How to Use Wi-Fi and Ethernet at the Same Time in Windows

If you have a Windows computer with both Wi-Fi and ethernet connections, you may have come across a situation where you want to use both at the same time. Don’t worry, because this is really doable. Here’s how you can use Wi-Fi and ethernet at the same time in Windows.

By default, Windows uses one connection at a time for networking. By configuring the network adapter settings, you can use multiple network connections in the same instance. But why would a person need to use more than one connection on their computer? Let’s understand that first.

Benefits of Using Wi-Fi and Ethernet Simultaneously in Windows

The main benefit of using Wi-Fi and ethernet simultaneously can be experienced when you have a local server. In such cases, your Windows computer can use Wi-Fi to stay connected to the internet and use ethernet to transfer data and access your local server.

Another use of having both Wi-Fi and ethernet enabled at the same time is that when you have two different internet connections, you can use one as the primary connection while keeping the other as a backup.

In the event that the main source stops working, your computer will still have an internet connection using the secondary connection. This prevents internet downtime on your computer, as it takes no time to switch connections (unless both connections fail at the same time).

How to use Wi-Fi and Ethernet at the same time in Windows

We need to configure the network adapter settings in Windows to use Wi-Fi and ethernet simultaneously. Here is a step-by-step guide on top.

Step 1: Open Control Panel on your Windows computer. You can do this by pressing Windows + S and typing Dashboard in the search bar.

Step 2: Click ‘Network and Internet’.

Step 3: Now click on ‘Network and Sharing Center’. This will open the settings of your currently active network connection.

Step 4: Click ‘Change adapter settings’. This will show all network connections on your Windows computer.

Step 5: Now, right click on your Ethernet connection and select Properties.

Step 6: Click Configure.

Step 7: Click Advanced. A list will appear with all the properties of your ethernet adapter.

Step 8: From that list, search for ‘Priority & VLAN’. Click it.

Step 9: Select ‘Priority & VLAN Disabled’ for the Value drop-down menu and click OK.

Step 10: Restart your computer.

This will ensure that your Windows machine will use multiple network connections concurrently. You can revert these settings at any time from network connections. Not sure where to access them? Check out our guide to find the easiest way to open network settings in Windows.

Set network priority in Windows

Even after being connected to two networks simultaneously, Windows still searches for the best possible network to use the internet connection. However, you can set the priority in the network settings to instruct Windows to use a particular connection when it is connected to multiple networks. Here’s how you can do it.

Step 1: Press Windows + R to open run.

Step 2: Enter ncpa.cpl in the box. Click OK.

Step 3: Select the network you want to prioritize. Right click on it and go to Properties.

Step 4: Search for ‘Internet Version Protocol 4 (TCP/IPv4)’ and click on it.

Step 5: Now, click on Properties.

Step 6: Click Advanced. This will open TCP/IP priority settings.

Step 7: Uncheck the ‘Automatic metrics’ box. This will allow you to enter a value in the Interface Metric.

Step 8: Enter 5 in the box next to the Appearance indicator. Click OK.

Your Windows computer is now configured to use two connections simultaneously, along with network priority between the two.

Is it useful to use Wi-Fi and Ethernet at the same time?

If you have a local server or two separate internet connections, it can be useful to use Wi-Fi and ethernet at the same time. In either of these cases, you will be able to use multiple network connections simultaneously for more convenience than the default single connection configuration in Windows.

However, you should know that you are not going to double your internet speed immediately by using Wi-Fi and ethernet at the same time. Even if you have two separate internet connections on Wi-Fi and ethernet, Windows will not use both of them simultaneously to connect to the internet. Therefore, dual connection is only useful in specific situations where you have a local server or a backup internet connection.

Frequently Asked Questions about Using Wi-Fi and Ethernet in Windows

1. Why am I not getting internet connection after trying to use Wi-Fi and ethernet at the same time?

Make sure that the network that you have selected as priority in the interface indicator has an internet connection. If not, you should change the priority to another network.

2. Why doesn’t Windows use my selected network preference to connect to the internet?

This can happen if you are using the IPv6 protocol to connect to the internet. In such a case, repeat the network priority setting for Internet Protocol Version 6 (TCP/IPv6), which can be found directly below the IPv4 settings.

3. Can I connect my computer to two different Wi-Fi networks at the same time?

No, you cannot directly connect your computer to two different Wi-Fi networks at the same time. For this you will have to use an external Wi-Fi adapter and connect both of these connections from the network settings. Note that even after performing these steps, you cannot use the Internet from both Wi-Fi networks at the same time. It will only be useful when connecting additional devices such as printers, smart devices, etc.

Simultaneous Ethernet and Wi-Fi connections

In short, you can connect your Windows computer to Wi-Fi and ethernet at the same time. However, you can only use the internet connection from only one connection at a time. You can use this technique on your Windows computer to use the Internet over Wi-Fi while transferring the ethernet connection to a server, printer, or LAN system.

Categories: How to
Source: thpttranhungdao.edu.vn/en/