topic Re: Internet not connecting for around 30 seconds after pc boot in Broadband & Landline

Internet not connecting for around 30 seconds after pc boot

Invi — Fri, 26 Apr 2024 11:17:56 GMT

As the title says, My internet isn't connecting via ethernet for around 30 seconds after the PC first boots. It's not a major issue, more of an annoyance as any apps that need the internet for updates etc on first boot throw out error messages.

I've tried a different cable, updating and reinstalling ethernet drivers, tried a laptop, tried another pc, all have the same issues which leads me to believe its a router/configuration problem on the router end.

Any help would be appreciated

Re: Internet not connecting for around 30 seconds after pc boot

Chris_B — Fri, 26 Apr 2024 12:42:02 GMT

@Invi That’s how PCs work it needs time to make that connection as the PC is still starting up.

Re: Internet not connecting for around 30 seconds after pc boot

chistery — Fri, 26 Apr 2024 12:57:47 GMT

Try a static IP and DNS?

Re: Internet not connecting for around 30 seconds after pc boot

Invi — Fri, 26 Apr 2024 13:11:46 GMT

With my Virgin media connection it connects straight away, there's no wait time, so that is untrue.

Re: Internet not connecting for around 30 seconds after pc boot

Invi — Fri, 26 Apr 2024 13:22:07 GMT

I have tried this and no success

Re: Internet not connecting for around 30 seconds after pc boot

XRaySpeX — Fri, 26 Apr 2024 13:38:50 GMT

It could very well take 30 secs for a router to come fully online after a reboot of it but once it's online a PC should be able to connect to it within secs of its OS being loaded.

Re: Internet not connecting for around 30 seconds after pc boot

Invi — Fri, 26 Apr 2024 13:43:14 GMT

The router isn't being rebooted, just the PC, however it takes the PC/Router a bout 30 seconds to recognise each other and give internet access

Re: Internet not connecting for around 30 seconds after pc boot

XRaySpeX — Fri, 26 Apr 2024 14:24:28 GMT

I was just pointing out that such a start-up timing might apply to a router but shouldn't to a PC. My Ethernet connected Windows PC once it has passed the BIOS load (whatever it's called) shows it's Ethernet connected to router more or less immediately on the initial Login screen (with the Monitor icon).

Re: Internet not connecting for around 30 seconds after pc boot

Invi — Sun, 28 Apr 2024 09:14:36 GMT

Still no luck, tried everything that I can think of at this point

Re: Internet not connecting for around 30 seconds after pc boot

Britboy4321 — Fri, 08 Aug 2025 12:43:26 GMT

@invy @ know you wrote this ages ago but for anyone coming to this thread HERE IS A GREAT SOLUTION.

Plug in a WIFI dongle and get it connected (so unplug your ethernet just whilst you do that).

Now ALSO plug back in the ethernet so EITHER can now get a connection.

That WIFI instantly connects the second the PC is booted up, every single time. You can surf or whatever. About 30 seconds later the little icon will recognise your ETHERNET connection and flip to that - you won't even notice, but now you're up to full speed.

A gazillion times better than having no internet for 30 seconds every time.

So sure, you only have WIFI speeds for 30 seconds, but who cares!

Re: Internet not connecting for around 30 seconds after pc boot

togsdragracing — Fri, 08 Aug 2025 13:34:19 GMT

Had exactly the same issue. Looking at the tech log on the router, whilst my device was firing up and trying to connect the ethernet port involved was down and up a number of times before staying up and allowing the device through. I was also finding that other ethernet devices were disconnecting almost at random, again the router's tech log showed the relevant ethernet port going down and up a number of times then stabilising. I did wonder whether my ethernet cable was too long for the router's liking (not officially but worth wondering) or whether there was a signal strength issue (ditto). I put a TP-Link ethernet switch in between my device and the router and it now connects within moments on startup.

Re: Internet not connecting for around 30 seconds after pc boot

JimM11 — Fri, 08 Aug 2025 13:59:17 GMT

@togsdragracing Been posted up on the Forum for over a year now!

Re: Internet not connecting for around 30 seconds after pc boot

Richardr66 — Fri, 08 Aug 2025 14:02:27 GMT

There are a number of threads about this issue, and it is a problem with the EE router. WiFi will work immediately, but for some reason an Ethernet connexion takes 30 or so seconds. I have the same issue with my Apple TV 4K which is connected via Ethernet.

See https://community.ee.co.uk/t5/Broadband-Landline/Wired-connection-slow-to-connect/td-p/1364110 as an example. The solution some have there is the same as you, to have a powered Ethernet switch between the router and the computer / other equipment as that keeps the Ethernet port awake.

The end of that thread implies that it can be fixed in a firmware update, but I've not had that update, and there is no sign of others having had it [albeit from the very small sample who post about it]. I imagine that this issue doesn't help with some of the other issues people have with connecting the Hub via Ethernet to hardware such as a Sky box, which will likely fail at first.

Re: Internet not connecting for around 30 seconds after pc boot

JimM11 — Fri, 08 Aug 2025 14:25:50 GMT

@Richardr66 Has been reported by an EE Employee that it has been fixed and is destined to be released but as yet that FW has not reached out to a single unit yet! Pipeline is full off if/and/but!

Re: Internet not connecting for around 30 seconds after pc boot

Ash1170 — Mon, 12 Jan 2026 12:37:48 GMT

Same issue crazy

Re: Internet not connecting for around 30 seconds after pc boot

Leanne_T — Mon, 12 Jan 2026 15:15:00 GMT

Hi there @Ash1170

Thanks for coming to the community.

Which router are you using? Does any other device disconnect or is this only the desktop?

Speak soon 🙂

Leanne.