How to Disable an Ethernet Connection in Windows 10

To turn off a wired Ethernet connection in Windows 10, disable its network adapter in the classic Network Connections window. Press Windows + R, enter ncpa.cpl, and press Enter. Then right-click the correct Ethernet adapter and choose Disable. Windows may ask for administrator approval.

This turns off the adapter, so every connection that uses it stops working until you enable it again. It does not necessarily disconnect the whole PC: Windows can still use Wi-Fi, cellular data, or another network adapter. If you are controlling the PC remotely over Ethernet, do not disable that adapter unless you have another way to reconnect.

Before you disable Ethernet

Windows can show more than one wired-style adapter. A desktop might have a built-in Ethernet port plus a USB or dock adapter; a PC can also list virtual adapters. Names such as Ethernet and Ethernet 2 are adapter labels, and your device may use a manufacturer-specific name instead. The adapter description identifies the hardware; the status line describes its current connection.

Confirm which adapter is connected to the cable or dock you want to stop. Leave Wi-Fi alone if you want wireless networking to keep working. If you are unsure, use the read-only PowerShell check later in this guide before making a change.

Disable the Ethernet adapter in Network Connections

1. Open the adapter list

Press Windows + R, type ncpa.cpl, and press Enter. The Network Connections window opens directly. If you prefer to navigate through Control Panel, open Control Panel > Network and Internet > Network and Sharing Center, then select Change adapter settings on the left.

2. Identify the Ethernet adapter

Find the tile named Ethernet, Ethernet 2, or the label used by your PC. Compare the device description beneath the name when multiple adapters appear. A wireless adapter is usually labeled Wi-Fi and may include “Wireless” in its device description. Do not choose a Wi-Fi tile or a virtual adapter by mistake.

If the names are unclear, open Windows PowerShell and run Get-NetAdapter. Review the Name, InterfaceDescription, and Status columns to match the adapter to its hardware. The command only lists adapter details; it does not change the connection.

3. Disable the adapter

Right-click the Ethernet tile and select Disable. Approve the administrator prompt if Windows displays one. The adapter may become gray or show a disabled status. Any network session using that adapter—including internet access, shared drives, or a remote desktop connection—will be interrupted. Other adapters remain available, so Windows may switch to Wi-Fi automatically.

4. Turn Ethernet back on when needed

Return to Network Connections, right-click the disabled Ethernet tile, and choose Enable. Wait for Windows to refresh its status. If the cable is connected and the network is available, the adapter should reconnect; a dock or USB Ethernet adapter may need to be plugged in first.

Optional: use PowerShell

For an administrator workflow, first run Get-NetAdapter and copy the exact value in the Name column. In an elevated PowerShell window, replace Ethernet below with that exact name:

Disable-NetAdapter -Name "Ethernet"

To restore the adapter, run:

Enable-NetAdapter -Name "Ethernet"

Microsoft documents that disabling an adapter causes loss of connectivity through that adapter, and that an adapter must be enabled to connect. Do not run a disable command against an adapter used to manage a remote computer. See the official Disable-NetAdapter, Enable-NetAdapter, and Get-NetAdapter references.

If the adapter is missing or the command is unavailable

• If the context menu says Enable, the adapter is already disabled. Choose Enable to restore it.
• If Disable is unavailable or Windows asks for credentials, sign in with an administrator account or ask the device administrator to make the change.
• If no Ethernet adapter appears, check whether a USB or dock adapter is connected, then look under Device Manager > Network adapters. Windows may not be detecting the device or its driver. Follow Microsoft's Ethernet connection troubleshooting steps if you are trying to restore a missing or malfunctioning adapter.

For Ethernet address and network details in Windows, see Microsoft's essential network settings guide.