When troubleshooting network performance, one of the most overlooked culprits is bad cabling. In a recent test, I connected a device that should have been running at 1 Gb speeds, only to find it dropping down to 100 Mb. At first glance, the problem seemed like it could be related to the switch, the device, or even a configuration issue, but the real problem was hidden in the cable itself. A poorly terminated connector or a damaged pair inside the cable can easily force devices to negotiate at lower speeds.
This drop in speed isn’t just a number—it directly affects how a device performs in real-world use. File transfers take longer, streaming can stutter, and latency-sensitive applications like VoIP or online gaming suffer noticeable performance hits. The worst part is that many users assume the issue lies with their internet service provider, when in reality the fault is right in the physical cabling between their device and the network. A simple cable swap often brings the connection back to its full potential.
The key takeaway is that network cabling matters just as much as the equipment it connects. A cable that looks fine on the outside can still have flaws that impact speed and reliability. That’s why it’s important to test and verify your cables with the right tools or, at the very least, replace questionable ones before chasing other fixes. In my demonstration, as soon as I replaced the faulty cable, the device immediately returned to running at gigabit speeds—a simple solution to what could have been a frustrating problem.
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