My own Ethernet cables don't work in my pc, but the cable at repair shop does. Why?

R

RandomName

Member
Hi. I have 3 ethernet cables, one is brand new. They snap in securely, but the computer says no cable is there. Took the pc to a repair shop to test it, and the cable they had worked, ie, it connected to the internet (which I can't do at home). I noticed their cable looked larger, and it slipped out of the ethernet port too easily, ie, you could pull gently on the wire without squeezing the tab, and it came out, which is unusual. The repair shop guy blamed that on my port being defective somehow. Nonetheless, their cable connected me to the internet.

All 3 of my own cables snap in securely and you can't just pull them out without squeezing the tab. It's just this one port on this one pc. I can hook the cable to another pc, and get internet just fine. I guess the repair shop has a magic, loose-fitting cable that works on everything, right? lol. At my wit's end. Only thing I can think of is to buy one of their cables, lol.

I should mention that this problem started recently, beforewhich all was well.
 

That's a strange one, it works at the repair shop with one of their cables but not with any of your cables. It certainly sounds like it might be a bad RJ45 port. Do you have a USB C port that you can use? If so you can use a USB C to Ethernet cable or an adapter (USB C to Ethernet) and connect to your internet via the USB C port.
USB to rj45 2.jpg
 
RandomName said:
Hi. I have 3 ethernet cables, one is brand new. They snap in securely, but the computer says no cable is there. Took the pc to a repair shop to test it, and the cable they had worked, ie, it connected to the internet (which I can't do at home). I noticed their cable looked larger, and it slipped out of the ethernet port too easily, ie, you could pull gently on the wire without squeezing the tab, and it came out, which is unusual. The repair shop guy blamed that on my port being defective somehow. Nonetheless, their cable connected me to the internet.

All 3 of my own cables snap in securely and you can't just pull them out without squeezing the tab. It's just this one port on this one pc. I can hook the cable to another pc, and get internet just fine. I guess the repair shop has a magic, loose-fitting cable that works on everything, right? lol. At my wit's end. Only thing I can think of is to buy one of their cables, lol.

I should mention that this problem started recently, beforewhich all was well.
Click to expand...
That's kind of like me and my chargers for the rechargeable items I've got like my two tablets phone and two fans. Two chargers will do adequate if I'm sleeping and they'll charge it up but it takes about 10 hours, but I have another one that'll zap my phone or tablet full within 3 hours.

If you plan to buy one test it there at the shop so that way you know that they get it and it was a good one.
 

RandomName said:
Hi. I have 3 ethernet cables, one is brand new. They snap in securely, but the computer says no cable is there. Took the pc to a repair shop to test it, and the cable they had worked, ie, it connected to the internet (which I can't do at home). I noticed their cable looked larger, and it slipped out of the ethernet port too easily, ie, you could pull gently on the wire without squeezing the tab, and it came out, which is unusual. The repair shop guy blamed that on my port being defective somehow. Nonetheless, their cable connected me to the internet.

All 3 of my own cables snap in securely and you can't just pull them out without squeezing the tab. It's just this one port on this one pc. I can hook the cable to another pc, and get internet just fine. I guess the repair shop has a magic, loose-fitting cable that works on everything, right? lol. At my wit's end. Only thing I can think of is to buy one of their cables, lol.

I should mention that this problem started recently, beforewhich all was well.
Click to expand...
The port being on your router? Did you try another port? Do you have another computer to test your router with?
 
Rich said:
That's a strange one, it works at the repair shop with one of their cables but not with any of your cables. It certainly sounds like it might be a bad RJ45 port. Do you have a USB C port that you can use? If so you can use a USB C to Ethernet cable or an adapter (USB C to Ethernet) and connect to your internet via the USB C port.
View attachment 442218
Click to expand...

I have USB-A ports available on my pc. I talked to the repair shop guy about it. That was actually the reason I had my pc at the repair shop. I wanted him to test the TP-link adapter on site there, so he could add any drivers himself. I don't like messing around finding drivers. It never works for me, somehow, lol. He had a TP-link adapter for ethernet to usb-a which I almost bought, before I saw that I might not need it. He said it contained firmware inside that would have any drivers I needed. Supposedly plug and play. Might go back with the pc again and have him test out the adapter fix idea. He wants $30 for the adapter, which is almost 3 times the retail price, but at least he is providing tech support, so I think it's worth it. He says the adapter is plug and play, but It's an old eMachine and who knows what drivers it needs, right?
 
RandomName said:
I have USB-A ports available on my pc. I talked to the repair shop guy about it. That was actually the reason I had my pc at the repair shop. I wanted him to test the TP-link adapter on site there, so he could add any drivers himself. I don't like messing around finding drivers. It never works for me, somehow, lol. He had a TP-link adapter for ethernet to usb-a which I almost bought, before I saw that I might not need it. He said it contained firmware inside that would have any drivers I needed. Supposedly plug and play. Might go back with the pc again and have him test out the adapter fix idea. He wants $30 for the adapter, which is almost 3 times the retail price, but at least he is providing tech support, so I think it's worth it. He says the adapter is plug and play, but It's an old eMachine and who knows what drivers it needs, right?
Click to expand...
It would likely work plug & play but I totally understand your position. Far too many things that should be simple on a PC are not.
 
Nathan said:
The port being on your router? Did you try another port? Do you have another computer to test your router with?
Click to expand...

Thanks, Nathan. The port being on my pc. I don't have a router. Just a coax internet cable coming out of wall into modem, then an ethernet cable going from modem to a pc.

I do have another computer, and all my cables work when I plug them into the ethernet port on it.
 
RandomName said:
Hi. I have 3 ethernet cables, one is brand new. They snap in securely, but the computer says no cable is there. Took the pc to a repair shop to test it, and the cable they had worked, ie, it connected to the internet (which I can't do at home). I noticed their cable looked larger, and it slipped out of the ethernet port too easily, ie, you could pull gently on the wire without squeezing the tab, and it came out, which is unusual. The repair shop guy blamed that on my port being defective somehow. Nonetheless, their cable connected me to the internet.

All 3 of my own cables snap in securely and you can't just pull them out without squeezing the tab. It's just this one port on this one pc. I can hook the cable to another pc, and get internet just fine. I guess the repair shop has a magic, loose-fitting cable that works on everything, right? lol. At my wit's end. Only thing I can think of is to buy one of their cables, lol.

I should mention that this problem started recently, beforewhich all was well.
Click to expand...
I don't know how many slots you have but I always put mine in the first one if it's the only one plugged in. Not sure if it matters. Also you might check for dust in the slots on both the router and the pc.
 
I would break the tab off one end of one Ethernet cable
and try to wiggle it after it is plugged in, if it works when
You lift it, then try and gently wedge the plug in position,
maybe with some folded paper.

Good luck.

Mike.
 
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