How to Get Ethernet Upstairs (2023)

It's pretty common to have your Internet router on the main floor of your home while also wanting to be able to get a quality Internet connection upstairs.

Perhaps you have some bedrooms or offices upstairs, in which you want a stable Internet connection. Or maybe you want to improve your phone's Wi-Fi signal strength while upstairs.

In either case, you have a few options for extending Internet access to your upstairs floor(s). I'll even cover how you can provide Internet access to an attic that doesn't have power.

For this article, I'll assume that you have Internet access on your main floor and want to extend it to the floor above it. Similar techniques can apply for getting Internet access to additional floors.

There are two main categories of strategies for extending your Internet connection to your upstairs floor. These strategies include connecting the second floor via wireless communication or connecting it via wired communication.

In the remainder of this article, I'll show you how you can use each strategy and its advantages and disadvantages.

Wireless Network Extension

The primary advantage of using a wireless solution for connecting your upstairs floor to your network is that it may not require drilling holes.

The simplest way to extend a Wi-Fi network is via a Wi-Fi repeater (range extender). A Wi-Fi repeater connects to your Wi-Fi devices and a Wi-Fi router in your home and retransmits any data it receives. A Wi-Fi repeater will only work if it can connect to your home's main Wi-Fi router with a good enough signal.

You have two options using a Wi-Fi repeater. Your first option is to place the repeater in a different room on your main floor, which could provide enough wireless coverage on the second floor.

If you have a Wi-Fi signal in some areas of the upstairs but not others, your second option would be to place the Wi-Fi repeater on the second floor.

Wi-Fi repeaters may also have Wi-Fi bridge capabilities, allowing you to connect wired network devices.

Advantages of a Wi-Fi Repeater:

• No or minimal wiring

Disadvantages of a Wi-Fi Repeater:

• Connection speed and reliability will drop with distance
• Obstructions will reduce signal quality
• Wi-Fi adds some latency, which isn't great for fast-paced online games
• Requires power on the second floor (if located up there)

• Great price point
• This particular Wi-Fi Repeater (Range Extender) is a bit on the slower side, at 300 Mbps, but should be fast enough for most purposes TP-Link TL-WA801N - Supports Multi-SSID/Client/Bridge/Range Extender Check Price on Amazon Amazon Affiliate Link

A mesh Wi-Fi system is similar to a Wi-Fi repeater. However, it may replace your primary router and work with multiple satellite repeater devices. With more satellite devices, you can ensure coverage throughout your upstairs floor.

Advantages of a Mesh Wi-Fi System:

• No or minimal wiring
• Can help to ensure that there are no coverage dead-zones

Disadvantages of a Mesh Wi-Fi System:

• Obstructions will reduce signal quality
• Wi-Fi adds some latency, which isn't great for fast-paced online games
• Requires power on the second floor (if located up there)

• Wi-Fi 6 for some of the fastest Wi-Fi speeds
• Supports up to 40 devices at once
• Satellite extender helps to eliminate dead zones NETGEAR Orbi Whole Home Tri-band Mesh WiFi 6 System Check Price on Amazon Amazon Affiliate Link

Wired Network Extension

Wired solutions generally provide faster speeds and lower latency than wireless solutions.

Wired solutions often require drilling some holes, although we'll go over a few solutions which don't require doing this!

Some of these solutions only provide a wired Ethernet connection. If you want Wi-Fi, you'll need to use these in combination with a Wi-Fi access point. The Wi-Fi repeater and mesh systems I listed above can also be configured as access points.

Example MoCA Home Network Kevin Jones / TechReviewer

A pair of MoCA adapters allows you to use a coax cable for Ethernet communication. Coax cables are the cables that are typically used for cable Internet or TV. MoCA adapters behave like an extension for an Ethernet cable. Multi-node configurations can also function as an Ethernet hub.

Some modems may include built-in MoCA support, making it so that you only need a single adapter.

Learn more about MoCA adapters in my article, Ethernet Over Coax?! A Complete Guide to MoCA Adapters.

Advantages of Ethernet over Coax (MoCA):

• Use a home's existing coax cables for wiring
• Fast throughput of up to 2.5 Gbps
• Plug and play setup (no configuration required)

Disadvantages of Ethernet over Coax (MoCA):

• Requires a Point of Entry (POE) filter for improved security
• Requires power on the second floor

