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Does Ethernet Get Priority Over Wifi? Full Answer Explained

Introduction Have you ever plugged an Ethernet cable into your laptop while still connected to Wi-Fi and wondered which connection your device is actually using? Or maybe you’ve noticed that downloads seem faster when you’re wired in, even though your Wi-Fi si

HowToFixWiFi

Introduction

Have you ever plugged an Ethernet cable into your laptop while still connected to Wi-Fi and wondered which connection your device is actually using? Or maybe you’ve noticed that downloads seem faster when you’re wired in, even though your Wi-Fi signal looks strong. The question Does Ethernet Get Priority Over Wifi? is one that puzzles a lot of people, especially as more devices in our homes and offices rely on wireless connections.

The short answer is: in most cases, yes — Ethernet typically gets priority over Wi-Fi. But the full picture is a bit more nuanced. It depends on your operating system, your router’s configuration, your network adapter settings, and even the specific applications you’re running. In this guide, we’ll break down exactly how Ethernet and Wi-Fi coexist on the same device, who wins when both are active, and how you can control which connection takes precedence. Whether you’re a gamer, a remote worker, or just someone trying to squeeze the best performance out of your internet connection, this article will give you a complete, practical understanding of the topic.

Table of Contents

Does Ethernet Get Priority Over Wifi?

When both an Ethernet cable and a Wi-Fi connection are available on the same device, the operating system has to make a decision: which interface should carry your internet traffic? In the vast majority of modern systems, Ethernet is given higher priority than Wi-Fi by default. This isn’t an accident — it’s a deliberate design choice rooted in reliability, speed, and lower latency.

Ethernet connections are wired, which means they aren’t subject to the interference, signal degradation, and congestion that plague wireless networks. Because of this, operating systems like Windows, macOS, and Linux assign a lower “metric” (a numerical value representing route priority) to Ethernet interfaces compared to Wi-Fi. A lower metric means higher priority. So when both are connected, your device routes traffic through the Ethernet cable first, and Wi-Fi essentially sits idle as a backup.

However, this default behavior can be overridden. Some users manually change interface metrics, enable bonding or load balancing, or configure their systems to use both connections simultaneously. Additionally, certain applications — especially those with their own networking stacks, like some VPN clients or game launchers — may behave differently. So while the answer to “Does Ethernet Get Priority Over Wifi?” is generally yes, it’s worth understanding the mechanics behind it.

How Devices Choose Between Ethernet and Wi-Fi

When your device boots up or connects to a network, it builds what’s called a routing table. This table contains entries for each network interface (Ethernet, Wi-Fi, VPN tunnels, etc.) and assigns each one a metric. The system then uses these metrics to decide which interface to use when sending packets to the internet.

Here’s a simplified version of how it works:

  • Each network adapter gets an IP address and a default gateway.
  • The OS assigns a metric to each route based on the interface type and speed.
  • When a packet needs to go out, the OS picks the route with the lowest metric.
  • If that route fails, the system falls back to the next lowest metric.

Ethernet adapters almost always receive a lower metric than Wi-Fi adapters. For example, on Windows, Ethernet might get a metric of 25, while Wi-Fi gets 50 or higher. This means Ethernet wins by default.

It’s also worth noting that this prioritization happens at the OS level, not the router level. Your router doesn’t know or care which interface your device is using — it just sees incoming traffic from your device’s IP address.

Operating System Behavior: Windows, macOS, and Linux

Different operating systems handle the Ethernet vs Wi-Fi priority question in slightly different ways. Let’s look at each one.

Windows

Windows uses a feature called Automatic Metric. By default, it assigns metrics based on the link speed of the adapter. A Gigabit Ethernet connection gets a lower metric than a Wi-Fi connection, which might be operating at 100 Mbps or less. Windows also supports a feature called “Route Metric” that you can manually adjust in the adapter properties. If both Ethernet and Wi-Fi are connected, Windows will prefer Ethernet for all outbound traffic.

macOS

macOS uses a concept called Service Order. You can view and modify this in System Settings under Network. By default, Ethernet (or Thunderbolt Ethernet) is placed above Wi-Fi in the service order, meaning it gets priority. macOS is actually quite transparent about this — you can drag and drop services to reorder them.

Linux

On Linux, routing metrics are managed by the kernel and tools like NetworkManager or systemd-networkd. Most distributions assign a lower metric to wired (Ethernet) interfaces by default. You can check and modify metrics using commands like ip route or nmcli. Linux gives you the most granular control but requires more technical knowledge.

