How to Keep Ethernet Cord from Falling Out? (Best Methods)

Wondering how to keep Ethernet cord from falling out? We have the answers for you!

You must always be dealing with a lot of bad luck to have your networking cables fail on you and slip out the ports.

It’s a frustrating problem since it can directly disrupt your work or entertainment since your internet will likely disconnect.

If you’re always dealing with this problem, there are proven methods you can try. You can push your device up against the wall, so the cable does not accidentally slip out. Another solution would be to wrap the connector with masking tape to increase the friction when inserting it into the port.

You can surely fix it without calling a tech. But before we do that, let’s look at some of the reasons why it happens so you can prevent it from happening.

How to Keep Ethernet Cable from Falling Out? Why it Happens

It’s not every day you will experience this issue where a part of your Ethernet connector breaks, causing the cable to fall off constantly.

Dealing with a loose line means your internet connectivity will be incredibly unpredictable.

Here are the reasons why this can happen to your connectors, leaving you suffering from intermittent internet:

1. Bad Wiring Design

Bad wiring positioning is one cause of your Ethernet connectors breaking. The cables might be awkwardly positioned, exerting unnecessary force on the connector allowing it to come loose.

2. Brittle Connector

Sometimes, it’s as simple as getting dealt bad components. Since the connectors are made of plastic, they can get brittle and loose.

3. Old Cables

If you continue to use older Ethernet cables, the connectors can get soft and lose their ability to hold on to the port.

4. Cleaning Accident

A wrong pull on your cable while cleaning your network setup can ruin the connectors and break the pin that locks it into the port.

These are the main causes of why your Ethernet cables come loose.

Now that you know how to prevent this from happening, we can now proceed to the solutions so you can get your internet up and running again.

Best Ways on How to Keep Ethernet Cord from Falling Out?

Of course, the best way to deal with this issue would be to re-crimp the cable with a new connector.

However, it does require some technical expertise, so that’s not going to be an option for you.

Before we head on and attempt these troubleshooting steps, some quick-fix solutions would be to put your device against the wall to press the cable in.

This will prevent it from falling off and ruining your internet.

In case that doesn’t work for you, let’s look at some more ways to secure your cable to the port:

Solution #1: Use an Adhesive Putty Like Blu-Tac

You might have some Blu-Tac or adhesive putty lying around the house for some of your DIY projects.

It’s a material you can quickly squeeze into the connector, so it seats tightly onto the port. This is helpful, especially if the latch is broken and the connector can easily dislodge.

Here’s how to use an adhesive putty on your Ethernet cable connector:

1. Examine your connector and clean unwanted debris.
2. Get a small amount of sticky putty.
3. Place it on the spot where the latch is supposed to be.
4. Insert the connector to wedge the putty into the port.

Note: This quick fix will last you until you get a replacement cable.

Solution #2: Use an Ethernet Coupler or Extension

If you want a more permanent solution to your issue, you can get an Ethernet coupler or extension. This will be a more affordable alternative to replace networking cables that are incredibly long.

If you feel like replacing it is more of a hassle, using a coupler allows you to think of the last yard or so that connects to the port.

Here’s how to use an Ethernet coupler to fix your Ethernet cord from falling out:

1. Connect the cable with the broken connector to the coupler.
2. Glue or use tape to secure it into the port of the coupler.
3. Plug the short Ethernet cable to the other end of the coupler.
4. Insert the other end of your new cable to the port on your device.

Pro Tip: Some couplers can plug into a USB port. If this is the case, you don’t need to get an extra Ethernet cable.

Solution #3: Repair with a Zip Tie

If you think you know all the uses for the zip tie, there’s one more thing you can add to that list. You can consider this as some sort of a MacGyver solution since it’s so ingenious.

Although this is not the solution of choice for offices, this is more than enough for your home.

Before you do anything, you want to collect your materials for this DIY latch. You only really need two zip ties and something to cut it. That’s it!

Here’s how to replace the latch of your Ethernet connector with zip ties:

1. Grab zip tie #1 and cut it to about 2 inches in length.
2. Bend it forward to act as the new latch of your connector.
3. Using zip tie #2, tie down the other zip tie at the base of the connector.
4. Tighten zip tie #2 and adjust the first zip tie, so it acts as a latch.
5. Plug your repaired connector into an Ethernet port.

Note: This is a temporary fix at best, so you can run to your nearest computer store and look for more permanent solutions like Solution #5.

Solution #4: Fix with Masking Tape

Even something as simple as tape can help you keep your ethernet cord from falling out.

The premise of this fix is to have enough friction between the connector and the port, so it does not slip out.

Now, this is not the most permanent or elegant of solutions. It works when you’re in a bind and simply want to secure your connector to the port.

Here’s how to use a masking tape to keep the Ethernet cable from falling out:

1. Get the end of the Ethernet cable with the broken connector.
2. Wrap the connector with masking tape.
3. Try with three layers of tape.
4. Check the fit of the connector with the port.
5. Add or remove tape depending on how tight the fit is.

Tip: Make sure not to cover the gold contacts, so your internet is not disrupted.

Solution #5: Use an RJ45 Connector Clip

If you’re looking for a more permanent solution, there are products that you can get that should do the trick.

The best part of these products is that they’re incredibly affordable and cost no more than a couple of bucks.

So, the next time you get a broken latch on one of your connectors and have some of these clips lying around, you’re not going to panic.

Here’s how to use an RJ45 connector clip:

1. Get your replacement clip ready.
2. Hold the end of the Ethernet cable with a broken latch.
3. Insert the bottom piece of the replacement clip into the cable.
4. Clip on the top part.
5. Check the fit on your Ethernet port.

That’s it!

Of course, you can always replace the Ethernet cable. However, this will only come in handy if the cord you’re replacing will not require much work.

If the cable is short enough and you don’t need to fasten it on the walls and ceilings, it is an acceptable solution.

Read Next: Can I Use Ethernet and WiFi at the Same Time?

Bottom Line

Now that you have an excellent understanding of how to keep Ethernet cord from falling out, you’re ready to face it when it happens.

You can always call a friend with technical expertise or get help from experts if you want to re-crimp or replace your networking cables.