Plugged in ethernet cable is "unplugged"

darktemplar · 04-22-2009, 12:01 PM

Hello, my ethernet port on my laptop has been working fine in my residence room, but now that I am home, it is being difficult.
It will work fine, like it is right now, but sometimes it sees the cable as unplugged when it isn't and I can close the laptop/put it into sleep mode, wake it up, replug the cord in, and it works. I tried it in another room, the connection is fine there, (I have tried it with another computer) and it didn't work at all, even sleeping the computer. when I brought my laptop into the first room, it still wasn't working, so I tried turning the cable around, and it worked.

Is this a problem with my computer? Do ethernet cord have differences between the two ends?

Thanks.

Also, the ethernet cord is the same cord in all cases.

**TriggerFinger** · 04-22-2009, 12:12 PM

Try another cable. Sometimes wire/s come loose at the crimped ends (poorly crimped/made).

darktemplar · 04-27-2009, 08:32 PM

I have been using the same cable, and it worked fine in my residence room, but has started having problems at home. The cord works fine on other computers, and I have tried with other cables as well and its the same, sometimes the port works and sometimes it doesn't.

Is there possibly some settings that are messed up? I have windows vista home premium, and I have checked and the port is enabled.

**TriggerFinger** · 04-27-2009, 08:44 PM

If you have ruled out the cable then check the ethernet/LAN port. Sometimes the pins inside are not aligned well with the contacts on the cable. Sometimes the pins on the port already lie flat or may be bent. If they lie flat, you have to pry/pull them up so they make good contact with the pins on the cable. Also sometimes they need some cleaning.

darktemplar · 04-30-2009, 03:57 PM

well, the pins look fine.

The port can't be completely broken because it works sometimes, just not all the time, its really weird.

**johnwill** · 05-01-2009, 07:40 AM

It could simply be going bad electrically or a solder joint inside is failing.

darktemplar · 05-05-2009, 10:05 PM

It's just really weird that it worked perfectly fine on the residence internet but as soon as I got home it started acting up. I haven't even had the laptop for a year and I bought it new.

Do you think it could possibly be a problem with settings and network configurations?

**johnwill** · 05-07-2009, 07:18 AM

By far the most common failure in laptops is broken connection to the MB, including the power plug, USB connections, and network jacks. They're pretty fragile, and laptops tend to be put in situations where those cords get tugged or tripped over.

darktemplar · 05-12-2009, 03:44 PM

If that is the case, what would you suggest?

**johnwill** · 05-12-2009, 06:00 PM

If a connection is broken to one of the sockets, the only fix is to either open it up and attempt to repair it, replace the MB, or take it to a service center for repair.

darktemplar · 06-16-2009, 03:12 PM

ok, so I took my computer in and the Ethernet port was replaced, but I am still getting the cable is unplugged error every once and awhile.

darktemplar · 07-08-2009, 09:46 PM

anyone???? any suggestions?

**TriggerFinger** · 07-09-2009, 02:03 PM

Most laptops have the ethernet port part of the motherboard. If ethernet port is replaced but problem exists (and you ruled out the cable or the router) then it could be a failing motherboard.

I guess this is beyond DIY and best if you see a repair shop.

darktemplar · 07-10-2009, 09:56 PM

sorry, I forgot to mention, when the ethernet port was replaced, the whole motherboard was replaced as well.

04-22-2009, 12:01 PM	#1 (permalink)
darktemplar Registered User Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 16 OS: vista sp1	Plugged in ethernet cable is "unplugged" Hello, my ethernet port on my laptop has been working fine in my residence room, but now that I am home, it is being difficult. It will work fine, like it is right now, but sometimes it sees the cable as unplugged when it isn't and I can close the laptop/put it into sleep mode, wake it up, replug the cord in, and it works. I tried it in another room, the connection is fine there, (I have tried it with another computer) and it didn't work at all, even sleeping the computer. when I brought my laptop into the first room, it still wasn't working, so I tried turning the cable around, and it worked. Is this a problem with my computer? Do ethernet cord have differences between the two ends? Thanks. Also, the ethernet cord is the same cord in all cases.

04-22-2009, 12:12 PM	#2 (permalink)
TriggerFinger Moderator Hardware Team Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: USA Posts: 11,846 OS: Vista SP1, XP SP3, PCLinuxOS2007	Re: Plugged in ethernet cable is "unplugged" Try another cable. Sometimes wire/s come loose at the crimped ends (poorly crimped/made). __________________ DBAN - Memtest86+ - BartPE - Linux LiveCD - ImgBurn - HDD Diags - Disk Copy HOW TO BURN AN ISO FILE

04-27-2009, 08:32 PM	#3 (permalink)
darktemplar Registered User Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 16 OS: vista sp1	Re: Plugged in ethernet cable is "unplugged" I have been using the same cable, and it worked fine in my residence room, but has started having problems at home. The cord works fine on other computers, and I have tried with other cables as well and its the same, sometimes the port works and sometimes it doesn't. Is there possibly some settings that are messed up? I have windows vista home premium, and I have checked and the port is enabled.