How Your Router Handles Ethernet vs Wi-Fi

While the OS decides which interface to use on your device, the router plays a role in how traffic flows once it leaves your device. Most consumer routers don’t actively prioritize Ethernet over Wi-Fi at the traffic level — they treat all LAN traffic equally. However, there are a few nuances:

  • Switch ports vs wireless radio: Ethernet ports on a router are connected to a built-in switch, which has dedicated bandwidth. Wi-Fi, on the other hand, shares airtime among all wireless clients.
  • QoS settings: Some routers let you prioritize certain devices or applications, which can indirectly favor wired connections if you configure them that way.
  • Band steering: Some routers push devices between 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands, but this doesn’t affect Ethernet.

In short, the router doesn’t “choose” between Ethernet and Wi-Fi for a single device — your device makes that call. But the router does affect overall network performance, and a wired connection to the router generally experiences less congestion.

Ethernet vs Wi-Fi: Side-by-Side Comparison

Here’s a detailed comparison to help you understand the practical differences between the two connection types.

Feature Ethernet (Wired) Wi-Fi (Wireless)
Default OS Priority Higher (lower metric) Lower (higher metric)
Speed Up to 10 Gbps (with Cat6a/Cat7) Up to ~9.6 Gbps (Wi-Fi 6E/7, theoretical)
Latency Very low (1-5 ms) Higher (10-50+ ms)
Interference None Susceptible to walls, devices, neighbors
Mobility Fixed location Full mobility
Setup Complexity Plug and play Requires password/configuration
Security Physically secure Requires encryption (WPA3 recommended)
Shared Bandwidth Dedicated per port Shared among all wireless clients

Real-World Performance Differences

On paper, both Ethernet and Wi-Fi can deliver impressive speeds. But in real-world usage, the differences become clear. Here’s what you can typically expect:

  • Gaming: Ethernet provides lower ping and more stable connections, reducing lag spikes. Wi-Fi can work for casual gaming but may introduce jitter.
  • Video conferencing: Ethernet ensures consistent upload/download speeds, preventing frozen video or dropped calls.
  • Large file transfers: Wired connections maintain sustained throughput without the fluctuations common on Wi-Fi.
  • Streaming: Both can handle 4K streaming, but Ethernet eliminates buffering caused by wireless interference.

The key takeaway is that while Wi-Fi has improved dramatically with Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 7, Ethernet still offers the most consistent, predictable performance. When your device has both available, it makes sense that the OS prioritizes the more reliable option.

Quality of Service (QoS) and Traffic Prioritization

QoS is a feature available on many routers that lets you prioritize certain types of traffic (like gaming or video calls) over others (like background downloads). While QoS doesn’t directly answer “Does Ethernet Get Priority Over Wifi?”, it’s closely related because it affects how traffic is handled once it reaches the router.

Some advanced setups use QoS to prioritize wired devices over wireless ones, or to give specific applications higher priority regardless of connection type. If you have a busy network with many devices, configuring QoS can be a game-changer. Here are some common QoS strategies:

  • Prioritize real-time traffic (VoIP, gaming, video calls).
  • Limit bandwidth for background tasks (cloud backups, OS updates).
  • Assign higher priority to specific MAC addresses (e.g., your work laptop).

QoS works best when combined with a solid understanding of your network’s bottlenecks. If your internet plan is the limiting factor, QoS can help distribute that bandwidth more fairly.

How to Set Ethernet Priority on Windows

If you want to manually ensure Ethernet takes priority over Wi-Fi on Windows, follow these steps:

  1. Press Win + R, type ncpa.cpl, and press Enter to open Network Connections.
  2. Right-click your Ethernet adapter and select Properties.
  3. Select Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) and click Properties.
  4. Click Advanced.
  5. Uncheck Automatic metric.
  6. Enter a low number (e.g., 10) in the Interface metric field.
  7. Click OK on all windows to save.
  8. Repeat the process for your Wi-Fi adapter, but set a higher metric (e.g., 50).

Alternatively, you can use PowerShell for a quicker approach:

Set-NetIPInterface -InterfaceAlias "Ethernet" -InterfaceMetric 10
Set-NetIPInterface -InterfaceAlias "Wi-Fi" -InterfaceMetric 50

After making these changes, restart your computer or disable and re-enable the adapters to apply the new settings.

How to Set Ethernet Priority on macOS

macOS makes it easy to reorder network services. Here’s how:

  1. Open System Settings (or System Preferences on older macOS versions).
  2. Go to Network.
  3. Click the … (more) button or the gear icon, depending on your macOS version.
  4. Select Set Service Order.
  5. Drag Ethernet (or Thunderbolt Ethernet) to the top of the list.
  6. Drag Wi-Fi below it.
  7. Click OK and then Apply.

You can also do this via the command line using networksetup:

networksetup -ordernetworkservices "Ethernet" "Wi-Fi"

This ensures that macOS always tries Ethernet first before falling back to Wi-Fi.

How to Set Ethernet Priority on Linux

On Linux, you have several ways to manage interface priority. The most common approach uses NetworkManager.

