The one-word answer to that question is YES, you can. It is a straightforward task. Some Windows versions support it and have this build-in feature to combine both to boost the speed while older versions don’t, so they need a third-party network and configuring PC settings accordingly.
Ways to use Ethernet and Wi-Fi simultaneously: Ethernet and Wi-Fi at the same time
There are several ways to do so. Some of them are:
Change control panel settingChange BIOS settingEstablish the bridge connectionChange connection priorities
1. Change control panel setting:
Search the control panel and click enterGo to Network and Sharing centerClick on the Change adapter setting optionRight-click on your wireless connection tab to select properties. Select the Networking tabThen click on configureSelect advance tab Turn off Disable on wired connection tabApply the changes to see if this is working
2. Change BIOS setting
It depends upon the brand and motherboard of your PC. Some computers have this build-in feature to select between the two options. You have to alter the settings by finding the access to BIOS by using the motherboard manual.
To improve the BIOS setting, follow the following steps:
Turn off the computerTurn it on again and press the BIOS key repeatedly. It is generally f10, f2, f12, f1, and DEL, depending upon your PC. Look for the extra, configure, networking tab, and undo the setting respectively. For example; On HP computers, click the Build-in device option and turn off LAN/WLAN switching. On Dell PC, select power management option > wireless radio control and turn off control WLAN radio. Apply the settings to see if it is working.
3. Establish the bridge connection: Ethernet and Wi-Fi at the same time
Another option to use Ethernet and Wi-Fi at the same time is by bridging the connection between the two.
Go to the Network and sharing center on the control panelChoose settings > network and internet connectionChange adapter settingFirst, go with the wireless connection and select bridge connectionProvide the Bridge connection a new IP by TCP/IP setting in the control panel and turning on the static IP. Repeat the process for an Ethernet connection and see if it works
4. Change connection priorities:
It may not work for all. But you can use both connections at the same time by allocating the same priorities to the two.
Open network and internet option in the control panelGo to network and sharing optionSelect change adapter settingsClick on a wireless connection Select properties by right-clickingFrom the “connection uses following items” list choose internet protocol version 4 TCP/IPv4Click the properties to repeat the open dialogue boxGo to advanceTurn off the automatic metricNow write any number greater than one in the interface boxRepeat the highlighted steps for wired connectionBut write a number smaller than the number to write earlier but greater than 1If it doesn’t work, Perform the opposite of the underline stepApply changes to see if it works.
Use third-party Softwares that combine both connections:
You combine several connections with the help of software as well.
Speedify: By using this special software, you can use your Ethernet and Wi-Fi at the same time. However, both the connection must be from different sources. Using the same source won’t increase your connection speed because the bandwidth of your network remains the same.
Connectify: it provides two options. Connectify hot-spot and dispatch. For combining various connections, we are concerned with Connectify dispatch. After installation, it boosts your internet speed.
By doing this, do the speed increase?
In some conditions, it increases the internet speed. If your Wi-Fi and Ethernet connections are from different sources, combining both does increase the speed and you can enjoy a fast network connection. Sometimes your one connection is weak, others compensate for the effect.
However, Some studies say the opposite. The computer receiving information from different sources and combining it can slow down your PC. Your computer faces a hard time processing the information as data get mixed up, become incorrect, or duplicated.
Does it slow down your connection:
It does slow down your connection if both are from the same source. This happens because the bandwidth of the source remains the same.
Conclusion: Ethernet and Wi-Fi at the same time
Using the Ethernet and Wi-Fi simultaneously is fascinating. It also speeds up your network speed if connected to various sources. By doing so, you don’t need an extra hardware device.
Which is a more fast connection, Wi-Fi or Ethernet?
Ethernet provides you wired connection but Wi-Fi is wireless. So Ethernet is faster and more reliable.
Can both connections be combined in gaming consoles?
No. its firmware would not allow it as it is programmed to choose a single connection.
