How to Connect Ethernet and Wi-Fi at the Same Time: A Comprehensive Guide

Connecting both Ethernet and Wi-Fi simultaneously can be beneficial for enhancing network reliability and increasing bandwidth. This guide will walk you through the process for different operating systems: Windows, macOS, and Linux.

How to Connect Ethernet and Wi-Fi on Windows

Connecting both a wired and wireless network is straightforward on Windows devices. Here’s a step-by-step guide to do it:

Step 1: Connect Your Ethernet Cable

Plug in your Ethernet cable to your computer.

Step 2: Connect to Wi-Fi

Connect to your Wi-Fi network as you normally would.

Step 3: Adjust Network Settings

Follow these steps to prioritize your Ethernet connection:

Open Control Panel. Select Network and Internet. Select Network Connections. You should see both the Ethernet and Wi-Fi connections. Right-click on the Ethernet connection and select Properties. Select Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) and click Properties. Ensure that Use the following IP address and Use the following DNS server addresses are selected.

Step 4: Set the Metric

In the same properties window, click on Advanced. In the IP Settings tab, set the Interface Metric. Lower values have higher priority. Adjust accordingly, for example, set Ethernet to a lower number than Wi-Fi.

How to Connect Ethernet and Wi-Fi on macOS

macOS also supports the simultaneous use of both Ethernet and Wi-Fi. Here’s how to set this up:

Step 1: Connect Your Ethernet Cable

Plug in your Ethernet cable.

Step 2: Connect to Wi-Fi

Connect to your Wi-Fi network.

Step 3: Adjust Network Preferences

Follow these steps to prioritize the Ethernet connection:

Go to System Preferences and click on Network. You will see both the Ethernet and Wi-Fi connections. Click the gear icon at the bottom of the list and select Set Service Order. Drag the Ethernet connection to the top of the list to prioritize it over Wi-Fi.

How to Connect Ethernet and Wi-Fi on Linux

On Linux, the process is slightly different as it can be managed through the terminal or a network manager GUI. Here’s a guide:

Step 1: Connect Your Ethernet Cable and Wi-Fi as Usual

Plug in your Ethernet cable and Wi-Fi as usual.

Step 2: Adjust Network Configuration

Follow these steps to prioritize your Ethernet connection:

You can use the terminal or a network manager GUI. Use ifconfig or ip a to check both connections. Use ip route commands to adjust the routing table:

sudo ip route add default via [Ethernet Gateway] dev [Ethernet Interface] metric [lower value]sudo ip route add default via [Wi-Fi Gateway] dev [Wi-Fi Interface] metric [higher value]

General Considerations

When using both networks simultaneously, consider the following:

Traffic Management

Some applications may use one connection over the other depending on their configuration. You might need to configure specific applications to use the desired interface.

Network Performance

Keep in mind that having both connections active doesn’t always mean you'll get double the speed. The operating system usually routes traffic through the primary connection, which is usually the Ethernet if prioritized correctly.

By following the steps outlined in this guide, you should be able to utilize both Ethernet and Wi-Fi connections simultaneously on your device.