How to Change from Ethernet to WiFi

Download Article

A complete guide to shifting your connection preferences on Windows 10, 11, and macOS

Written by Darlene Antonelli, MA

Last Updated: March 10, 2025 Fact Checked

Download Article

• Switching from Ethernet to Wi-Fi
|
• Changing Priority Order in Windows 10 &11
|
• Changing Priority Order in Mac
|
• Video
|
• Tips

|Show more |Show less

Do you want your computer to use the Wi-Fi connection instead of an Ethernet connection? You can change the priority of these network adapters for Windows and Mac computers, or you can simply unplug the Ethernet cable. Read on to learn more.

Quickly Change from Ethernet to Wi-Fi

To switch to your Wi-Fi connection, unplug your ethernet cable or disable your ethernet adapter in your settings. By default, your computer prioritizes your ethernet connection over Wi-Fi, but you can change the priority in Control Panel (PC) or System Settings (Mac).

Steps

Section 1 of 3:

How to Switch from Ethernet to Wi-Fi

Download Article

1. 
   1
   Unplug the ethernet cable. The easiest way to quickly switch to ethernet from Wi-Fi is to unplug the ethernet cable from your computer. With the Ethernet connection unavailable, your computer's Wi-Fi should begin scanning for available networks. If you've already connected to the local Wi-Fi, you shouldn't have to do anything, as the connection should be automatic.
2. 
   2
   If you don’t want to unplug the cable, disable your ethernet card. This is another easy way to switch from ethernet to Wi-Fi on your computer. Follow these steps to do this:

   • Windows 10 & 11:
     • Press the Windows key on the keyboard and type control panel.
     • Click Control Panel in the search results.
     • Click Network and Internet. If you don't see this option, skip to the next step.
     • Click Network and Sharing Center.
     • Click Change adapter settings.
     • Right-click your ethernet adapter and select Disable.
   • Mac
     • Click the Apple menu and select System Settings.
     • Click Network.
     • Select your ethernet network.
     • Select Make Inactive.
   Advertisement
3. 
   3
   Connect to Wi-Fi if you aren't already. If unplugging your ethernet cable or disabling your ethernet interface didn't automatically connect you to Wi-Fi, here's how you can connect:

   • Windows 11
     • Click the Network, Sound, or Battery icon near the clock at the bottom-right corner of the screen. You might see an icon of a globe with a "warning" symbol on it.
     • If the Wi-Fi icon is not illuminated, click it to turn on Wi-Fi.
     • Click the arrow on the Wi-Fi button to display available Wi-Fi networks.
     • Click a network and enter the password (if needed) to connect.
   • Windows 10
     • Click the network icon near the clock at the bottom-right corner of the screen. It may have an icon of a globe with a "warning" symbol on it.
     • If Wi-Fi is disabled, click the tile to enable it now.
     • Select a Wi-Fi network and enter the password if prompted.
   • Mac
     • Click the Wi-Fi network in the menu bar at the top of the screen.
     • Select the Wi-Fi network you want to join. If you don't see it, click Other Networks to display more options.
     • If prompted, enter your Wi-Fi password to connect.
Advertisement

Section 2 of 3:

Changing Priority Order in Windows 10 &11

Download Article

1. 
   1
   Open Network and Sharing Center. This method will help you change the priority of your network adapters to make your Wi-Fi adapter a higher priority than your ethernet card. When you do this, you can easily use your Wi-Fi connection without unplugging your ethernet cable or disabling your ethernet card.

   • • Press the Win key and enter control panel.
     • Click Control Panel.
     • Click Network and Sharing Center. If you don't see this option, click Network and Internet first.
   • If you don't have administrative permissions, you will not be able to continue using this method.
2. 
   2
   Click Change adapter settings. You'll see this on the left side of the window. The "Network Connections" page opens.
3. 
   3
   Right-click the adapter you want to prioritize. In this instance, you want to right-click the Wi-Fi adapter.
4. 
   4
   Click Properties. You'll see this at the bottom of the menu.
5. 
   5
   Select "Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)". Alternatively, if you are using iPv6, select Internet Protocol Version 6 (TCP/IPv6) instead.

   • The row will be highlighted in blue to indicate that it is selected.
6. 
   6
   Click the Properties button. You'll see this under the box inside which you selected "Internet Protocol Version 4" or "Internet Protocol Version 6."
7. 
   7
   Click the Advanced button. You'll see this at the bottom of the window on the right side. An "Advanced TCP/IP Settings" window will pop up.
8. 
   8
   Click to uncheck the box next to Automatic Metric. The automatic metric box will automatically assign this network adapter's priorities.

   • The text field underneath switches from inactive (greyed out) to active (dark grey).
9. 
   9
   Enter a number in the Interface Metric field. The lower the number, the higher the priority. For example, if you set your Wi-Fi interface metric to 1, your Wi-Fi will be the default internet connection no matter what you have connected.
10. 
    10
    Click OK. The "Advanced TCP/IP Settings" window will close.

    • Click OK on each pop-up window to close it and save your settings.
    • If you set the Wi-Fi network adapter to 1, your computer will automatically use Wi-Fi instead of a plugged-in ethernet cord to connect to the internet.
Advertisement

Section 3 of 3:

Changing Priority Order in Mac

Download Article

1. 
   1
   Click the Apple menu and select System Settings. This method will help you change the priority of your network adapters to make your Wi-Fi adapter a higher priority than your ethernet card. When you do this, you can easily use your Wi-Fi connection without unplugging your ethernet cable or disabling your ethernet card.

   • This menu is "System Preferences" on older Mac desktops and MacBooks.
2. 
   2
   Click Network. You'll find this next to a globe with lines on it in the sidebar.
3. 
   3
   Click … . It's at the very bottom of the menu and prompts another menu to open.
4. 
   4
   Click Set Service Order. You'll see this in the second grouping of the drop-down menu.

   • A new window will pop up that shows you every network connection type available to you, such as Ethernet, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth.
5. 
   5
   Drag and drop Wi-Fi to the top of the list. If you want to connect to Wi-Fi even if you have an Ethernet cable plugged in, make sure Wi-Fi is higher on that list than Ethernet.
6. 
   6
   Click OK. You'll see this blue button in the bottom right corner of the window. Now, your Mac will always prioritize your Wi-Fi connection over ethernet, even if the ethernet cable is plugged in.
Advertisement

Expert Q&A

Search

Add New Question

Ask a Question

200 characters left

Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.

Submit

Advertisement

Tips

• For any of these methods, you must have a wireless network card, which nearly all computers have built-in. If you don't have a wireless adapter, you can buy one from any electronics retailer.
  Thanks

  Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

Submit a Tip

All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published

Name

Please provide your name and last initial

Submit

Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

Advertisement

Video