Modern laptops and desktop computers often have access to two types of network connections simultaneously: wired Ethernet and wireless Wi-FiBy default, the Windows 10 operating system attempts to automatically determine the most efficient data transfer path, but this algorithm doesn't always meet user expectations. In some cases, the system may ignore a fast cable and use a slow wireless signal, resulting in lag in games or video buffering.
The problem isn't solved by disabling one of the adapters, but by properly configuring their priorities. This allows you to leave both interfaces active for redundancy, but force traffic through the more reliable channel. In this article, we'll cover in detail how to change the interface metric and force Windows to prioritize the wired connection.
Manipulating network settings requires attention to detail, but isn't particularly difficult. You won't need any third-party programs or administrator privileges beyond those already granted to the user. A few steps in the standard system interface are enough to optimize network performance.
Why do I need to change the connection priority?
The main reason for manual configuration lies in the logic of the protocol stack. TCP/IPWindows assigns a numerical value, called a metric, to each active network interface. The lower the number, the higher the connection priority. If the metrics are identical or are determined incorrectly, the system may choose Wi-Fi instead of a cable, even if the latter provides higher speed and stability
The situation is exacerbated when the wireless signal is weak, but the adapter maintains the connection, blocking the switch to the wired network. This often occurs in densely populated offices or apartments where the router is located far from the workstation. Forced priority reassignment ensures that critical tasks, such as video conferencing or downloading large files, are performed over the fastest connection.
⚠️ Please note: Changing metrics does not speed up the internet itself. If your provider offers low speeds, adjusting the priority will only reroute the data flow but will not change your plan.
Additionally, traffic separation allows one interface to be used for access to the enterprise's local network and the other for access to the global network, if required by corporate security policy. Understanding how it works routing, gives the user complete control over the device's network activity.
Checking the current network status
Before making any changes, you should evaluate your current configuration. This will help you understand which interface is currently the primary interface and what metric values are set by the system by default. To get started, open a command prompt by entering cmd in the Start menu search.
In the window that opens, enter the command ipconfig and press Enter. You'll see a list of all network adapters. Find the "Ethernet Adapter" and "Wireless LAN Adapter" sections. Look for the "Default Gateway" line and the presence of an IP address. If there are no addresses, the connection is not active.
How to find out the gateway IP address?
The default gateway is your router's address on the local network. It usually looks like 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1. Remember this address; you may need it to access your router's settings if you need to change DHCP settings.
It is also useful to run the command route printIn the "Interface List" section, you'll see your adapter numbers, and in the "Active Routes" table, you'll see their priorities. The row labeled 0.0.0.0 Specifies the default gateway. If there are multiple such lines, Windows uses the metric to select the path.
Changing interface metrics via adapter properties
The most reliable way to change the priority is to manually set the metric for each adapter. To do this, press the key combination Win + R, enter ncpa.cpl and press Enter. The Network Connections window will open, displaying all available interfaces.
Find your wired adapter (usually labeled "Ethernet"), right-click it, and select "Properties." In the list of components, find the line "Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)," select it, and click "Properties" again.
☑️ Setting Ethernet Priority
In the window that opens, click the "Advanced" button in the lower right corner. Uncheck "Automatically assign metrics." In the "Interface metric" field, enter the value 10The lower the number, the higher the priority. Click OK in all windows.
Now repeat the same steps for the wireless adapter. Wi-Fi. However, in the "Interface Metric" field, specify a higher value, for example, 50 or 100This way, the system will always choose cable (metric 10) over wireless (metric 50) if both connections are active.
| Connection type | Recommended metric | Priority | Stability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ethernet (Cable) | 10 | High | Maximum |
| Wi-Fi (5 GHz) | 20 | Average | High |
| Wi-Fi (2.4 GHz) | 50 | Short | Average |
| Mobile hotspot | 100 | Spare | Low |
Setting priority via the Windows registry
For experienced users, there is an alternative method for changing settings through the system registry. This method allows you to apply changes centrally, but requires more caution. Open the registry editor by entering regedit in the Run window.
Follow the path HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\Tcpip\Parameters\InterfacesHere you'll find several folders named using GUIDs (character strings). Find the one with your IP address.
Inside the desired folder, create or modify the parameter InterfaceMetric type DWORD (32 bits)Set the value to match your desired priority. For example, 10 for cable and 50 for Wi-Fi. After making changes, you must restart your computer.
⚠️ Warning: Editing the registry may cause system instability if errors occur. We recommend creating a restore point or exporting the current registry branch before making changes.
Using the registry is especially useful when configuring multiple computers in a corporate environment via Group Policy, where the graphical interface may not be available or may be limited by user rights.
Using the command line to manage routes
The third level of control over the network is manual management of the routing table using a utility routeThis method allows you to set priority not just for an interface, but for specific IP address ranges. Open a command prompt as administrator.
To see the current route table, enter route printFind the line 0.0.0.0 with a mask 0.0.0.0This is the default route. The number in the "Metric" column indicates the priority. If there are two routes, Windows chooses the one with the lower interface metric.
route delete 0.0.0.0
route add 0.0.0.0 mask 0.0.0.0 192.168.1.1 metric 10 if 25
In the example given, we delete the old default route and create a new one specifying the gateway (192.168.1.1), metric (10) and interface index (if 25). The interface index can be found using the command route print at the top of the output.
This method is the most flexible, as it allows you to route traffic to specific servers via Wi-Fi and the rest of the internet via cable. However, the commands route add are not saved after reboot if you do not use the key -p (persistent).
Solving typical problems and conflicts
After changing settings, users may encounter a situation where the internet stops working. This is most often caused by an IP address conflict or an incorrectly specified gateway. Ensure that the TCP/IPv4 properties are set to obtain an IP address automatically if you are not using static addressing.
Another common issue is "ghost" connections. Windows may consider the network "Public" and block access to resources. Check the network type in the settings: Settings → Network & Internet → StatusChange the profile to "Private" if you trust this network.
If the metrics are set correctly but the priority isn't changing, try resetting the TCP/IP stack. In an elevated command prompt, run:
netsh int ip resetnetsh winsock reset
ipconfig /flushdns
After running these commands, be sure to restart your computer. This will flush the DNS cache and reset socket settings, which often resolves issues with switching between Wi-Fi and Ethernet.
⚠️ Note: Network settings interfaces may vary slightly between different Windows 10 and Windows 11 builds. If you can't find the option, use the search in system settings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does changing the metric affect internet speed?
The metric itself doesn't increase channel throughput. It only tells the system which interface to use first. If you switch from slow Wi-Fi to fast Ethernet by changing the metric, the speed will increase, but this is due to the cable, not the settings.
Is it possible to use Wi-Fi and Ethernet at the same time for different tasks?
Yes, this is possible. By setting up static routes using the command route, you can route corporate network traffic via cable and access entertainment resources via Wi-Fi. This requires knowledge of the IP addresses of the target servers.
Will the priority setting reset after a Windows update?
Settings made through the adapter properties graphical interface (method with ncpa.cpl), are usually preserved. However, major system or driver updates may revert to automatic metric assignment, so it's a good idea to check your settings after the update.
What should I do if the Internet connection disappears after changing the priority?
Restore automatic metric assignment in TCP/IPv4 properties. If this doesn't help, reset the network in Windows settings or use the commands netsh to reset the protocol stack as described in the troubleshooting section.