You can configure Windows to automatically disconnect or disable WiFi when connected to ethernet. Here’s how to do it in simple steps.
All most all laptops and even some desktops have WiFi built-in. For desktops that don’t have WiFi, you can add it using a relatively inexpensive WiFi adapter. When available, most of us use WiFi to connect to the internet. Though WiFi makes it easy and convenient to connect to the internet, one thing that bothers me most is its stability and quality. For example, depending on your WiFi router, the network speed might not be up to par.
That is one of the reasons why most connect their laptops to ethernet when at home or work. Ethernet provides a solid connection and even better speeds when it comes to things like local streaming and file transfer. In fact, when I’m at my desk, I connect my laptop to the ethernet so that I can access my NAS and other connected devices.
When connected to ethernet, the WiFi is still active in the background scanning and trying to connect to the available networks. As you can guess, this drains the laptop battery. In some cases, depending on the network priority settings, the WiFi connection may take precedence over the ethernet connection. This makes connecting to other devices a pain in the back.
To avoid this you can make Windows automatically disable WiFi when ethernet is connected. Once the WiFi is disabled, you don’t have to worry about it draining the battery or colliding with the ethernet connection.
Without further ado, let me show you how to disable WiFi when connected to ethernet in Windows 10 and 11.
Disable WiFi when connected to ethernet
The WiFi adapter settings allow you to configure it to disable itself when connected to ethernet. Let me show you.
- Right-click on the network icon on the taskbar.
- Choose the “Network and internet settings” option.
- Click “Advanced network settings.”
- Press “More network adapters options.”
- Right-click on the WiFi adapter.
- Choose the “Properties” option.
- Go to the “Networking” tab.
- Click “Configure.”
- Go to the “Advanced” tab.
- Select “Disable Upon Wired Connect.”
- Select “Enabled” from the dropdown.
- Press the “Ok” button.
- Reboot Windows.
- With that, WiFi is disabled when ethernet is connected.
Steps with more details:
First, disconnect from ethernet and connect to a WiFi network. This makes configuring the settings a tad bit easier. Once you’ve done that, right-click on the Network icon on the taskbar and select the “Open Network & Internet Settings” option.
In Windows 11, go to the “Advanced network settings” page and click the “More network adapter” option.
Windows 10 users can click the “Change adapter options” option on the main page.
As soon as you click on the option, the Control Panel window will open. Here, find your WiFi adapter, right-click on it and select the “Properties” option.
In the properties window, click on the “Configure” button under the “Connect Using” section in the “Networking” tab.
Now, go to the “Advanced” tab, select the “Disable Upon Wired Connect” option on the left panel and then select “Enabled” from the dropdown menu on the right panel. Click the “Ok” button to save changes.
Important note: If don’t see the “Disable Upon Wired Connect” option then your WiFi adapter doesn’t support this feature. In that case, follow the alternative method shown below.
Finally, restart the system to make the changes take effect.
From now on, the WiFi will be automatically disabled when you connect to the ethernet.
Change network priority (Alternative method)
If the first method did not work for you then you can try changing the network priority. Now, this will not disable the WiFi. However, it will ensure that the ethernet takes precedence over the WiFi. That way, there will be no network collisions and you can enjoy reliability and faster speeds.
I’ve already written a detailed article on how to change network priority in Windows. Follow that and you will be good.
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That is all. It is that simple to disable WiFi when connected to ethernet.
I hope this simple and easy Windows how-to guide helped you.
If you are stuck or need help, send an email, and I will try to help as much as possible.