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How to Make Mac Prioritize Ethernet Over Wifi? Mac Priority Steps

Introduction If you connect your Mac to both a wired Ethernet cable and a Wi-Fi network, macOS may not always choose the connection you expect. In many cases, Wi-Fi remains active even when a faster and more stable Ethernet connection is available. That is why

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Introduction

If you connect your Mac to both a wired Ethernet cable and a Wi-Fi network, macOS may not always choose the connection you expect. In many cases, Wi-Fi remains active even when a faster and more stable Ethernet connection is available. That is why many users search for How to Make Mac Prioritize Ethernet Over Wifi? The good news is that macOS includes a built-in setting called network service order, which lets you decide which connection should be used first.

This guide explains how to make Mac prioritize Ethernet over Wifi using System Settings, older System Preferences, and Terminal commands. It also covers how to verify the change, common troubleshooting steps, and best practices for keeping your network stable at home, in the office, or while traveling with a dock.

Table of Contents

Why Prioritize Ethernet Over Wi-Fi on a Mac?

Ethernet is usually faster, more consistent, and less affected by interference than Wi-Fi. If your Mac is connected to a dock, router, switch, or wall port, using Ethernet can improve video calls, file transfers, cloud backups, gaming, and large downloads. Wi-Fi is convenient, but it can slow down when many devices share the same channel or when walls and distance reduce signal strength.

When both connections are active, macOS does not simply pick the one with the best speed. It follows a configured service order. If Wi-Fi appears above Ethernet in that order, your Mac may continue sending traffic over Wi-Fi even though Ethernet is plugged in. Learning How to Make Mac Prioritize Ethernet Over Wifi? helps you avoid that problem and get the full benefit of your wired connection.

How macOS Chooses Which Network to Use

macOS uses a feature called network service order. A network service is any connection type configured in your Network settings, such as Ethernet, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth PAN, VPN, or Thunderbolt Bridge. The service at the top of the list has the highest priority for default routing. Services below it are used only when higher-priority services are unavailable or do not provide a usable route.

This means you do not necessarily need to turn off Wi-Fi to use Ethernet. You can keep Wi-Fi enabled as a backup while telling macOS to prefer Ethernet whenever it is connected. That is especially useful for laptops that move between a desk with Ethernet and a wireless-only location.

It is also important to understand that service order is not the same as manually selecting a network in an app. Some applications, VPN clients, or browser extensions may bind to a specific interface. However, for most normal internet traffic, changing the service order is the correct and reliable solution.

Before You Start

Before changing priority settings, make sure your Ethernet connection actually works. Plug in the cable or adapter, open System Settings, and check whether Ethernet shows as connected. If it does not connect, fix the cable, adapter, port, or DHCP issue first. Changing priority will not help if Ethernet cannot reach the network.

You should also know the exact name of your Ethernet service. It may be called Ethernet, Thunderbolt Ethernet, USB 10/100/1000 LAN, Belkin USB-C LAN, or another adapter-specific name. The same applies to Wi-Fi, which is usually called Wi-Fi but may have a custom name on some systems.

Finally, you may need administrator permission to change network settings. If your Mac is managed by an employer or school, some options may be locked by configuration profiles.

Method 1: Change Service Order in System Settings

This is the easiest method for most modern Macs running macOS Ventura, macOS Sonoma, or later. The interface is slightly different from older macOS versions, but the concept is the same: move Ethernet above Wi-Fi in the service order.

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner of your screen.
  2. Select System Settings.
  3. Click Network in the sidebar.
  4. Look for the action menu, often shown as three dots or a gear icon, near the network service list.
  5. Choose Set Service Order.
  6. In the service order window, find your Ethernet connection.
  7. Drag the Ethernet service above the Wi-Fi service.
  8. Click OK or Apply to save the change.
  9. Test your connection by opening a browser or running a speed test.

If you do not see Set Service Order immediately, make sure you are in the main Network pane rather than inside an individual service. The option is usually available from the overall network service list, not from the details page of one connection.

After applying the change, macOS should begin using Ethernet for new traffic. Existing connections may take a moment to switch, especially if a browser or app has already established a session over Wi-Fi.

Method 2: Change Service Order in System Preferences

If you are using macOS Monterey or earlier, the setting is found in System Preferences instead of System Settings. The process is very similar and works well for older Macs.

  1. Open the Apple menu and select System Preferences.
  2. Click Network.
  3. Click the lock icon in the lower-left corner and enter your administrator password if needed.
  4. Click the gear icon below the network service list.
  5. Select Set Service Order.
  6. Drag Ethernet above Wi-Fi.
  7. Click OK.
  8. Click Apply in the main Network window.

This older interface is straightforward and often preferred by users who are familiar with classic macOS settings. The key is to remember to click Apply after changing the order. If you close the window without applying, the change may not take effect.

Method 3: Use Terminal Commands

Advanced users can change network priority from Terminal. This is useful for automation, remote management, troubleshooting, or scripting the same setup across multiple Macs. Terminal commands also make it easier to document exactly what changed.

List Current Service Order

First, check the current order and exact service names. Open Terminal and run:

networksetup -listnetworkserviceorder

The output shows each service, its hardware port, and its current position. Pay attention to the exact names, including capitalization, spaces, and hyphens. For example, Wi-Fi is usually written as Wi-Fi, not WiFi or Wifi.

Change Service Order

After you know the exact names, use the order command. A common example is:

sudo networksetup -ordernetworkservices "Ethernet" "Wi-Fi"

If you have additional services, include them in the desired order. For example:

sudo networksetup -ordernetworkservices "Ethernet" "Wi-Fi" "Bluetooth PAN"

Enter your administrator password when prompted. The command may take a moment to apply. Afterward, run the list command again to confirm the new order.

