How to connect laptop to internet without ethernet port

How to connect ethernet cable to laptop without ethernet port? For a faster connection, you should have to purchase a USB 3.0 that performed faster than USB 2.0, but it is slightly expensive. You can purchase a USB 3.0 Ethernet adapter if your laptop has a USB 3.0 port. Otherwise, it will not be compatible.

A few years ago, that was a time when laptops were larger in size, heavy, and all the ports were standard. Nowadays, laptops are trending toward thinner models that are attractive, lighter in weight, and have all those features you need in your laptop. If you are buying a new slim and small-sized shiny laptop, you are losing a DVD drive (No one uses it anymore) and some important ports like Ethernet jack.

If you are trusted on your Wi-Fi and not using an Ethernet jack for an internet connection, that doesn’t mean you have to go without Ethernet.

Go through this document we will show you how to connect Ethernet cable to the laptop if your laptop has no ethernet port to even the most razor-thin laptop.

We have received a query from our regular reader John Smith related to the topic above. He says:

So, that was the problem which John Smith was facing. But our experts always have a solution for the choirs that they receive from the people. So let me start with the solution to the problem.

How to connect Ethernet cable to a laptop without an Ethernet port?

If you rely on Wi-Fi day-to-day, but in conditions where Wi-Fi is not available or weak, 3.0 USB, 3.1, or USB-C to Gigabit Ethernet Adapter can be used to get the signal you need.

USB 3.0 to Gigabit Ethernet Adapter

USB 3.0 Ethernet Adapter comes into different varieties that you can purchase from the market. Some are expensive, and some are cheaper, but there is a performance difference between different varieties. If you are working with a tight budget, go for the USB 2.0 adapter available for $10 to $25.

For a faster connection, you should have to purchase a USB 3.0 that performed faster than USB 2.0, but it is slightly expensive. You can purchase a USB 3.0 Ethernet adapter if your laptop has a USB 3.0 port; otherwise, it will not be compatible.

If you are using an operating system other than windows on your MacBook or laptop, make sure your operating system supports the USB adapter you will purchase.

How to connect USB Gigabit Ethernet Adapter

USB Ethernet adapter features a USB male connector on one side and a female RJ45 port on the other side. It allows you to convert your USB port into an Ethernet port. This will let you connect to the internet through your USB port.

If you have a USB 3.0 adapter, make sure you connect the adapter to the USB 3.0 port on your laptop.

Some of the USB adapters have plug and play but some require drivers. So, download the drivers if your adapter does not install it automatically. To download the driver, you should have to go to the manufacturer’s website or find the driver’s CD/DVD inside the packing.

Connect an Ethernet Cable to USB Adapter

After connecting the USB Gigabit Ethernet Adapter to the laptop and installing the drivers, now it’s time to connect the Ethernet cable to the adapter. When you connect the Ethernet cable to the adapter’s RJ 45 port, the internet will be connected to your laptop.

Why is the Ethernet connection important?

Even your wireless internet connection is working perfect, but there are some situations where you will miss an Ethernet connection:

Weak Wi-Fi Signals

You are in your company’s conference room and ready to wrap up your new invention presentation with a web-based demo. You have connected your laptop with the wireless network. Unfortunately, if your wireless connection drops down the signal during the presentation, you can miss an Ethernet connection.

Signal Strength

You have installed all the required drivers for Wi-Fi connection on your laptop, but your setting is too far from the nearest wireless access point to get a good signal.

Now you have complete knowledge to connect Ethernet cable to a laptop without an Ethernet port and the importance of Ethernet connection.

Today’s question has raised by one of our readers that I answered with details. If you have any other query about the laptop’s configuration, then feel free to submit your comment or send us your question by email. We will completely guide you about the solution.

Internet connection nowadays has become compulsory for almost everyone as everything now is digitalized so if you have some trouble in connecting your laptop with your Wi-fi then you can connect it with a cable called ethernet cable.

However, in the new laptops there is a possibility that you do not have an Ethernet port and also if your laptop is thin then it might be missing the Ethernet port as well. So, I have explained how you can connect a laptop with no Ethernet port with the internet using the ethernet cable.

Situations when using the Ethernet cable for internet is suitable

Before explaining how to connect Ethernet cable to a laptop with no ethernet port lets see what are the scenarios in which you can use the Ethernet cable:

  • Unable to connect your laptop to WiFi due to weak range of your router
  • Internet speed is quite slow when connected through WiFi
  • Make your internet connection more secure
  • Transfer rate of data is much faster with ethernet than WiFi

In the absence of the Ethernet port in your laptop, you can still connect it with Ethernet using the adapters. There are plenty of adapters available in the market that can connect Ethernet cable with your laptop, but it depends which type of port your laptop has. So, based on the ports there are two types of adaptors that can be used that are:

  • Ethernet adaptor for USB type C
  • Ethernet adaptor for USB type A

Ethernet adaptor for USB type C

If your laptop has only a type C USB port, then you have to buy an adapter that converts the ethernet port to USB type C port. Just plug your ethernet cable into the one end of the adapter and then plug the other end of the adapter to your USB type C port of the laptop. Now the question arises, which adapter is best for you so do not worry as I have researched for the best ethernet adaptors and shortlisted one which you can buy from here.

How to connect laptop to internet without ethernet port

You just need to buy it and plug it in your laptop as no special drivers are needed to use this adapter and if you have an apple laptop then you can also use this adapter.

Ethernet adaptor for USB type A

If your laptop has a conventional USB type A port, then there are Ethernet adaptors for them as well. As mentioned earlier there are plenty of ethernet adaptors for USB type A ports in the market and for your ease I have shortlist the one ethernet to USB type A adapter that will be best for you which you can buy from here.

How to connect laptop to internet without ethernet port

For this adapter you have to install the driver which comes along with it and this adaptor is compatible with Apple laptops as well.

Conclusion

Connecting your laptop from the internet using the Ethernet cable is quite old but it can come in handy when you have some issues while connecting your laptop to the internet using WiFi. For the people who are looking to connect their laptops with ethernet cable, but their laptops do not have the Ethernet port I have explained the ways by which they can connect their laptop with the internet using the Ethernet depending upon the port availability.

About the author

How to connect laptop to internet without ethernet port

I am an electrical engineer and a technical blogger. My keen interest in embedded systems has led me to write and share my knowledge about them.

Can I get internet without an Ethernet port?

If you don't have ethernet ports for the internet, you can use your phone as a mobile hotspot or tether it over USB to use the data connection on your phone with your device. What is this? You can also get a 5 GHz Wi-Fi router that can connect devices to the internet wirelessly at pretty great speeds.

Why new laptops have no Ethernet ports?

Laptops nowadays are thinner than the height of an Ethernet port. Therefore, there's no space to have an Ethernet port. Not having an Ethernet port also makes the design look cleaner without the extra added ports. In most cases, there's no need to have an Ethernet port on a laptop since many people use Wi-Fi.

How do I connect my laptop to the Internet without Wi

There are several other ways to tether internet to your PC..
Bluetooth Tethering..
Tether using USB cable from UE..
A USB dongle with 2G/3G/LTE connectivity..
Intel is also pushing chipsets with Simcard connectity. So it will be as simple as to put a sim card in your laptop and browse..

Do laptops come without Ethernet ports?

Most modern laptops don't come with dedicated Ethernet ports anymore — they're simply too bulky to fit into the slim devices we've grown accustomed to. They primarily rely on modern Wi-Fi networks for their connectivity. However, there are plenty of reasons to want a wired connection.