coding behind the wires. They followed the outside colors, If you move those wires with your finger a little, you should see an A or B labeled for the outside configuration.

 

[krombopulos]

If you look at the first picture, you can see the wiring color coding behind the wires. They followed the outside colors, If you move those wires with your finger a little, you should see an A or B labeled for the outside configuration.

I take it that it's following A then?

https://imgur.com/spoegYc

View: https://i.imgur.com/spoegYc.jpg

 

[gggplaya]

YES, so you need to follow the A configuration when you do the other ends at the router.

 

[krombopulos]

YES, so you need to follow the A configuration when you do the other ends at the router.

So when I link up the other end of the wires to an RJ45 connector, it has to be MY "A" configuration, and not the one the other guy suggested?

 

[gggplaya]

Well, it's an international standard. You have to use T568-A because that's what the installer did when they made those jacks.

 

[gggplaya]

When you buy the punchdown jacks, they'll have a color guide for A or B, you'll want to follow the A color guide.

You can see the guide on the side of the jack:

 

[krombopulos]

Well, it's an international standard. You have to use T568-A because that's what the installer did when they made those jacks.

Thanks a ton!

When you buy the punchdown jacks, they'll have a color guide for A or B, you'll want to follow the A color guide.

Why would I need a punchdown jack though? Would it not be so much easier to buy RJ45 connectors, secure the cables onto them and then plug them into the router?

 

[gggplaya]

You could technically use a crimp tool with crimp connectors........

However, Punchdowns are easier for novices, than trying to crimp them on.

Having jacks on both ends is traditionally how things are done. There is usually also a patch panel to hold the outlets where you can also label them.

 

[krombopulos]

You could technically use a crimp tool with crimp connectors........

However, Punchdowns are easier for novices, than trying to crimp them on.

Having jacks on both ends is traditionally how things are done. There is usually also a patch panel to hold the outlets where you can also label them.

I don't have one of those patch panels, so I'd have to buy one. Seems like too much hassle lol. Might just stick with RJ45 connectors. Do you know a good place to buy some decent quality ones? (I live in the UK)

 

[gggplaya]

You don't need a patch panel, but most local hardware stores will carry the punch tool and keystone punchdown jacks. They're like $3-4 each in the U.S.

Amazon is usually where I get my Rj45 connectors, make sure you get the cat5e versions to match what it says on the wire jacket.

But, trust me, punchdown jacks are much quicker and easier. Trying to line up and shove the wires into an RJ45 connector is a pain sometimes.

Patch panels aren't very expensive, 18 pounds for a wall mount one: https://www.amazon.co.uk/deleyCON-Network-Panel-12-Port-Distributor/dp/B01BGVAM40

 

[krombopulos]

You don't need a patch panel, but most local hardware stores will carry the punch tool and keystone punchdown jacks. They're like $3-4 each in the U.S.

Amazon is usually where I get my Rj45 connectors, make sure you get the cat5e versions to match what it says on the wire jacket.

But, trust me, punchdown jacks are much quicker and easier. Trying to line up and shove the wires into an RJ45 connector is a pain sometimes.

Patch panels aren't very expensive, 18 pounds for a wall mount one: https://www.amazon.co.uk/deleyCON-Network-Panel-12-Port-Distributor/dp/B01BGVAM40

I'm looking to minimise spending as much as possible to put little strain on my parents as they're paying for it. I'm looking at this product and the RJ45 connector's seem to be unrated.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Modular-Cr...ping+tool&qid=1608660656&s=electronics&sr=1-5

Do you reckon they'll work with my cables?

 

[gggplaya]

I use professional tools, so I can't comment too much on the quality of the tool. But just assume you'll waste the first few crimps and have to redo them as you're not only learning but using a tool of questionable quality. With 10 crimps, I'm sure you'll eventually get them to work right.

You'll also need a razor blade(box cutter knife), which i'm sure you already have.

 

[krombopulos]

I use professional tools, so I can't comment too much on the quality of the tool. But just assume you'll waste the first few crimps and have to redo them as you're not only learning but using a tool of questionable quality. With 10 crimps, I'm sure you'll eventually get them to work right.

You'll also need a razor blade(box cutter knife), which i'm sure you already have.

Alright, I guess I'll buy it and give it a go.
What would I need a box cutter for?

 

[gggplaya]

Alright, I guess I'll buy it and give it a go.
What would I need a box cutter for?

If you don't have box cutters or an exacto knife, don't go out and buy one. Don't worry about it. I generally use it to cut the wires since they're typically much sharper than the blade on the crimp tool. I lay the wires on a table and press down with the box cutter to make a clean even cut.

I also use some diagonal cutters. to cut the jacket. I snip the jacket from the front face. Then separate and pull the jacket back, then snip the rest of the jacket from the sides. Again, don't go out and buy something, just use what you have.

 

[gggplaya]

You'll need this diagram for the RJ45 connectors, you'll want to follow the TS568A as discussed:

 

[krombopulos]

You'll need this diagram for the RJ45 connectors, you'll want to follow the TS568A as discussed:

I did the work today and it worked!