The eero Beacon has no Ethernet port, so a slow wired connection on an eero network is never at the Beacon: it is at the gateway eero or at another eero that has ports, such as an eero router or Pro. The slow wired device is plugged into a different unit, and the question is why that link is slow. Check the cable first, because an old or damaged cable can negotiate 100 Mbps instead of gigabit; replace it with a Cat 5e or Cat 6 cable.
The checks in more detail
Then the port: try another port on the eero or on the switch. If the wired device is on an eero that is itself connected to the gateway by Wi-Fi, its wired speed is limited by that wireless hop, and the cure is to connect that eero to the gateway by cable or to move it closer. A Beacon does not help a wired device at all, because it only extends Wi-Fi.
Test with a speed test on the wired device and on a phone near the gateway to compare. A switch between the eero and the device can limit speed if it is a 100 Mbps model. If you need a wired port in a far room, buy an eero router or Pro for that spot, not a Beacon, and connect it by cable to the gateway if you can, which gives both a port and a strong signal.
Mixing models in one network is fine, and the app manages them together. Test the cable by moving the device to another eero port or by testing the cable between two devices that you know are fast. If the device is a computer, check the network adapter's speed setting in its properties, since some adapters are set to a fixed 100 Mbps by mistake and negotiate wrongly with the eero port.
Differential
Likely causes of “eero Beacon Ethernet link is limited to 100 Mbps or disconnects”, and how to tell them apart
- 1
An old or damaged Ethernet cable
What separates it The link runs at 100 Mbps
How to confirm Replace it with Cat 5e or Cat 6
- 2
A wireless backhaul to the eero
What separates it Wired speed matches Wi-Fi speed
How to confirm Wire that eero to the gateway or move it nearer
- 3
A 100 Mbps switch
What separates it Speed tops out at 100 Mbps
How to confirm Use a gigabit switch
- 4
A wrong expectation of the Beacon
What separates it The device is plugged into a Beacon
How to confirm A Beacon has no Ethernet; use an eero with ports
- 5
A busy network
What separates it Speed falls at peak times
How to confirm Check other devices and the provider plan
Before you touch a setting
Record this first — changing settings destroys the evidence
- Which eero the wired device is plugged into
- The cable and switch
- The speed on the wired device and on Wi-Fi near the gateway
- Whether that eero uses wired or wireless backhaul
Try in this order
0 of 8 completedIdentify the eero with the wired device
ReversibleA Beacon cannot be it.
Replace the cable
ReversibleUse a Cat 5e or Cat 6 cable.
Try another port
ReversibleOn the eero or the switch.
Check the backhaul
ReversibleWire that eero to the gateway if it is wireless.
Test speeds
ReversibleOn the wired device and on Wi-Fi near the gateway.
Check the provider plan
ReversibleIf speeds are low everywhere.
Use an eero with ports for a wired spot
ReversibleChoose a model that has Ethernet ports.
Run a cable to it if possible
ReversibleWired backhaul gives the best speed.
Model-specific
What is true of this model and not of its siblings
- No ports
- The Beacon is Wi-Fi only.
- Backhaul
- An eero linked by Wi-Fi limits its wired ports.
- Mixing models
- eero routers and Beacons work together.
- Wired spots
- A Beacon cannot provide a port.
Stop boundary
When this stops being a self-service repair
- !If a good cable gives only 100 Mbps, try another port, then contact eero support
- !If speeds are low everywhere, contact your provider
- !Check the link speed in the eero app
Evidence ledger
Sources behind this answer
Exact questions
Common questions
Does the eero Beacon have an Ethernet port?+
No.
Why is my wired speed slow?+
A cable, a switch or a wireless backhaul.
Can a Beacon speed up a wired device?+
No.
What cable should I use?+
Cat 5e or Cat 6.
Can I mix eero models?+
Yes.
Which eero has ports?+
The routers and Pro models.