New ethernet cable internet timing out

Andrei23 · 27 May 2015 at 20:19

I just bought the "OCUK Professional Cat6 RJ45 5m Network Cable" to replace a dying cable I was using before, and now my internet connection is a mess.

It times out constantly and I only get decent internet for 5 minutes after rebooting, then it goes back to being a mess.

I am plugged straight into the router in the same fashion that I was before with my ancient ethernet cable that was running just fine.

I am 100% it's the cable.

What gives? Is there something that I need to do to a new cable to make it at least work?

Any thoughts?

andy_mk3 · 27 May 2015 at 20:21

Could well just be a faulty cable, it happens I guess!

Andrei23 · 27 May 2015 at 20:25

But will a faulty cable work for 5-10 minutes after restarting my pc and then gradually not work almost at all? Wouldn't it just not work entirely? Are there different grades of working and not working with cables?

Andrei23 · 27 May 2015 at 20:27

Are there any "tricks" or things you are "supposed" to do with new ethernet cables when you first get them to ensure they work properly?

andy_mk3 · 27 May 2015 at 20:32

Nope, it either works or it doesn't really.

Andrei23 · 27 May 2015 at 20:40

So where does it working for 5-10 minutes after restarting the pc and then slowly grinding do a halt fit into all this?

Akagi · 27 May 2015 at 20:40

im thinking that it is probably something else. I mean, you felt the need to replace an ethernet cable, and then the replacement doesnt work properly.

Steveocee · 27 May 2015 at 20:40

Chances of a dodgy cable are slim but they're cheap enough to not bat an eye lid over. Other diy places that recommend you fix with screws sell 5m cat5e cables for about £4 if you need one quickly.

Andrei23 · 27 May 2015 at 21:05

Acme said:
im thinking that it is probably something else. I mean, you felt the need to replace an ethernet cable, and then the replacement doesnt work properly.

The reason I felt the need to replace it was that I managed to completely kill it by tugging on it too hard. The thing had been on its last legs for years and me pulling on it was the last straw.

Steveocee said:
Chances of a dodgy cable are slim but they're cheap enough to not bat an eye lid over. Other diy places that recommend you fix with screws sell 5m cat5e cables for about £4 if you need one quickly.

It's not the three fiddy I spent on the cable that annoys me, it's the timing out part.

Orcvader · 27 May 2015 at 22:34

How stable is the connection if you connect the PC to the router with a shorter distance? Could be a network adapter problem instead?

bledd · 28 May 2015 at 07:46

Put Linux Mint on a DVD or USB drive. Boot from this and see if the internet works.

Keep testing the adapter in this.

Have been some odd windows updates recently that have created issues for some people with Ethernet.

Also, try anther port on the router or move the PC right next to it and try a short cable.

This is basic problem solving by elimination that you should do before posting.

Sauced Apples · 29 May 2015 at 20:16

If you had some tugging issues with the last cable, I would suggest getting a cheap replacement again and seeing if it works or not but I would first think it's a port problem either on PC or router but could also be just a faulty cable.