Netgear Router Not Recognizing Ethernet Cable? Quick Fix Guide

Since users complained of their Netgear router not recognizing Ethernet cable, we’ve decided to create this quick fix guide to answer all of your inquiries regarding the issue.

With the assistance of our troubleshooting methods, you won’t have trouble resolving the issue once and for all.

If your Netgear router doesn’t recognize a plugged-in Ethernet cable, it is possible that there is an issue with the cable itself or the slot on your router. It is important to ensure the third-party device is functional and that you have a reliable internet connection on your network.

Before we jump into the solutions, let’s first take a look at why would your Netgear router stop recognizing an Ethernet cable.

Why Is Netgear Router Not Detecting Ethernet Cable When Plugged In?

For this issue, there are usually 3 components of your configuration that should be put into consideration.

Your PC or device you have the Ethernet cable connection, your Netgear router, and the Ethernet cable itself.

Now here are the causes based on those three components, describing what might have gone wrong:

1. Faulty slot – If you’ve pressured the slot in the past, it is possible that you broke its insides or one of the plates that essentially hold the cable when plugged in.

2. Problem with router – If your router doesn’t recognize the cable, it may be a software or hardware issue.

3. No connection – Without a flowing internet connection, you won’t be able to tell whether your router doesn’t recognize the cable or you simply have no internet.

4. Faulty cable – At last, a faulty cable is the most generic occasion in this issue.

That was pretty much all of the things that could have gone wrong with your configuration. Next, we’ll focus on resolving them so let’ jump right in.

How To Fix My Netgear Router Not Recognizing Ethernet Cable Issue?

A quick reminder before you apply any of the suggestions below is to ensure your setup is up and running.

In case your third-party device where you have the cable plugged in is not functional, your router won’t recognize the cable either. In that regard make sure your configuration is functional before proceeding.

Without any further ado, here are the best troubleshooting tips recommended by the users.

Fix #1 Run Ethernet Cable Scan On Windows

In case you don’t see the Ethernet cable on your PC, you can run a quick scan check to ensure if everything is alright.

But however, this method is proven to work on Windows 7 and above, so we can’t guarantee if it is going to work for you, in case you’re using macOS or Linux.

How To Open Ethernet Settings?

To access the scan, press the Windows button once and write down Ethernet settings. This should send you to the Ethernet tab in your settings where the only thing you will see on the tab is the Network status.

How To Run Ethernet Scan Check?

Once in the Ethernet settings, underneath the network status, it will either say connected/disconnected depending on your internet situation. If it says disconnect, click on the network status once and a troubleshooting window will pop up.

Click on Begin and wait for several minutes. This run should be able to tell you whether there is a hardware problem with the cable or something faulty with your network settings.

Fix #2 Inspect Ethernet Cable

Over time, your Ethernet cable may become loose, causing your Netgear router to not detect it. This can frequently occur, especially if the little glass latch on the cable is being pressured or broken.

First, ensure you’ve plugged it tightly both into your device and the Netgear router. If that doesn’t help, unplug it from your PC and try switching it’s ends.

At last you can hook up another Ethernet cable to justify this theory and realize if yours is working or not.

Note: If the cable turns out functional, you will be looking for the issue within your device.

Fix #3 Plug Ethernet Into A Different Slot Router Slot

If you’ve ensured that your Ethernet cable is functional, perhaps the issue could be with the slot you had the cable plugged in.

If you’ve inserted cables into that slot with pressure in the past, it is possible that you’ve caused hardware damage to the slot, making it unfunctional.

Upon establishing your network and configuration, manufacturers would plug the Ethernet cable into one of the yellow slots.

Usually, there are 4 yellow slots and 1 blue slot, but you try with each of the yellow slots to see when your cable will work.

Note: Another way you can figure out if the slots work is by calling your ISP (Internet Service Provider).

Simply connect the cable into one of the slots and your service providers will be able to tell you whether the cable is detected or not.

Fix #4 Plug Ethernet Cable Into A Different PC Slot

If you have the Ethernet cable connected to a PC, it is possible that the hardware Ethernet cable slot has worn out, making the cable unrecognizable by both your PC and router.

Since it really depends on your PC box whether you are going to have extra Ethernet cable slots, we can only recommend checking for ones.

If you have found extra slots, then you should try plugging the Ethernet cable into a different slot to see if that will help.

Note: If you’ve plugged the Ethernet cable into a different slot, you will have to go through the Ethernet installation process again.

Fix #5 Check For Internet Connection

If your Netgear router is not recognizing Ethernet cable, then you probably don’t have a flowing internet connection within your network.

This frequently deceives users into thinking that there is something wrong within their configuration, while the internet in your network has stopped.

Why Has The Internet On My Network Has Stopped?

It is possible that you haven’t paid the subscription or there is an outage or maintenance going within your manufacturer’s headquarters.

Note that if the problem is with your ISP, you can always call them to confirm the situation.

How Do I Fix My Internet?

You can try rebooting and power cycling your Netgear router to see if that will help. Sometimes a reboot is all it takes to fix the missing internet connection within your network, so try that.

Fix #6 Use WiFi (Optional)

If you have reached out to your supplier and it turns out that there is nothing wrong and the issue is on your side, there is a possibility that your router’s Ethernet functionality is gone.

In that case, as a temporary solution, you can use the WiFi of your router as it is not related to the Ethernet functionality.

If there is internet on your Netgear router WiFi, then this tightens the circle enough to conclude that the issue is either with the cable or the router slot.

To resolve hardware issues you should turn in your router for an inspection and hopefully repair.

If your Netgear router doesn’t recognize your Ethernet cable, you can try power cycling both your PC and router to inspect the Ethernet cable for issues.

Then, ensure you have an internet connection, plug the Ethernet cable into a different slot on your router and PC and at last, contact your ISP in case there is maintenance.

Read Next: How to Fix Netgear Router Factory Reset Not Working?

Last Thoughts

Now that you know why your Netgear router is not recognizing Ethernet cable, you should be able to easily troubleshoot the issue down following our easy fixes.

In the end, maybe it is best to advise your ISP in case there is something terminally wrong, they will know for sure!

If that guideline helped you, don’t miss out on more troubleshooting posts and visit our technical blog!