Set a Network Adapter Priority in Windows 10/11 to Prefer Ethernet Over Wi-Fi
Difficulty: Intermediate |
Time Required: 10 minutes
If your PC is connected to both
Ethernet and
Wi-Fi at the same time, Windows usually tries to choose the best network route automatically. In many cases that works fine, but sometimes you may want to
force Windows to prefer the wired Ethernet connection for better speed, lower latency, improved stability, or more reliable access to local network resources.
This is especially useful for desktop PCs, docking stations, work-from-home setups, game downloads, file transfers, remote desktop sessions, and systems that stay plugged into a router or switch most of the time.
In this tutorial, we’ll walk through how to set network adapter priority in
Windows 10 and Windows 11 so Ethernet is used before Wi-Fi.
Prerequisites
Before you begin, make sure:
- Your PC has both an Ethernet adapter and a Wi-Fi adapter
- Ethernet is physically connected and working
- You are signed in with an account that has administrator privileges
- You are comfortable opening Network Connections and adapter settings
Note: Microsoft changed some network interface behavior in newer Windows builds, so the older “Adapters and Bindings” method is no longer the primary approach in modern Windows 10/11. The best current method is usually adjusting the interface metric.
How Windows Chooses Between Ethernet and Wi-Fi
Windows uses something called an
interface metric to decide which network adapter gets priority. A
lower metric value means
higher priority.
By default, Windows often assigns this automatically. To prefer Ethernet over Wi-Fi, you can manually set:
- Ethernet to a lower metric
- Wi-Fi to a higher metric
This gives you more consistent control than relying on automatic selection.
Method 1: Set Adapter Priority Using Interface Metrics in Network Settings
This is the most reliable method for both Windows 10 and Windows 11.
Step 1: Open Network Connections
- Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog.
- Type
ncpa.cpl
- Press Enter
This opens the classic
Network Connections window, where all adapters are listed.
Tip: If you prefer, you can also reach this from:
- Windows 11: Settings > Network & internet > Advanced network settings > More network adapter options
- Windows 10: Control Panel > Network and Internet > Network Connections
Step 2: Open Ethernet adapter properties
- In the Network Connections window, locate your Ethernet adapter.
- It may be named Ethernet, Local Area Connection, or vendor-specific text such as Intel or Realtek.
- Right-click the Ethernet adapter and choose Properties.
- In the list, select Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4).
- Click Properties.
- In the next window, click Advanced.
Step 3: Disable automatic metric for Ethernet
- In the Advanced TCP/IP Settings window, look for Automatic metric.
- Uncheck Automatic metric.
- In the Interface metric box, enter a low number such as:
5
- Click OK.
- Click OK again to close the IPv4 properties.
- Click Close to exit the adapter properties.
Why this helps: Lower numbers have higher priority. Setting Ethernet to 5 tells Windows to strongly prefer it over other adapters with higher values.
Step 4: Set a higher metric for Wi-Fi
- Back in Network Connections, right-click your Wi-Fi adapter and choose Properties.
- Select Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4).
- Click Properties.
- Click Advanced.
- Uncheck Automatic metric.
- Set Interface metric to a higher number such as:
25
- Click OK.
- Click OK again.
- Click Close.
Suggested values:
You do not have to use these exact numbers. The important part is that
Ethernet must be lower than Wi-Fi.
Step 5: Repeat for IPv6 if needed
If your network uses
IPv6, repeat the same process for:
- Internet Protocol Version 6 (TCP/IPv6) on Ethernet
- Internet Protocol Version 6 (TCP/IPv6) on Wi-Fi
Set the same priority pattern:
- Ethernet = lower metric
- Wi-Fi = higher metric
Note: Many home users still rely mainly on IPv4, but modern routers and ISPs may use IPv6 too. If you want consistent behavior, it’s a good idea to configure both.
Step 6: Restart the network connection or reboot
To make sure the change is fully applied:
- Disable and re-enable both adapters, or
- Restart your PC
A reboot is the simplest option if you want to be sure Windows refreshes all routing behavior.
Method 2: Verify Which Adapter Windows Is Using
After changing priority, it’s a good idea to confirm that Ethernet is now preferred.
