Internet browser faster over WiFi than Ethernet connection

TELLIT01

I normally use WiFi for internet access but as the laptop is currently sat beside the router it seemed to make sense to connect it via Ethernet.  Oddly, the pages seem to refresh more slowly with Ethernet connected than without?  Is there any logic to that, or any settings I need to look at?  I can't disable WiFi as I need it for printing.

Neil_Jones

What do you mean you need Wi-Fi  for printing?

If your printer is connected wirelessly it'll be to your router, not your computer.  So any connection to the printer will be via the router, whether its connected by wireless, cable, carrier pigeon...

[Deleted User]

TELLIT01 said:

I normally use WiFi for internet access but as the laptop is currently sat beside the router it seemed to make sense to connect it via Ethernet.  Oddly, the pages seem to refresh more slowly with Ethernet connected than without?  Is there any logic to that, or any settings I need to look at?  I can't disable WiFi as I need it for printing.

Impossible to say unless you specify what equipment / cable / network speeds / broadband speed.

If you are using a 100Mb ethernet, or the cable is dodgy then wifi is potentially faster if your broadband is faster than 100Mb but all I can do is guess.

flaneurs_lobster

Neil_Jones said:

What do you mean you need Wi-Fi  for printing?

If your printer is connected wirelessly it'll be to your router, not your computer.  So any connection to the printer will be via the router, whether its connected by wireless, cable, carrier pigeon...

Er, Wi-Fi Direct, wireless connection between computer and printer not via router. 

victor2

flaneurs_lobster said:

Neil_Jones said:

What do you mean you need Wi-Fi  for printing?

If your printer is connected wirelessly it'll be to your router, not your computer.  So any connection to the printer will be via the router, whether its connected by wireless, cable, carrier pigeon...

Er, Wi-Fi Direct, wireless connection between computer and printer not via router. 

Not if he normally connects to the internet via WiFi.

debitcardmayhem

flaneurs_lobster said:

Neil_Jones said:

What do you mean you need Wi-Fi  for printing?

If your printer is connected wirelessly it'll be to your router, not your computer.  So any connection to the printer will be via the router, whether its connected by wireless, cable, carrier pigeon...

Er, Wi-Fi Direct, wireless connection between computer and printer not via router. 

Ermmmm how do you load internet pages etc if you are on Wi-Fi direct then?

flaneurs_lobster

Printer <--------> PC <--------> Router <------> internet
       Wi-Fi Direct       Ethernet             IP Stuff

All at the same time

debitcardmayhem

flaneurs_lobster said:

Printer <--------> PC <--------> Router <------> internet
       Wi-Fi Direct       Ethernet             IP Stuff

All at the same time

So how does that compute with the op saying wifi is faster than ethernet for loading pages etc come on think about it?? they don't need wifi to print, which is what Neil said before you threw your hat in the ring.

flaneurs_lobster

Sorry, off-topic musings on the myriad ways of setting up a home network. 

What @[Deleted User] said, not enough information about kit / internet service to offer suggestions. 

TELLIT01

Looks like I've opened a can of worms here.  I've no idea what the ethernet cable is rated at but it has 'rated for gigabit ethernet' on it.  BT Internet with 70mbps download and 20 upload.  Running Windows 10.

When I mentioned not being able to switch off wifi on the computer I assumed that as the printer connects wirelessly, I wouldn't be able to link to it if wifi was off on the computer.  Am I wrong?

victor2

Run an internet speed test (many free services available) both with and without the cable to see if there is any difference reported.

If the ethernet connection is indeed slower, you can then concentrate on the associated hardware.

As for the printer, switch off your laptop's WiFi and try printing.