Connecting your PC to internet comes in two forms; Ethernet and Wi-Fi connectivity. Ethernet is known for very stable and fast internet connections. Wi-Fi connectivity, on the other hand, comes with flexibility, portability, speed, and sufficient reliability. In this post, we will teach you about how to connect your PC to Wi-Fi without Ethernet an Ethernet cable. Read on for more details.
Connecting your PC to Wi-Fi without an Ethernet cable comes easily. With more and more people accessing the web, the need for Wi-Fi enabled PC is at an all-time high. Ethernet connectivity is fast and super reliable but comes with the disadvantage of lack of flexibility. That aspect alone can severely cripple one’s operations, especially if they transact businesses online. Luckily, there are several ways to connect your PC to Wi-Fi without having to use an Ethernet cable.
Types of internet connection
Internet and intranet connectivity exist in different models depending on the medium. Below are the various mediums your computer can use to connect to the internet:
- Fiber optic – Fiber optic connection uses pure fiberglass and light to transmit and receive data signals. Fiber optic cables allow the transmission of data over long distances and at high speeds. You can get home internet speeds of up to 1 Gbps while using a fiber cable to connect to the internet.
- Wi-Fi – Wi-Fi uses wireless frequencies to transmit data over the internet. Wi-Fi is the most preferred medium of connection because there is less hustle with wires/cables. The standard speed you can access with a home Wi-Fi router is 300 Mbps.
- Ethernet – Ethernet uses Local Area Network (LAN) cables to connect to the internet. You can get the Cat5e or Cat 6 Ethernet cable and access speeds of up to 100 Mbps while using a standard Cat5e cable to access the internet.
- Bluetooth – Bluetooth uses wireless transmission as a medium for connecting to the internet. The standard Bluetooth connection in the market is Bluetooth 4 and Bluetooth 5. Bluetooth 4 can achieve speeds of up to 1 Mbps, whereas Bluetooth 5 can achieve speeds of up to 2 Mbps.
- Infrared – Infrared internet connections use Infrared light to transmit data. Modern Infrared connections use wavelengths of above 1,500 nanometres in data transmission. The Infrared light frequencies are higher than Wi-Fi frequencies, and you can achieve speeds of up to 200 terahertz while using an Infrared internet connection.
- PoE – PoE uses Cat 6 copper cables to connect to the internet. PoE cables have power injected into the transmission to boost the transmission distance of a standard Cat 6 cable. PoE is an acronym for Power over Ethernet, and you can achieve speeds of up to 100 Mbps.
- USB – USB uses the Universal Serial Ports on your computer to access the internet. You can use a USB modem or tethering to connect your computer to the internet. You can use the USB 2.0 or USB 3.0 model to connect your PC to the internet. Internet speeds can reach up to 480 Mbps on a USB 2.0 and 1000 Mbps on a USB 3.0 model.
Computers usually have an Ethernet port on the side or back. However, you can use the methods below if the Ethernet port is not an option for you to connect to the internet.
1: USB WiFi Adapter
Wi-Fi connectivity offers a wireless way for connecting to the internet. There are several factors to consider when it comes to getting the Wi-Fi connection up and running. Below, we have enlisted some:
- Signal interference: Most modern Wi-Fi routers are designed to operate on either 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz frequency bands. Unfortunately, some home appliances and devices such as microwaves, smartphones, etc. also operate at 2.4 GHz frequency for instance. This creates a potential risk of signal interference with may lead to poor-quality Wi-Fi signals.
- Network transfer speed: There are three types of router speeds: 54Mbps, 300Mbps, and 450Mbps. Depending on preferences, you can choose any, but the higher the speed the better.
- WPA2 Wireless encryption: If you are shopping for a second-hand of old router model, be sure to choose one that supports WPA2 encryption over WEP. The latter can be breached with ease.
- Distance between the router and the device that will be using the Wi-Fi connection. Signal strength and reliability have a radius within which it is effective. Beyond this area, the signal weakens significantly.
2: Cellular Connection
You can connect to the internet using a cellular option. Physically check your laptop to see if it has a SIM card interface/slot for a cellular connection. The second option is buying an external USB modem with a SIM card from your ISP to access the internet. Try to buy a universal USB modem if you want to switch IPSs in the future. Both methods are suitable for a cellular Internet connection on your computer. You won’t have to use an Ethernet connection.
3: Ethernet Adapter
An Ethernet Adapter cable is a computer hardware component that connects your PC to the internet. It is readily available in the market, and you can buy a USB or C-type Ethernet adapter for your computer. You can pick a 3.0 USB or C-type Ethernet adapter if you want better download/upload speeds on your computer. Ethernet adapters are suitable if you have a reliable Cat 5/6 cable to connect your PC to your Local Area Network. The thing with an Ethernet connection is that it can be very useful, especially if you want to tinker wireless connection without losing connection to the router. Most PCs have an Ethernet port where the adapter cable fits.
4: Using the USB Tethering option on your Smartphone
Another way to connect your PC to Wi-Fi without an Ethernet cable is using your phone’s USB tethering option. It is super simple to use. Follow these steps:
- Ensure your smartphone has a stable internet connection, metered or Wi-Fi.
- Link the smartphone to the PC using a USB cable (Lightning, USB-C, or Micro-USB cables).
- Once that is done, head over to settings and (On Android) proceed as follows:
Tap on Network and Internet then tap on Hotspot & Tethering then toggle on Tethering.
-On iPhone, proceed as follows after opening the Settings menu:
Tap on Cellular, then tap on Personal Hotspot then toggle on Personal Hotspot.
Once all these steps are followed correctly, your PC should be able to connect to your local Wi-Fi courtesy of USB tethering via your Smartphone.
5: Via PCI Network Card slot
You can install a PCI Network Card if you have a desktop computer with a card interface. PCI Network Cards give you access to an Ethernet port that you can use to access the internet. PCI Network Cards are readily available, and you can upgrade them frequently to access better internet speeds. Note that a PCI card is installed inside a computer case. Follow these steps:
Step 1: Turn off the PC and unplug it. Proceed to disconnect all peripheral devices.
Step 2: Use the PC documentation to guide you on how to open the case.
Step 3: Once you have opened the case, locate a free PCI slot. Often they are located at the back of the PC and match the gold contacts of a Wi-Fi card.
Step 4: For a PC with a network card installed, the PCI card is usually positioned in one of the PCI slots. There should be a free slot next to it.
Step 5: Once you have found a free PCI slot, insert the Wi-Fi card therein and press it down till it is secured in place.
Conclusion
There are several methods you can use to connect your computer to Wi-Fi without an Ethernet cable. In this post, we have captured all the main methods. Choose one or try a couple of these and let us know which one worked for you, by dropping us a comment down below.