• While older versions only use a 1 Gbps network port, the ECB7250 uses a 2.5 Gbps Ethernet port, allowing for maximum network utilization.
• I own a pair of these adapters, and they work great!
• Includes most of what you'll need, including two adapters and power supplies, two network cables, two coax cables, and a coax splitter.
• The manufacturer could improve the instructions regarding using the MPS button for encryption, but that won't be needed for most installations.
• Initial installation is very straightforward.
• Check the latest price of the Actiontec ECB7250 Bonded MoCA 2.5 Network Adapter on Amazon (affiliate link). Actiontec ECB7250 Bonded MoCA 2.5 Network Adapter Check Price on Amazon Amazon Affiliate Link
• Suppose you are a cable Internet or TV customer. In that case, you'll probably want also to buy a MoCA POE Filter if your ISP didn't already install one (for improved security): MoCA 'POE' Coax Filter Check Price on Amazon Amazon Affiliate Link

Suppose your upstairs floor is on the same circuit as the rest of your house. In that case, Powerline adapters may be a great solution. I discuss this same-circuit requirement more in my article, Do Powerline Adapters Need to Be on the Same Circuit?.

A pair of Powerline adapters allows you to use AC wiring for Ethernet communication. Powerline adapters behave like an extension for an Ethernet cable. You can create an Ethernet network by simply plugging a pair of Powerline adapters into your wall outlets. Powerline adapters can communicate over the same wires as you use for AC power transmission.

Advantages of Powerline Adapters:

• Easy wiring using existing power outlets (connect an Ethernet cable)
• Low cost (compared to MoCA adapters)
• Encrypted (some products)
• Up to a 300-meter range
• Some models have built-in Wi-Fi
• Plug and play setup (no configuration required)

Disadvantages of Powerline Adapters:

• Often a lower connection speed of around 150-350 Mbps compared to the advertised 1-2 Gbps
• Powerline devices need to be on the same electrical circuit
• May cause noticeable electromagnetic interference with some devices such as speakers (static sound)
• Power strip, GFCI outlets, and AFCI circuit breakers may degrade Powerline network signals
• Some models block an outlet when connecting directly into a wall outlet
• Requires power on the second floor

• This model includes some great features:
  • An extra passthrough Ethernet port
  • An extra outlet (although the device will block part of a second wall outlet)
  • 2 Gbps (theoretical) speeds
  • Support for encryption
  NETGEAR Powerline Adapter Kit, 2000 Mbps Check Price on Amazon Amazon Affiliate Link

Sometimes the easiest solution is to run a wire between your upstairs and downstairs. Ethernet cables can connect a single device with wired Internet access. For additional devices, you could use an Ethernet switch upstairs.

Ethernet cables such as Cat 6a can reach 100 meters before needing an Ethernet switch to repeat the signal.

Learn more about Ethernet cable types in my article, Cat 5e vs. Cat 6a - Which to Buy?.

Advantages of Ethernet Cable:

• Fast Speed
• Low Latency

Disadvantages of Ethernet Cable:

• May require that you drill a hole in your ceiling/floor
• Requires power on the second floor

• Finding Ethernet cables that comply with their category rating can be tricky. Some manufacturers use misleading or incorrect naming, and their cables do not allow you to get the maximum expected speeds. I recommend the Tripp Lite Cat 6a cable. Tripp Lite Cat6a Cable 10G-Certified Check Price on Amazon Amazon Affiliate Link

• The TL-SG108 is a well-known and reliable network switch.
• I own this exact switch model and have been using it without any problems for many years.
• It supports Ethernet speeds of up to 1 Gbps.
• Due to the fanless design, it is silent.
• It uses solid capacitors, which means that it should last a long time.
• It's an unmanaged switch, meaning that it's plug and play, and no configuration is required. TP-Link TL-SG108 - 8 Port Gigabit Unmanaged Ethernet Network Switch Check Price on Amazon Amazon Affiliate Link

Using a Power over Ethernet (PoE) wireless access point, you can provide Wi-Fi access to your upstairs even if it doesn't have power.

PoE Wi-Fi access points are supplied power via the network cable.

Advantages of PoE Wireless Access Point:

• It doesn't require power on the second floor

Disadvantages of PoE Wireless Access Point:

• May require that you drill a hole in your ceiling/floor

• Includes a PoE adapter

TP-Link EAP225 V3 - PoE Powered - Gigabit Wireless Access Point

Building Your Network

If you want to learn more about cable internet equipment, networking, wiring, or troubleshooting, check out these articles:

• Essential Equipment Guide for Cable Internet
• Ethernet Over Coax?! A Complete Guide to MoCA Adapters
• How to Choose the Best Cable Modem for Gaming
• Cat 5e vs. Cat 6a - Which to Buy?
• How to Connect Ethernet Cables - Network Switches & Couplers
• Ultimate Cable Internet Wiring & Optimization Guide
• Ultimate Cable Internet Troubleshooting Guide
• MoCA vs. Powerline? Which You Should Buy
• How to Set Up and Use MoCA Adapters
• How to Set Up and Use Powerline Adapters

A Note From the Authors