ConsoleUSB-A
adapter
RouterEthernet
USB to Ethernet adapter
It adds a wired Ethernet connection through USB, for a computer with no network port or when Wi-Fi is slow or unreliable.
See UGREEN options on AmazonHow do I connect a game console to the internet with a cable?
Last checked November 14, 2026
ConsoleEthernet
cable
RouterEthernet
Short answer
PlayStation and Xbox consoles have an Ethernet port, so a network cable from the router is enough. The original Nintendo Switch dock needs a USB LAN adapter that Nintendo lists as compatible; the Switch OLED dock and the Switch 2 dock have a port built in.
Best matchEthernet (network) cable
See UGREEN options on AmazonSame kind of part from other brands
How to connect it
- Run a Cat 6 network cable from the router to the console (or its dock).
- Turn on wired networking in the console's network settings.
- Router too far? Use powerline adapters or a mesh Wi-Fi unit with an Ethernet port.
Check this first
- PlayStation and Xbox consoles have an Ethernet port built in, so a cable is enough. The original Nintendo Switch dock has no network port, so it needs a USB LAN adapter that Nintendo lists as compatible (a plain adapter may not work). The Switch OLED dock and the Switch 2 dock both have a network port built in, so a cable is enough; the console has to sit in the dock to use it.
- Cat 6 handles gigabit speeds and is a safe choice for most homes (Cat 5e also does gigabit).
- Pick the length you need.
Other ways to do it
Instead of the Ethernet cable.
Powerline Ethernet adapter kit
It sends the network signal through your home’s electrical wiring, so no cable is needed between rooms.
See options on AmazonMesh Wi-Fi system
Two or three units spread around the home make one strong Wi-Fi network, so far rooms stop dropping out. It is the usual fix when the router is in one corner of a large or multi-floor home.
See options on AmazonQuestions people ask
Which cable should I buy?
Cat 6 handles gigabit speeds and is a safe choice for most homes.
Not your setup?
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