From what I understand, it sounds like you are connecting the desktop via WIFI if the Ethernet cable is unplugged. That will work fine. I prefer to connect via Ethernet when possible as it tends to be more stable, can be faster, and leaves more resources for the other WIFI devices.

Router sits on desk against wall with modem, monitor, desktop along side;

printer on shelf a mere 4.5 ft across from router (which is why I'm curious

about advantage of attaching a 7-8 ft Cat-6 cord (extra length to thread

along the baseboard).  My question is about how I ORIGINALLY had my 

(old Netgear) router connected (by ISP tech) which was wall cable to back 

of modem, short cord from modem to router, cord from back of desktop (it

is port labelled "Ethernet") which plugged into "LAN 1" of the Nighthawk.

 

Never paid any attention to HOW it was all connected, as the cable guy

did it.  Became curious when the Tether app install, Install Support chat

NEVER mentioned this last connection...even said it served no purpose.

 

So I'm asking if you pros/techno-geeks/experts agree this was (and would

be now) a USELESS connection or SHOULD be re-connected..pros/cons?

appreciate it Archer C8, while I got your attention about my printer.....

while 'hybrid schooling' in my office for a few hours every day, should  

I temporarily plug my Granddaughters Chromebooks into a LAN port?

 

@TexasIndian 

 

Routers can make LAN connections 2 ways, wired and wireless.

 

Some PC desktops come with both capabilities, some only wired. Many Laptop come with both.

 

Some routers from Vendor's expect a user to have WIRELESS capability and that is what Tether requires, a wireless connection, in order to setup your router. 'Us' old-fashioned technically capable users know how to get around that and use a common Browser to enter the router and set it up.

 

Since you are connecting wireless you now have a choice.

 

1. Stay wireless.
2. Switch to wired.

 

I'll assume you somehow knew how to enable wireless or someone talked you into how to do that. I suspect your WIRED Ethernet adapter on the PC is still enabled. If so, you'll need to DISABLE wireless adapter.

 

Now at this point now, if you are HAPPY with the speed of wireless, I'd just keep that. However, depending on some specifications, you could achieve faster downloads via a wired connection.

 

• Your ISP provided download speed.
• The specifications of your wireless adapter.
• The Router SSID band you are connected to (2.4Ghz or 5Ghz band).

 

For instance, if the wireless adapter (if 'we' knew the PC make and model we could probably figure that out) is N Speed, and your ISP Download speed is 100Mbps, you might not gain much going back to wired. On the otherhand, if the ISP speed it 400Mbps down and if using the N Speed wireless on the 2.4Ghz band, wired would be better.

 

OK, the above is TECHNICAL, your eyes might rolling, but you can also figure it out another way. Do you 'think' your Internet usage, such as downloads and web page loading is slower than before? If so, you might want to switch back to wired.

 

EASILY done, for me at least :-)

 

In Windows, on your keyboard, hold down the Windows Key and then press the letter R. Now in the box that appears, enter 'control' (without the 's). Next find in the list NETWORK AND SHARING CENTER. Click on CHANGE ADAPTER SETTINGS. Now, you'll need to see which is the WIRELESS DEVICE you are using. Here is what I see:

 

Yours will probably look different.

 

I have 2 Wifi devices on the PC, a slow internal one  (Wi-Fi) and a FAST USB one (Wi-Fi 2), which I am not connecting on. I can also connect with the Ethernet if I wish. However, with the USB device I can achive my ISP 400Mbps d/l speed, so I don't need to run a cable on the floor to the router.

 

The BLACK actually doesn''t say ENABLED, but my SSID I am connected to, I've covered that up.

 

You should see at least Ethernet and Wi-Fi.

 

If you want to switch you'll need to do this:

 

1. Right Mouse Button on the Wi-Fi connect and select DISABLE. You will NOW lose the LAN connection.
2. Plug in the cable from the PC Ethernet port to one of the 4 ports on the back.
3. If you did NOT disable the Ethernet Adapter when switching to Wi-Fi before and just disconnected the cable, you will have a LAN connection by now.
4. If you DID DISABLE the Ethernet Adapter, Right Mouse Button on it and then select ENABLE. That should reconnect you to the LAN (and Internet).