Option A: Use Command Prompt
- Open Command Prompt as Administrator.
- Run:
route print
- Look for the Interface List and the active routes.
Windows should now favor the adapter with the lower metric when both connections are available.
Option B: Check adapter status
- Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
- Go to the Performance tab.
- Click Wi-Fi and Ethernet.
If Ethernet is handling the traffic while both are connected, you should see more activity there for most network tasks.
Option C: Use PowerShell
Open
PowerShell as Administrator and run:
Get-NetIPInterface | Sort-Object InterfaceMetric | Format-Table ifIndex,InterfaceAlias,AddressFamily,InterfaceMetric
This displays the current interface metrics so you can confirm Ethernet has the lower value.
Windows 10/11 Note: PowerShell is one of the easiest ways to verify your changes on newer builds.
Optional: Set Priority Using PowerShell
If you prefer a command-line method, you can set the interface metric directly.
Step 1: Find interface names
Open
PowerShell as Administrator and run:
Get-NetIPInterface
Look for your
Ethernet and
Wi-Fi interface names.
Step 2: Set the metrics
Use commands like these:
Code:
Set-NetIPInterface -InterfaceAlias "Ethernet" -AddressFamily IPv4 -InterfaceMetric 5
Set-NetIPInterface -InterfaceAlias "Wi-Fi" -AddressFamily IPv4 -InterfaceMetric 25
If needed, do the same for IPv6:
Code:
Set-NetIPInterface -InterfaceAlias "Ethernet" -AddressFamily IPv6 -InterfaceMetric 5
Set-NetIPInterface -InterfaceAlias "Wi-Fi" -AddressFamily IPv6 -InterfaceMetric 25
Warning: Make sure the interface names match exactly what your system shows. Some systems may use names like "Ethernet 2" or "Wireless Network Connection".
Tips and Troubleshooting
1. Ethernet still isn’t preferred
If Windows still seems to use Wi-Fi first:
- Confirm the Ethernet cable is connected properly
- Check that the Ethernet adapter has internet access
- Make sure Ethernet has a lower metric than Wi-Fi
- Reboot after making the changes
- Repeat the settings for both IPv4 and IPv6
2. Disable Wi-Fi when docked or wired
Some laptop vendors provide software or BIOS/UEFI options to automatically disable Wi-Fi when Ethernet is connected. If your device supports that feature, it can be an even cleaner solution.
3. VPN software can affect route priority
If you use a
VPN, it may create its own virtual adapter and routes, which can override normal interface priority. In that case, review the VPN client’s routing settings as well.
4. Corporate networks may apply policy settings
On work-managed PCs, Group Policy or endpoint management tools may reset adapter settings. If your changes do not stick, your IT administrator may be enforcing network configuration rules.
5. Don’t use extremely low or random values unless needed
Simple values like
5 and
25 are usually enough. There’s no special advantage to setting Ethernet to
1 unless you are carefully managing several adapters.
Helpful Tip: If you regularly move between wired and wireless setups, leaving Wi-Fi enabled is still fine. Windows should prefer Ethernet automatically once the metrics are set correctly.
Windows Version Notes
- Windows 10: Fully supports manual interface metrics through classic adapter settings and PowerShell.
- Windows 11: Also supports the same method, although many networking options are now split between the Settings app and classic Control Panel windows.
- Older tutorials: You may see references to changing adapter order from Advanced Settings > Adapters and Bindings. That method is no longer the main option in modern Windows 10/11 and may not be available.
Conclusion
Setting network adapter priority in Windows 10 or Windows 11 is a simple but useful tweak when your PC uses both wired and wireless connections. By assigning a
lower interface metric to Ethernet and a
higher one to Wi-Fi, you can help Windows consistently choose the faster and more stable wired connection first.
This can improve performance for downloads, streaming, gaming, remote work, and access to local devices on your network.
Key Takeaways:
- A lower interface metric gives a network adapter higher priority
- Set Ethernet lower than Wi-Fi to prefer the wired connection
- Configure both IPv4 and IPv6 for best results
- PowerShell can help you verify or apply the settings quickly
- This tweak is useful for stability, speed, and predictable network behavior
This tutorial was generated to help WindowsForum.com users get the most out of their Windows experience.