Modern laptops and ultrabooks often have only one network port or none at all, relying solely on wireless modules. However, owners of desktop PCs and gaming laptops often encounter situations where the system stubbornly prefers a wired connection. Ethernet, ignoring faster or more stable WiFi Signal. The default behavior of Microsoft's operating system is based on reliability logic: a wired connection is considered more stable by default, so it is assigned the highest routing priority.
This balance of power can be changed without third-party software by accessing the protocol's deep settings. TCP/IPThe user will need to manually redistribute the "metric" of the interfaces, forcing Windows 10 Consider a wireless connection the preferred method for data transfer. This is especially true if your router distributes internet over the air at gigabit speeds, but your computer's network card is limited to an older standard or is physically damaged.
The setup process doesn't require programming skills, but it does require careful attention to the numerical values in the system windows. A single error can lead to a complete loss of access to the global network. In this article, we'll walk you through a step-by-step procedure that will allow you to force traffic to switch to the wireless adapter while maintaining the option of using the cable as a backup channel.
How network priorities work in Windows
The operating system uses a special algorithm to determine which interface to send requests through. This parameter is called interface metricsThe lower the metric value, the higher the connection priority in the system's eyes. By default Windows automatically assigns a metric based on the link speed: a Gigabit Ethernet channel gets a lower number than a WiFi channel, even if the actual wireless network throughput is higher due to the router's features.
When you connect a cable, the system instantly registers a new route with a lower metric and redirects all traffic there. To do this WiFi is the main one, we need to artificially lower the metric for the wireless adapter and increase it for the wired one. This will force the routing table to select the wireless gateway first, and only use the cable if it's unavailable or if selected manually.
⚠️ Attention: Manually changing metrics may temporarily interrupt your connection. If your internet connection stops working after configuring these settings, reset the metric to "Automatic" in the adapter properties.
It's important to understand that we're not physically disabling the network card, but merely changing the logical order in which it's accessed. This allows for hybrid connection schemes, where critical traffic goes through one channel and background downloads through another, albeit within the same application. Windows typically uses one active default gateway.
Preparing to change network settings
Before making any changes to the registry or adapter properties, you need to obtain accurate information about the current configuration. We'll need to know the exact name of the network connection and its current status. Open a command prompt by entering cmd in the Start menu and run it as an administrator. This is a mandatory requirement, as standard users don't have permission to change system metrics.
In the window that opens, enter the command ipconfig /allYou will see a list of all network interfaces. Find the block corresponding to your wireless connection (usually contains the word Wireless or Wi-Fi), and a block with a wired connection (Ethernet). Write down or remember the exact names, as they may look different in the graphical interface, for example, "Wireless Network" or "Local Area Connection".
☑️ Check before setup
It's also worth checking your drivers. Outdated software for WiFi adapter may ignore system priority settings. Go to Device Manager via devmgmt.msc, locate your network adapters, and make sure there are no yellow exclamation marks on the wireless card icon. If the driver is marked as outdated, it's best to first update it from the manufacturer's website before adjusting the metrics.
Configuring TCP/IP metrics for a WiFi adapter
Now let's move on to changing priorities directly. Press the key combination Win + R, enter ncpa.cpl and press Enter. The Network Connections window will open. Find your wireless adapter, 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.
In the window that opens, click the "Advanced" button in the lower right corner. Uncheck "Automatically assign metrics." Enter the value in the "Interface metric" field that appears. 10This is a very low number, which ensures that this interface will be considered the fastest and most reliable path by the system. Click "OK" to save the settings.
After that, repeat the same steps for your wired adapter (Ethernet). The only difference will be the metric value. For a cable, set the value to, for example, 100 or 200The key is that the number for the wired connection is significantly higher than the number for WiFi. After applying the settings, the system may disconnect for a second to recalculate the routing table.
| Parameter | WiFi Adapter | Ethernet Adapter | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Interface metrics | 10 | 100 | WiFi has priority |
| Interface metrics | Automatically | Automatically | Ethernet has priority |
| Interface metrics | 50 | 20 | Ethernet has priority |
| Interface metrics | 1 | 999 | Hard WiFi priority |
It's worth noting that the metric values are relative. You can use 10 and 100, or 100 and 1000—the order is what matters. However, using very large numbers (closer to the 65535 limit) is not recommended, as this may conflict with static routes defined by the provider or corporate security policies.
Managing the order of network adapters
IN Windows 10 There's a hidden menu that allows you to visually determine the network preference order. It's called "Advanced Options." To get there, open the Connections window again (ncpa.cpl), press the key Altto bring up the top menu bar and select "Advanced" -> "Advanced Options".
In the list that opens, you'll see adapters sorted by priority. The one higher in the list takes precedence. If your wireless adapter is below the wired one, select it and use the up arrows (or plus/minus buttons, depending on the interface version) to move it to the top position. This duplicates the metrics setting, but can sometimes be useful for visual verification.
