How to Automatically Disable Wi-Fi on Windows 11 with Ethernet
Plugging in an Ethernet cable does not always shut off your wireless card automatically, so Wi-Fi can keep running in the background. This tutorial shows how to make Windows 11 turn Wi-Fi off whenever a cable is connected.
Open Settings Network & internet Advanced network settings More network adapter options, right-click Wi-Fi , select Properties, click Configure, go to the Advanced tab, find Disable Upon Wired Connect, and set it to Enabled. Wi-Fi now turns off automatically when you plug in Ethernet.
Why disable Wi-Fi when using Ethernet?
When you plug in a network cable, Windows prefers the faster wired line for your traffic. The Wi-Fi adapter often stays active anyway. On a laptop that can drain the battery. It can also cause connection hiccups, such as the PC switching networks mid-session or showing two active connections.
Keeping Wi-Fi off while you are wired helps your computer run more efficiently and avoids confusion about which connection is in use.
What happens when done?
Once the right setting is turned on, Windows 11 disables your Wi-Fi when it detects a wired Ethernet cable. This saves battery life and makes sure you use the more reliable Ethernet connection.
The option belongs to the Wi-Fi adapter’s driver, so whether you see it depends on your hardware. Intel wireless adapters commonly offer it. If you do not find it in the steps below, your driver does not support it, and the PowerShell method later in this tutorial is your alternative.
Quick Summary: To automatically disable Wi-Fi on Windows 11 when using Ethernet, you can adjust your network adapter settings in Device Manager or use PowerShell scripts. This ensures your computer prioritizes the stable wired connection, saves battery, and prevents network conflicts.
Method 1Using Network Adapter Settings (Requires Admin)
Changing a single setting in your network adapter's properties handles this switch automatically. The steps are the same on Windows 11 Home and Pro.
If you are on a standard account, Windows will ask for an administrator password along the way.
- Open Settings by pressing Windows key + I, or by clicking Start and then Settings. The Settings window should open.
- Click Network & internet in the left-hand list. Then choose Advanced network settings on the right. You should see a list of all your network adapters.
- On the following screen, scroll to the related settings and click More network adapter options. The classic Network Connections window opens.
The Network Connections window lists your computer's network adapters. The Wi-Fi adapter is usually named "Wi-Fi", and the wired one "Ethernet".
- Right-click the Wi-Fi adapter icon and select Properties to open its configuration options. Approve the administrator prompt if one appears.
- Click the Configure button in the window that appears. A second properties window for the adapter's hardware opens.
The "Disable Upon Wired Connect" setting controls automatic Wi-Fi deactivation on Windows 11 when an Ethernet cable connects. You will find it in the hardware properties window, on the Advanced tab.
- Click the Advanced tab.
- In the Property list, scroll until you find Disable Upon Wired Connect and select it.
- In the Value drop-down on the right, choose Enabled. Wi-Fi will now turn off automatically when Ethernet connects.
If the property is not in the list, your driver does not offer it. Updating the driver from your PC manufacturer or the adapter maker may add it, but not always.
To revert, follow the same steps and select Disabled instead.
- Click OK to save your changes and close the windows. The Wi-Fi connection may drop for a moment while the adapter reloads. A restart is not normally needed.
Method 2Automating with PowerShell
If you are comfortable with more technical steps, you can disable Wi-Fi on Windows 11 when an Ethernet cable is connected using PowerShell commands. Open PowerShell as administrator first: right-click Start and choose the Terminal (Admin) entry. If the command refers to an adapter by name, make sure the name matches what you see in Network Connections.
Disable-NetAdapter -Name "Wi-Fi" -Confirm:$false
To re-enable it, use:
Enable-NetAdapter -Name "Wi-Fi"
More details on managing these settings are available in the official Microsoft documentation.
Why does 🪟 Windows 11 automatically turn Wi-Fi back on?
Windows 11 automatically turns Wi-Fi back on when you disconnect Ethernet. Its main goal is to keep you online, so you will not lose your connection when you unplug the cable or take the laptop with you.
Summary
You can use either the network adapter settings or PowerShell to automate this. The adapter setting is the easier and more permanent route when your driver offers it. Either way, you save battery and your computer uses the more stable wired connection.
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About the Author
Richard
Tech Writer, IT Professional
Richard is a writer at Geek Rewind who turns complex IT tasks into clear, step-by-step guides. He draws on years of hands-on experience in system administration and enterprise IT operations, focusing on Windows, Linux and WordPress: the problems people actually run into, and the fixes that work. His server and WordPress guides come from systems he runs himself. Richard builds and maintains the platform behind Geek Rewind, from its Ubuntu servers and Nginx configuration to its custom WordPress plugins. Many new tutorials start with readers' questions, and he's always glad to answer them in the comments.
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