First, check your current connections and their metrics:

nmcli connection show

To set a lower metric for Ethernet:

nmcli connection modify "Wired connection 1" ipv4.route-metric 100
nmcli connection modify "Wired connection 1" ipv6.route-metric 100

And a higher metric for Wi-Fi:

nmcli connection modify "Wi-Fi connection 1" ipv4.route-metric 600
nmcli connection modify "Wi-Fi connection 1" ipv6.route-metric 600

Then reactivate the connections:

nmcli connection up "Wired connection 1"
nmcli connection up "Wi-Fi connection 1"

You can verify the changes with:

ip route show

Look for the metric value next to each default route. Lower is better.

How to Verify Which Connection Is Active

After configuring priorities, you’ll want to confirm that your device is actually using Ethernet. Here are a few methods:

  • Windows: Open Command Prompt and run route print. Look at the “Metric” column for your default routes. The lowest metric wins.
  • macOS: Run netstat -rn | grep default in Terminal. The interface with the lower metric (or listed first) is preferred.
  • Linux: Run ip route show default. The route with the lowest metric is active.
  • Speed test: Run a speed test, then unplug Ethernet and run it again. If speeds drop, Ethernet was being used.
  • Browser check: Visit a site like whatismyipaddress.com and compare the IP. If it matches your Ethernet adapter’s IP, you’re on wired.

These verification steps are especially useful if you’ve made changes and want to confirm they took effect.

Tips and Best Practices

Here are some practical tips to get the most out of your network setup:

  • Use Ethernet for stationary devices: Desktops, gaming consoles, smart TVs, and workstations benefit most from wired connections.
  • Keep Wi-Fi for mobile devices: Phones, tablets, and laptops on the move should rely on Wi-Fi.
  • Invest in quality cables: Cat5e is fine for most, but Cat6 or Cat6a future-proofs your setup for 10 Gbps speeds.
  • Don’t disable Wi-Fi unnecessarily: Keeping Wi-Fi enabled as a backup ensures failover if your Ethernet cable gets unplugged.
  • Update adapter drivers: Outdated drivers can cause priority issues or performance problems.
  • Monitor your network: Tools like ping, iperf, or router dashboards help you spot issues early.
  • Avoid mixing up cables: Make sure your Ethernet cable is plugged into the LAN port, not a WAN or phone port.
  • Consider a mesh network: If Ethernet isn’t feasible everywhere, a good mesh Wi-Fi system can reduce the performance gap.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Ethernet always get priority over Wi-Fi?

In most default configurations, yes. Operating systems assign lower metrics to Ethernet adapters, making them the preferred route. However, this can be changed manually, and certain applications may override OS-level routing.

Can I use both Ethernet and Wi-Fi at the same time?

Yes, but typically only one will carry your internet traffic based on priority. Some advanced setups use link aggregation or load balancing to combine both, but this requires specific hardware and configuration.

Will unplugging Ethernet automatically switch to Wi-Fi?

Yes. If Ethernet becomes unavailable, the OS will fall back to the next available interface, which is usually Wi-Fi. This failover is usually seamless but may cause a brief interruption.

Does Ethernet priority affect download speed?

It can. If your device was mistakenly using Wi-Fi (which might be slower or more congested), switching to Ethernet can noticeably improve download and upload speeds.

Is Ethernet more secure than Wi-Fi?

Generally, yes. Ethernet requires physical access to the network, while Wi-Fi signals can be intercepted. That said, modern Wi-Fi encryption (WPA3) is very strong, and both are secure when properly configured.

Can I prioritize Wi-Fi over Ethernet?

Yes. By adjusting the interface metric or service order, you can make Wi-Fi the preferred connection. This is uncommon but useful in specific scenarios, like when Ethernet has a slower upstream connection.

Does having both connected slow down my network?

No. Having both connected doesn’t inherently slow anything down. Only the active interface carries traffic. The inactive one sits idle as a backup.

Conclusion

So, Does Ethernet Get Priority Over Wifi? In almost every default configuration, the answer is yes. Operating systems are designed to prefer wired connections because they offer lower latency, higher stability, and more consistent speeds. Ethernet gets a lower routing metric, which means it wins the race when both interfaces are available.

But that doesn’t mean Wi-Fi is inferior — it’s just optimized for different use cases. Wi-Fi gives you mobility and convenience, while Ethernet gives you performance and reliability. The beauty of modern networking is that you don’t have to choose permanently. Your device can use Ethernet when it’s plugged in and seamlessly fall back to Wi-Fi when it’s not.

If you want to take control of this behavior, you now have the tools to adjust interface metrics on Windows, macOS, and Linux. Combine that with a good router, quality cables, and smart QoS configuration, and you’ll have a network setup that works exactly the way you want it to. Whether you’re gaming, working from home, or just browsing, understanding how Ethernet and Wi-Fi priority works puts you in the driver’s seat.