04-27-2009, 08:44 PM	#4 (permalink)
TriggerFinger Moderator Hardware Team Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: USA Posts: 11,846 OS: Vista SP1, XP SP3, PCLinuxOS2007	Re: Plugged in ethernet cable is "unplugged" If you have ruled out the cable then check the ethernet/LAN port. Sometimes the pins inside are not aligned well with the contacts on the cable. Sometimes the pins on the port already lie flat or may be bent. If they lie flat, you have to pry/pull them up so they make good contact with the pins on the cable. Also sometimes they need some cleaning. __________________ DBAN - Memtest86+ - BartPE - Linux LiveCD - ImgBurn - HDD Diags - Disk Copy HOW TO BURN AN ISO FILE

04-30-2009, 03:57 PM	#5 (permalink)
darktemplar Registered User Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 16 OS: vista sp1	Re: Plugged in ethernet cable is "unplugged" well, the pins look fine. The port can't be completely broken because it works sometimes, just not all the time, its really weird.

05-01-2009, 07:40 AM	#6 (permalink)
johnwill Manager, Networking Forums Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania, US Posts: 41,787 OS: Windows 7, XP-Pro, Vista, Linux Blog Entries: 1	Re: Plugged in ethernet cable is "unplugged" It could simply be going bad electrically or a solder joint inside is failing. __________________ If TSF has helped you, Tell us about it! or Donate to help keep the site up! Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience

05-05-2009, 10:05 PM	#7 (permalink)
darktemplar Registered User Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 16 OS: vista sp1	Re: Plugged in ethernet cable is "unplugged" It's just really weird that it worked perfectly fine on the residence internet but as soon as I got home it started acting up. I haven't even had the laptop for a year and I bought it new. Do you think it could possibly be a problem with settings and network configurations?

05-07-2009, 07:18 AM	#8 (permalink)
johnwill Manager, Networking Forums Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania, US Posts: 41,787 OS: Windows 7, XP-Pro, Vista, Linux Blog Entries: 1	Re: Plugged in ethernet cable is "unplugged" By far the most common failure in laptops is broken connection to the MB, including the power plug, USB connections, and network jacks. They're pretty fragile, and laptops tend to be put in situations where those cords get tugged or tripped over. __________________ If TSF has helped you, Tell us about it! or Donate to help keep the site up! Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience

05-12-2009, 03:44 PM	#9 (permalink)
darktemplar Registered User Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 16 OS: vista sp1	Re: Plugged in ethernet cable is "unplugged" If that is the case, what would you suggest?

05-12-2009, 06:00 PM	#10 (permalink)
johnwill Manager, Networking Forums Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania, US Posts: 41,787 OS: Windows 7, XP-Pro, Vista, Linux Blog Entries: 1	Re: Plugged in ethernet cable is "unplugged" If a connection is broken to one of the sockets, the only fix is to either open it up and attempt to repair it, replace the MB, or take it to a service center for repair. __________________ If TSF has helped you, Tell us about it! or Donate to help keep the site up! Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience

06-16-2009, 03:12 PM	#11 (permalink)
darktemplar Registered User Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 16 OS: vista sp1	Re: Plugged in ethernet cable is "unplugged" ok, so I took my computer in and the Ethernet port was replaced, but I am still getting the cable is unplugged error every once and awhile.

07-08-2009, 09:46 PM	#12 (permalink)
darktemplar Registered User Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 16 OS: vista sp1	Re: Plugged in ethernet cable is "unplugged" anyone???? any suggestions?

07-09-2009, 02:03 PM	#13 (permalink)
TriggerFinger Moderator Hardware Team Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: USA Posts: 11,846 OS: Vista SP1, XP SP3, PCLinuxOS2007	Re: Plugged in ethernet cable is "unplugged" Most laptops have the ethernet port part of the motherboard. If ethernet port is replaced but problem exists (and you ruled out the cable or the router) then it could be a failing motherboard. I guess this is beyond DIY and best if you see a repair shop. __________________ DBAN - Memtest86+ - BartPE - Linux LiveCD - ImgBurn - HDD Diags - Disk Copy HOW TO BURN AN ISO FILE

07-10-2009, 09:56 PM	#14 (permalink)
darktemplar Registered User Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 16 OS: vista sp1	Re: Plugged in ethernet cable is "unplugged" sorry, I forgot to mention, when the ethernet port was replaced, the whole motherboard was replaced as well.