Can't have both powered on

I recently wanted to speed up my computers internet speed so I bought a 50ft ethernet cable to use instead of WiFi through 3 levels of the house. My Xbox in the same room as my computer is already connected via ethernet so I figured I could simply split the ethernet in this room so that instead of going directly to the Xbox it now goes to the Xbox and the computer. This however does not work; I cannot have both of them powered on and use the internet on both of them. My computer will only connect to the internet if the Xbox is off and vice versa.

Any help will be appreciated.

 

Hi mplsleprechaun, and welcome to Computer Help Forums
I'm not an expert in this area, but as you have found out, what you are trying will not work. You can buy splitters for ethernet cable, but my understanding of this is that your internet speed would be reduced, and you could end up with an unstable connection.

I would suggest that you buy another 50ft ethernet cable and plug it into a second port on your router. Most routers have at least two ethernet ports.

Someone else may have a better suggestion for you. But a second cable will give you very good results.

 

Just to add to PseFranks advice, I would think with how you have described you would be getting conflicting IP addresses (with both PC & Xbox turned on) by being connected through the same cable.

Another option other than having another cable trailing through your house is to get an Ethernet switch, you could connect one Ethernet cable to it and then connect your devices to the switch, they would be a bit more costly than a cable though about £10-£30 for a gigabit one.

 

I run a 50ft ethernet cable through the roof to the end office and then through a powered TP-LINK Ethernet switch box.
No issues whatsoever. Have both Computers running at the same time off the switch.
IP Addresses are the same.