Be careful with this command. It sets the order for the services you include, so use the complete list from your system if you want to preserve other connections. If you are unsure, start with the graphical method instead.

Ethernet vs. Wi-Fi on Mac: Quick Comparison

The following table summarizes why many users prefer Ethernet when it is available. It can help you decide whether changing priority is worthwhile for your setup.

Feature Ethernet Wi-Fi
Speed consistency Usually very stable Can vary with signal and congestion
Latency Often lower Often slightly higher
Interference Minimal Affected by walls, devices, and channels
Mobility Limited by cable Highly mobile
Best use case Desk, dock, server, video calls Travel, meetings, casual browsing

Ethernet is not always better in every situation, but for a stationary Mac it is often the best choice. Keeping Wi-Fi enabled below Ethernet gives you a convenient fallback without forcing you to disconnect and reconnect manually.

How to Verify Ethernet Is Being Used

After changing priority, confirm that your Mac is actually using Ethernet. The simplest way is to unplug the Ethernet cable and watch whether your internet connection drops or switches to Wi-Fi. If Ethernet was in use, disconnecting it should cause a brief network change.

You can also use Terminal to inspect routing. Run:

route get default

Look for the interface name in the output. Ethernet interfaces are often named en0, en1, or similar, depending on your Mac and adapter. Wi-Fi may use a different interface name. If the default route points to your Ethernet interface, the priority change is working.

Another useful command is:

networksetup -getinfo "Ethernet"

Replace Ethernet with your exact service name if needed. This shows IP address, router, and subnet mask information. If Ethernet has a valid IP address and your browser loads websites, the connection is active.

Speed tests can also provide clues, but they are not definitive. A wired connection may show higher and more consistent speeds than Wi-Fi, especially on a busy network.

Advanced Tips and Best Practices

If you want the most reliable setup, keep Ethernet connected when you are at your desk and let Wi-Fi remain available as a backup. This gives you the benefit of wired speed while preserving wireless convenience when you unplug.

Use a high-quality cable and adapter. A damaged cable, low-quality USB adapter, or unsupported Thunderbolt dock can create intermittent Ethernet issues that look like a priority problem. If Ethernet repeatedly disconnects, test with another cable or port before changing more settings.

Restart networking if the change does not take effect immediately. You can toggle Wi-Fi off and on, unplug and reconnect Ethernet, or restart your Mac. This forces macOS to re-evaluate the service order.

Keep macOS updated. Network behavior and System Settings layouts change between macOS versions, and updates often fix bugs related to adapters, DHCP, and routing.

If you use a VPN, test your setup with the VPN both connected and disconnected. Some VPN clients create virtual interfaces that may take priority over physical connections. In that case, the VPN app may control routing rather than the macOS service order.

For users who want Wi-Fi to turn off automatically when Ethernet connects, macOS does not provide a simple built-in toggle for that behavior. You can use third-party utilities or a custom script, but for most people, simply prioritizing Ethernet is enough. Wi-Fi can remain connected in the background without causing problems.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

If Ethernet is still not being used after you change the service order, start by confirming that Ethernet is actually connected and has an IP address. A cable can be plugged in while the port has no link or no DHCP lease.

Check the exact service order again. It is easy to drag the wrong item or accidentally place a virtual interface above Ethernet. Reopen Set Service Order and verify the list from top to bottom.

If you used Terminal, make sure the service names were spelled correctly. A small typo can cause the command to fail or apply the wrong order. Run the list command again to confirm.

Remove and re-add the Ethernet service if it behaves strangely. In Network settings, delete the service and add it again, then reconnect the cable. This can fix corrupted configuration files or stale DHCP information.

If your Mac is connected to a VPN, disconnect it temporarily and test. VPNs can override normal routing and make it appear as though service order is not working.

Some browsers and apps cache connections. Close and reopen them after changing network priority. A browser tab that started loading over Wi-Fi may continue using that path until it is refreshed.

If the option to set service order is missing or disabled, you may not have administrator rights, or the Mac may be managed by an organization. Contact your IT administrator in that case.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does prioritizing Ethernet turn off Wi-Fi?

No. It tells macOS to prefer Ethernet when both are available. Wi-Fi can remain connected and act as a backup if Ethernet is unplugged or loses connectivity.

Why is my Mac still using Wi-Fi after I changed the order?

The change may not have been applied, Ethernet may not have a valid connection, or an app or VPN may be controlling routing. Restart networking, verify Ethernet has an IP address, and check the service order again.

What is the exact answer to How to Make Mac Prioritize Ethernet Over Wifi?

Open Network settings, choose Set Service Order, and drag Ethernet above Wi-Fi. On older macOS versions, use System Preferences. You can also use Terminal commands to reorder network services.

Can I prioritize Ethernet only at home and Wi-Fi when traveling?

Yes. The service order remains saved, but when Ethernet is unavailable, macOS automatically uses Wi-Fi. You do not need to change settings every time you move.

Do I need to restart my Mac?

Usually no. However, restarting can help if the change does not take effect or if network services are stuck.

Conclusion

Knowing How to Make Mac Prioritize Ethernet Over Wifi? is useful for anyone who wants a faster, more stable connection on a wired network. macOS makes this possible through network service order, allowing Ethernet to take priority while keeping Wi-Fi available as a fallback. Whether you use System Settings, System Preferences, or Terminal, the process is straightforward once you know where to look.

After making the change, verify that Ethernet is active and troubleshoot any adapter or cable issues if needed. With the right setup, your Mac can automatically choose the best available connection and deliver a smoother online experience for work, entertainment, and communication.