What to do if the adapter list is empty?
If the Advanced Settings window displays only one adapter, or the list is empty, this means the other interfaces are disabled or don't have an active IP address. Ensure both adapters (WiFi and Ethernet) are physically connected and receiving IP addresses (status "Connected").
Some users prefer to use the command line for this operation, as it gives more detailed control. Command netsh interface ip show config will display the current configuration. To change the order via the console, you will need to use the command set interface, however, the graphical method through ncpa.cpl in modern versions Windows 10 works more stable and is more understandable for most users.
⚠️ Attention: Changes to the adapter order take effect immediately, but some applications running before the setting change may continue to use the old route until they are restarted.
Using the Command Prompt for Advanced Users
For those who prefer CLI (command line interface) graphical shells, there is a powerful tool netshIt allows you to manage network settings with bit-by-bit precision. First, you need to find out the interface index. Enter the command:
netsh interface ipv4 show interfacesYou will see a list with columns. Idx, Met, MTU, State And NameFind the index (Idx) of your WiFi connection. Let's say it's number 15. To set its metric to 10, use the following:
netsh interface ipv4 set interface 15 metric=10We do the same with the Ethernet cable. If its index is, for example, 12, the command will look like this:
netsh interface ipv4 set interface 12 metric=100The advantage of the method is through netsh is the ability to quickly reset the settings. If something goes wrong, just enter the command with the parameter metric=automaticto return control to the system. This method is also convenient for creating automation scripts if you frequently switch between different network environments.
Diagnostics and verification of results
After making all the changes, you need to make sure that the system actually started to use WiFi as the default gateway. The easiest way is to run traffic monitoring. Open Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc), go to the Performance tab and watch the WiFi and Ethernet graphs while you actively download a file or watch a high-definition video.
If the setup was successful, the activity graph on the wireless adapter will show traffic spikes, while the wired interface will remain virtually quiet (except for background service packets). You can also use the command route print on the command line. At the top of the routing table (Active Routes) you should see that the default gateway (0.0.0.0) is associated with the IP address of your WiFi router.
In some cases, you may need to clear the DNS cache and reset the TCP/IP stack for the changes to apply correctly. To do this, run the following commands:
- 🔄
ipconfig /flushdns— clearing the DNS cache. - 🔄
netsh int ip reset— reset TCP/IP protocol. - 🔄
netsh winsock reset— reset Winsock catalog.
After running these commands, you must reboot the computer. This ensures that all new metric values are applied and the operating system's network stack is updated.
Possible problems and solutions
Despite the simplicity of the instructions, users may encounter a number of specific issues. For example, after setting WiFi priority, internet may completely disappear. This often happens if the WiFi signal is weaker than expected, or if the router can't handle the load previously handled by a stable cable. In such a system, a metric of 10 will force the computer to stubbornly stick to the unstable WiFi, ignoring the working Ethernet connection.
Another common issue is a conflict of IP addresses or gateway settings if both adapters receive addresses from different DHCP servers (for example, one from the main router, the other from a second device in access point mode). In this case, Windows may behave unpredictably, constantly switching between interfaces, which causes "lags" in the network.
⚠️ Attention: If you're using a corporate network or specific remote access software (VPN, Citrix), manually changing metrics may disrupt secure tunnels. Review your organization's policies before making changes.
It is also worth considering that some network card drivers have their own management utilities (for example, Intel PROSet or Realtek Gaming LAN Manager), which can hijack priority control from Windows. In such cases, settings within the operating system itself may be ignored. Check the software installed by the network card manufacturer.
Why is WiFi speed slower than cable, even with priority?
The physics of a wireless signal limits maximum speed. Even with priority 1, WiFi 5 (ac) rarely delivers more than 400-500 Mbps in real-world use due to loss, interference, and half-duplex operation, while a Gigabit Ethernet cable maintains a stable 940+ Mbps.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is it possible to completely disable Ethernet when WiFi is connected so as not to have to adjust metrics?
Yes, this is the most radical method. You can physically disconnect the cable or programmatically disable the adapter in the window. ncpa.cpl (Right-click -> "Disable"). However, this deprives you of a backup channel. Configuring metrics is preferable, as it preserves network redundancy.
Are metric settings reset after restarting the computer?
No, if you set a specific numeric value (for example, 10), it is stored in the Windows registry and remains in effect until you manually change the value back to "Automatic." Restarting does not reset these settings.
Does priority affect game speed (Ping) over WiFi?
Priority only affects interface selection. If the WiFi signal is weak or noisy, a high priority won't improve ping, but will only force the game to run over an unstable connection instead of a stable cable. For gaming, a physical cable is always preferable.
How do I reset all my settings back?
Simply repeat the path to the IPv4 properties of both adapters and check the "Automatically assign metrics" box. The system will automatically determine the optimal values, returning priority to the default wired connection.