You’ll wonder why everyone doesn’t do this themselves.
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What you'll need:
TOOLS
Electric drill
3/4-inch spade drill bit
Pencil
Stud finder
Drywall (keyhole) saw
Flashlight
Wire cutter and stripper (optional)
J45 crimp and cutter tool (optional)
Drywall and painting tools (optional)
SUPPLIES
Ethernet cable(s)
Labels
Ethernet switch/splitter
Remodeling low-voltage outlet boxes
Ethernet sockets and wall plates
Fish tape
J45 pass-through plugs (optional)
Ethernet wiring panel (optional)
Cable concealer sections (optional)
Drywall patches and paint (optional)
Many people rely solely on Wi-Fi for their home internet. However, with the world of video games only getting wider and more people working from home, you may often need physical wired connections in at least part of your system. An ethernet cable is a type of wire that connects your computer to the modem or router, giving you a more stable and often quicker internet connection.
If this sounds appealing to you, learn how to run ethernet cables through walls and conceal them while getting ethernet hardwiring where you need it in your home.
Buying Ethernet Cable
To get the most from the hard work of installing your system, choose an ethernet cable that matches or exceeds your current maximum internet speed and bandwidth. Keep in mind that the cost increases with higher quality, and some types have distance limits before your data may experience transfer troubles.
You can purchase ethernet cable in bulk, along with RJ45 connectors to put on the end of custom-length wires, or purchase pre-finished cables with connectors already on each end. There are several ethernet cable types readily available for home use. Each is listed below by category, noting their speed and bandwidth.
Category 5: 100 Mbps, 100 MHz
Category 5e: 1,000 Mbps, 100 MHz
Category 6: 10 Gbps, 250+ MHz
Category 6a: 10 Gbps, 500 MHz
Category 7: 10 Gbps, 600 MHz
Category 8: 50 Gbps, 2,000 MHz
Safety Tips
Although ethernet cable is low-voltage, and you’ll install cables before ever plugging into your modem or router, there are still some safety considerations to keep in mind.
Turn off the electrical power at the service panel by switching the circuit breakers off for the area where you’ll be working. This step will help you to avoid shock from accidentally puncturing a wire while making holes in the walls.
If you’re planning on cutting into a wall that you suspect may have plumbing behind it, cut a small hole with a drywall saw without going very deep. Then, use a flashlight to inspect for pipes before committing to cutting a larger hole.
If you live in an older home, be aware of dangers such as lead paint, lead pipes, knob and tube wiring, and asbestos. Take preventative measures, like wearing protective equipment, to limit your exposure to these items
Plan the Cable Route
Photo: Westend61 / Westend61 / Getty Images
Before randomly poking holes in various walls, create a plan, including which rooms you need to reach. You may find that you don’t need as much wire as expected.
Choose the shortest path possible from each room to your internet router. Look for easily accessible voids in which to run the cables. Attics and crawl spaces are excellent candidates for running cables quickly and easily. If there’s no way to get through a particular wall, you may consider using cable concealer sections or tucking the wires under the baseboard trim.
Turn Off the Electrical
Photo: photographyfirm / Adobe Stock
Before creating any holes in your wall, turn off the electricity to the circuits you’ll be working near. If you’re in doubt, turn off the main breaker to the home. You can turn the power and lights back on to see what you’re doing after cutting the holes.
Make Outlet Holes
Photo: ungvar / Adobe Stock
Choose a location for the new ethernet outlet in the rooms that need wiring. Use a stud finder to ensure that there isn’t a wall stud directly behind the spot. Trace the low-voltage electrical box onto the wall with a pencil, then make a small inspection hole with a drywall or keyhole saw before cutting out the shape of the box. Repeat at each outlet location. Also, create a hole for an ethernet splitter or wiring panel, if necessary, using the same process.
Run and Hide the Cables
Photo: Gajus / Adobe Stock
This step is where your creativity will shine. Mentally follow the cable route. Using your drill and spade bit, make holes in the wall bottom or top plates to access the next wall cavity, attic, or crawl space. One trick is to peel back baseboard trim and drill holes through the wall’s bottom or studs to get to the next space. Fish tape may also come in handy for getting through skinny spaces.
Continue the process until each cable ends up at the router. As you install each one, label each cable with its destination.
Install Connectors (If Needed)
Photo: piyaphunjun / Adobe Stock
You can skip this step if you have cables that already have connectors.
If you’re using bulk wire, you’ll need to install connector ends on each cable. Strip the cable on both ends and untwist each pair of wires. Insert them into a J45 pass-through connector in order from left to right: white and orange, orange, white and green, blue, white and blue, green, white and brown, and brown. Double-check the order before crimping the wires in place and cutting off the excess with a J45 crimp and cutter tool.
Set Up Wiring Panel
Photo: Svitlana / Adobe Stock
If you’re running several ethernet cables, you may want to use a wiring panel to keep everything organized. Connect your panel to the modem and install each cable into a slot. Attach the panel to the wall or secure it into its designated hole.
Install Ethernet Outlets
Photo: v74 / Adobe Stock
Install and secure low-voltage remodeling boxes in each room that you’re wiring, and insert the cable’s end into an ethernet outlet wall plate. Use the provided screws to attach the plate to the box.
DIY installation of ethernet cable throughout your home can take some work. Getting a flexible wire through a space that you can’t reach with your hands can test your patience. However, the process is pretty straightforward, and saving the cost of installing a computer network is usually worth the effort.
However, it’s totally understandable if you’d rather continue playing or working this weekend instead of running your own ethernet cable. If that’s the case, a local network installer or nearby electrician will be happy to perform the work for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ethernet cable is low-voltage wiring that you can install as a DIY project. However, the task takes effort. Electricians and professional network installers know the ins and outs of ethernet wiring, and hiring one can save you from frustration and ensure your system works flawlessly.
Turn off your PC and insert the end of a cable into the ethernet input port. Plug the other cable end into a LAN port on your router or modem. Turn the computer back on and allow it to discover the new connections. If the PC doesn’t recognize the new connection, you may have to set it up in your computer’s settings according to the requirements of your PC.
Deane has spent 30+ years in residential construction, contracting, remodeling, maintenance, and home repair, and now contributes DIY and educational articles for publications like Forbes Home and U.S. News. Throughout his career, he has strived to help homeowners find the potential hidden within the walls of every home and empower them to take control of their household repair and remodeling endeavors.
Deane has spent 30+ years in residential construction, contracting, remodeling, maintenance, and home repair, and now contributes DIY and educational articles for publications like Forbes Home and U.S. News. Throughout his career, he has strived to help homeowners find the potential hidden within the walls of every home and empower them to take control of their household repair and remodeling endeavors.
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