How to Troubleshoot RTL8153B-VB-CG USB Ethernet Connection Dropouts

How to Troubleshoot RTL8153B-VB-CG USB Ethernet Connection Dropouts

If you're facing frequent connection dropouts with your RTL8153B-VB-CG USB Ethernet adapter, it's important to break down the issue step by step to identify the cause and find a solution. Below is a detailed guide to help you troubleshoot and resolve the problem efficiently.

1. Check the Physical Connection

Potential Cause: The issue might stem from a loose or faulty USB connection.

Solution:

Ensure that the USB Ethernet adapter is securely plugged into the USB port. Try plugging the adapter into a different USB port on your computer. Preferably, use a port on the back of the PC if possible, as these often provide more stable Power and data transfer. If you're using a USB hub, try connecting the adapter directly to the computer to rule out the hub causing issues. 2. Update Device Drivers

Potential Cause: Outdated or incompatible drivers can cause intermittent dropouts.

Solution:

Open Device Manager (right-click on the Start menu and select it). Expand the Network adapters section and find your RTL8153B-VB-CG USB Ethernet adapter. Right-click on it and choose Update driver. Select Search automatically for updated driver software. Windows will search for the latest drivers and install them if available. If no update is found, you can visit the manufacturer's website to download the latest drivers and install them manually. 3. Power Settings and USB Selective Suspend

Potential Cause: USB power-saving settings might be causing the Ethernet adapter to lose connection.

Solution:

Go to Control Panel > Power Options. Click on Change plan settings next to your current power plan. Click on Change advanced power settings. In the power options window, scroll down and expand USB settings, then expand USB selective suspend setting. Set it to Disabled to prevent the system from suspending USB ports. Also, make sure that your computer’s sleep mode is not set to turn off the USB devices when the system enters sleep mode. 4. Check for Conflicting Network Settings

Potential Cause: Conflicts in network configurations (like IP address issues) can lead to frequent dropouts.

Solution:

Right-click the Network icon in the taskbar and select Open Network & Internet Settings. Click on Change adapter settings. Right-click on your Ethernet adapter and select Properties. In the properties window, double-click on Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4). Make sure that both Obtain an IP address automatically and Obtain DNS server address automatically are selected unless you have specific network configurations. Test your connection after this. 5. Test on Another Device

Potential Cause: The issue might be specific to the computer or operating system you're using.

Solution:

Plug the RTL8153B-VB-CG USB Ethernet adapter into another computer or device. If the connection works fine on another device, the issue likely lies within your computer's settings, drivers, or hardware. If the problem persists on another device, the adapter itself may be faulty. 6. Check for Interference from Other Devices or Software

Potential Cause: Other software or network-intensive programs may interfere with the USB Ethernet connection.

Solution:

Disable or uninstall any third-party firewall, VPN, or antivirus software temporarily to see if they are interfering with the Ethernet connection. Close any unnecessary programs or applications running in the background that may be consuming bandwidth. Also, check your router or modem for issues. Sometimes, the problem could be caused by an external factor, like a faulty router or network congestion. 7. Check USB Port Power Supply

Potential Cause: Insufficient power to the USB Ethernet adapter can cause frequent disconnections.

Solution:

Ensure your computer is providing enough power to the USB port. Some laptops or PCs might have limited power supply to the USB ports. If using a desktop PC, ensure the USB port is properly powered through the motherboard or use a powered USB hub. For laptops, make sure the device is plugged into AC power, as some laptops reduce USB power when running on battery. 8. Test Network Cable and Router

Potential Cause: Faulty network cables or router configurations might cause issues.

Solution:

Try a different Ethernet cable to rule out cable issues. If possible, test the connection with another router or switch to ensure there are no network hardware issues causing the dropouts. 9. Reinstall the Ethernet Adapter

Potential Cause: A corrupted installation of the USB Ethernet adapter driver could be causing the dropouts.

Solution:

Go to Device Manager. Right-click on the RTL8153B-VB-CG Ethernet adapter under Network adapters and select Uninstall device. Disconnect the adapter from the USB port. Reconnect the adapter after a few seconds, and Windows should automatically reinstall the necessary drivers.

Conclusion

By following the steps above, you can systematically troubleshoot the RTL8153B-VB-CG USB Ethernet connection dropouts. Start with simple solutions like checking the physical connection and updating drivers, and then move to more advanced troubleshooting like checking power settings and network configurations. If all else fails, it could be a hardware issue with the adapter itself, and replacing it might be necessary.