In our increasingly connected digital lives, a reliable and high-performing internet connection is essential. Whether you’re streaming, gaming, working from home, or transferring large files, Ethernet often provides the speed and stability that Wi-Fi sometimes lacks. But if you’ve delved into the settings of your Ethernet adapter and noticed something called “Power Saving Mode” or “Energy Efficient Ethernet (EEE),” you might have asked yourself: Should I turn off power saving mode on Ethernet?
TL;DR
Turning off Ethernet power saving mode can improve your network stability and reduce issues like lag, packet loss, or delayed connectivity—especially on high-bandwidth or latency-sensitive applications like gaming or video conferencing. While energy savings in this mode are minimal for most users, the performance improvements can be significant. However, the exact benefit depends on your hardware, operating system, and how you use your network. If you’re experiencing Ethernet-related issues, disabling power saving is often worth trying.
What Is Ethernet Power Saving Mode?
Ethernet power saving mode, also commonly referred to as Energy Efficient Ethernet (EEE), is a feature introduced by the IEEE 802.3az standard. It allows Ethernet devices such as network adapters, switches, and routers to reduce power usage during periods of low network activity. When an Ethernet link is idle, the adapter signals the device to enter a low-power state, theoretically saving energy.
Key Goals of Ethernet Power Saving Mode:
- Reduce overall power consumption of networked devices
- Support green computing initiatives
- Decrease heat output in data centers and office environments
While this may sound beneficial, there can be a downside—especially for users who prioritize performance over energy savings.
Common Issues Caused by Ethernet Power Saving Mode
Though designed for efficiency, power saving mode can sometimes negatively impact networking performance. Here’s why:
- Latency: When power saving mode is enabled, there can be a brief delay when the Ethernet adapter transitions from low-power to full-power mode. This increased latency can be noticeable in real-time applications.
- Intermittent Connectivity: Some users report that enabling this mode leads to random connection drops or timeouts, especially when waking a device from sleep.
- Packet Loss: Energy saving features can lead to minor interruptions in data flow, which may result in dropped packets—problematic during large file transfers or online gaming.
- Incompatibility with Older Hardware: While newer routers and switches are designed to support EEE, older devices may not handle these transitions well.
If you’ve been troubleshooting your Ethernet connection for stability issues, EEE might be the silent culprit.
Performance vs. Efficiency: What Are You Really Saving?
Let’s take a closer look at the actual efficiency gains from enabling Ethernet power saving mode. Modern Ethernet adapters are already quite power efficient, consuming only a few watts even at full performance. While EEE can reduce this by a small margin (say, 1–2 watts), the resulting energy savings over a year are often negligible for the average home user—usually just a few dollars in electricity costs.
Example:
If your Ethernet adapter reduces power usage from 6 watts to 4 watts for 12 hours per day, that’s a savings of around 8.76 kWh per year—roughly equivalent to $1 USD in electricity (depending on your local rates).
In contrast, a lag spike during an online multiplayer match or a dropped Zoom call during a presentation could have far greater intangible costs.
When Should You Turn Off Ethernet Power Saving Mode?
Not everyone will benefit from disabling the power saving feature. However, you should consider turning it off under the following circumstances:
- You rely on your network for low-latency applications such as online gaming or streaming.
- Your connection frequently drops or your device takes time to re-establish a connection after waking from sleep.
- You use Voice-over-IP (VoIP) or real-time collaboration tools professionally.
- You’re not overly concerned about minimizing electricity consumption for one device.
Who might want to keep it on? Users in enterprise environments with hundreds of devices might value small energy savings at scale. Likewise, environmentally conscious individuals may choose to keep the function enabled when performance is not a concern.
How to Check and Disable Ethernet Power Saving Mode
Disabling this feature is relatively simple and can be done directly through Windows or your device’s BIOS/firmware settings:
In Windows:
- Right-click the Start menu and choose Device Manager.
- Expand the Network Adapters section and double-click your Ethernet adapter.
- Go to the Power Management tab.
- Uncheck “Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power”.
- Alternatively, check the Advanced tab for an option labeled Energy Efficient Ethernet or similar and set it to Disabled.
Via BIOS/Firmware:
Some PCs and motherboards include their own power management utilities at the firmware level. During boot (usually by pressing DEL or F2), navigate to “Advanced” or “Power” settings to see if your system offers Ethernet energy savings options.
Real-World User Experiences
Forums, Reddit threads, and tech support communities are filled with stories of users who stumbled upon Ethernet power management settings while investigating slow or unreliable connections. In many of these anecdotes, disabling the feature led to noticeably improved internet stability and throughput.
Gamers often note decreased lag and fewer connection drops, while remote workers report faster and more reliable reconnections after sleep or hibernation.
That said, not every user sees a difference. The effectiveness of turning off EEE may depend on the model of your hardware and how it interacts with other network equipment.
Final Verdict
So, should you turn off power saving mode on Ethernet?
For most home or performance-focused users, the answer is yes. The marginal loss in power saving is outweighed by the gains in reliability, reduced lag, and lower risk of connection issues. For enterprise setups or eco-conscious users with light network needs, leaving it enabled may still make sense.
Ultimately, it’s a low-risk change you can easily reverse. If you’re seeing frustrating symptoms on your Ethernet connection, disabling power saving mode is a simple, worthwhile tweak.
Pro Tip:
If you’re tweaking Ethernet settings, it’s also a good time to update your network driver from the manufacturer’s website. Outdated drivers can sometimes conflict with power management settings and cause problems of their own.
The next time your internet stutters or your download speed plunges for no clear reason, consider giving Ethernet settings a closer look—it just might save you hours of troubleshooting.