 

Test to see if you are working, if so DONE!

 

Not working, remove the Ethernet cable from the router port, Right Mouse Button the the Wi-Fi adapter and press Enable and you should be back on the LAN and Internet.

 

Let us know if this fixes the wired connection or you decided to stay wireless.

 

 

TexasIndian wrote

appreciate it Archer C8, while I got your attention about my printer.....

while 'hybrid schooling' in my office for a few hours every day, should  

I temporarily plug my Granddaughters Chromebooks into a LAN port?

 

@TexasIndian 

 

Printer? What is this about?

 

You can plug it in or even use Wireless if it has it.

 

Granddaughter might know more than you do, and would be on the LAN and might even have access to your PC. That is why the Router has GUEST SSID's that can not connect to your PC.  However, that has to be done via wireless.

 

Now what about your Printer, Make and Model please, and HOW was it connected before? Can you now print to it?

My thoughts on your granddaughter's laptop is if she is getting enough speed, then stay on WIFI as switching takes a bit of setting changes. Since she is close to the router and if she is on the 5GHz network, she should be getting close to the ISP speeds anyway. I connect my printers using wireless (2.4 GHz) although they both have both wired and wireless option and one is close to the router. I also have a desktop (iMac) near my router and I use the Ethernet (cabled) connection to it. That takes a bit of load off of the WIFI that my other 20+ devices can use and not affected by any WIFI interference.

WOW!!!   Lots of knowledge, some simple enough even for me, some "HUH??"

so I'll start at the 'top' and work my way down answering questions I understand:

 

#2 ArcherC8 

OLD router had ethernet cable connected, NOT now, lying on ground unplugged until.....

(moot since sounds as less wireless used, more 'juice' wireless devices get). Where do I

re-attach the cord from "Ethernet" on back of desktop to? Any LAN#? Does it matter? Will

I then need to 'reconfigure'/re-install the router someway? Or is it 'automatic? (idiot-proof)? 

 

# 5 IrvSp

Currently receive only 100Mbps from our ISP (only availability in this neighborhood) :-((

Set up router to Smart Connect devices (again, 'automatic' is idiot-proof, can't screw it up).

PC is HP Pavilion Elite HPE 500f (with a few upgrade options added at time of purchase).

 

#6 IrvSp

All 7 grandkids fly effortlessly around cells/Chromebooks, roll their eyes, sigh "oh PawPaw".

HP ENVY Photo 7855 currently NOT connected via Ethernet (will be soon as I buy new cord)

to date has always printed via HP Smart...but if wired adds 'juice' to wireless devices, then....

 

#7 ArcherC8

Gonna do the same...the possible scenario with ChromebookS (3 granddaughters in house)

wasn't gonna be pretty, 3 Cat cords hanging loose from router, then plugged in WHEN used

in my office. Signal has been fine, much better now since new router install; staying wireless.

 

#??  EitherOfYou

Is Cat-6 most current cord?  Have Cat-7 or beyond arrived?  Which is most efficient for me?

 

Can not express my appreciation to you both...and your struggle(s) to speak 'dumbass' for me.

Thank you both

 

 

 

 

Superb..thanks for succinct answers/knowledge AND specific ideas I can keep referring back to

Feel free to check my updated status in few days...like y'all have nothing better to do 

 

As I sit here now, my (knee-jerk) plan is to utilize my partially-used WalMart gift card

to buy longer Cat-6 to connect printer as described previously; re-connect the Cat-6

cord lying on floor behind desk from "Ethernet" labeled port on desktop to "LAN 1" of

router, assuming which port outta 8 makes no difference? (then I'll simply "disconnect"

the "TP-Link Wireless" icon on task bar?); NOT gonna mess with Chromebooks at all;

DOUBT will do anything with Smart Connect (unless/until notice whatever kinda issues?)

then I'll assign 2.4G to faraway/moving about devices: cells? laptop?  5G-streaming tv's?

If/when I do that, should I reassign teenaged grandkids laptops to solely 5G-2 Gaming??

 

 

(bored? check forum(s) for my next questions: tablets, wifi password, RoBlox/Fortnite/etc.)