DIY Guide: Installing an Ethernet Jack in Your Wall – A Step-by-Step Tutorial

Tired of unreliable Wi-Fi or unsightly Ethernet cables snaking across your floor? Installing an Ethernet jack in your wall is a fantastic solution for creating a clean and efficient wired network in your home or office. While it might seem daunting, with the right tools and a bit of patience, this is a manageable DIY project for most homeowners. This comprehensive guide will walk you through each step of the process, ensuring a successful installation.

Before You Begin: Planning and Preparation

Before you even think about picking up a tool, careful planning is crucial. Consider the following:

• Location: Where will the Ethernet jack be located? Think about the devices you’ll be connecting. Is it near your router, a desktop computer, gaming console, or Smart TV? Choose a location that is easily accessible and doesn’t interfere with furniture placement. Also, make sure the location doesn’t have obstructions like plumbing or electrical wiring inside the wall.
• Cable Path: Determine how you’ll run the Ethernet cable from your router to the new jack. Will you go through the attic, basement, or crawl space? Plan a route that avoids sharp bends, excessive length, and areas where the cable could be damaged. Consider any fire blocking and how you will navigate around or through it.
• Tools and Materials: Gather all the necessary tools and materials to avoid interruptions during the process. Here’s a comprehensive list:
• Ethernet Cable: Choose the correct type (Cat5e, Cat6, or Cat6a) and buy enough to cover the distance plus a little extra. Cat6 or Cat6a are recommended for newer installations due to higher data transfer speeds, but cat5e is fine for most basic home applications. Solid-core copper wire is the standard and preferable for in wall permanent installation as opposed to stranded wire which is designed for flexibility.
• Ethernet Wall Plate: Select a wall plate with a compatible keystone jack opening. A single port or multi-port as required.
• Keystone Jack: Purchase a keystone jack that matches your cable type (Cat5e, Cat6, or Cat6a). There are variations, make sure that you choose the style that matches your tool (punch down tool or tool-less).
• Low-Voltage Mounting Bracket (Old-Work Box): This will secure the Ethernet jack to the drywall. Also called a “mud ring” or “low voltage box”, choose a plastic version (not metal), which is safer and easier to work with, and the most common installation type.
• Stud Finder: To help locate wall studs and avoid drilling or cutting into them. Also to help determine if you are on an interior wall (where a stud should be found within 16″ inches) or a exterior wall where a stud may not be present.
• Drywall Saw or Jab Saw: To cut the hole for the mounting bracket.
• Drill with Spade Bit or Hole Saw (optional): If you need to drill through studs for cable routing.
• Fish Tape or Wire Running Tool: To help pull the cable through walls.
• Wire Strippers: To strip the outer jacket of the Ethernet cable.
• Punch Down Tool (If required by your chosen keystone jack): Used to terminate wires into the keystone jack (usually a 110 style termination, a krone style is less common).
• Screwdriver: Phillips and flat-head, as needed.
• Level: To ensure the wall plate is installed straight.
• Safety Glasses: Eye protection is crucial for this type of work.
• Work Gloves: To protect your hands.
• Pencil or Marker: To mark locations for cutting.
• Measuring Tape: To accurately measure distances.
• Safety First: Make sure you are confident about working around electricity. Be sure you turn off the power to any electrical outlets in the immediate area to avoid accidental electrocution. If you are not confident, consult a qualified electrician.

Step-by-Step Guide to Installing an Ethernet Jack

Now that you’ve prepared everything, let’s get started with the installation process:

Step 1: Mark the Location for the Mounting Bracket

Use your stud finder to ensure there are no studs at the desired location. Most mounting brackets have a template printed on the cardboard or included in the package to assist. Use the template to trace the shape on the wall where your Ethernet jack will be located. Make sure the template is level, using your leveling tool. Ensure the location is free from any obstructions behind the drywall (pipes, wires, etc.).

Step 2: Cut the Hole for the Mounting Bracket

Using your drywall saw or jab saw, carefully cut along the traced lines. Take your time and be precise. It’s better to make the initial hole slightly smaller and enlarge it if needed. Remove the drywall cutout.

Step 3: Route the Ethernet Cable

This is often the most challenging part of the process. Start from the router location. You may have to navigate through crawl spaces, basements, or attics.

• Attic or Basement: If running the cable through the attic or basement, use a fish tape or wire running tool to guide the cable through joist spaces. Secure the cable with appropriate fasteners (clips, staples) to avoid sagging or damage. Be sure not to over-tighten any staples or clips.
• Through Studs: If you have to go through studs, use a drill with a spade bit or hole saw. Drill a hole large enough to accommodate the cable, being careful not to damage anything on the other side of the stud.
• Fishing the Cable: If you have an interior wall and need to fish the cable through a closed space, you can cut a small hole at the baseboard near the desired location, and then another at the location for the wall plate. Use a fish tape to guide a line from one hole to the other, then attach the ethernet cable to the fish tape and pull it through. Make a clean cut near the edges of the small hole near the baseboard to help in the repair later.

Once you have the cable running along your desired path, pull an additional 12″ – 18″ of cable to the location of the wall plate.

Step 4: Install the Low-Voltage Mounting Bracket

Insert the low-voltage mounting bracket into the hole you cut in the drywall. Most have tabs or screws that you tighten to secure the bracket to the wall. Ensure it’s sitting flush against the wall.

Step 5: Prepare the Ethernet Cable

At the location of the new jack, use your wire strippers to carefully remove about 1.5″ to 2″ of the outer jacket of the Ethernet cable. Be very careful not to nick or cut the colored wires inside. You will see 8 twisted pairs of colored wires. Untwist the pairs but leave them somewhat straight. These wires will be terminated into the keystone jack according to either T568A or T568B wiring scheme.

Step 6: Terminate the Ethernet Cable into the Keystone Jack

Keystone jacks come in a few styles. Some are designed for tool-less termination, whereas some require a punch down tool. Read the instructions specific to the keystone jack you purchased to ensure proper wire placement.

• Tool-less Termination: These jacks typically have color-coded slots where you press the corresponding wire into place with a flat head screwdriver. Follow either the T568A or T568B pattern that is typically labeled on the back of the jack. Be sure to maintain the proper pairing of the wires when terminating to ensure optimal signal strength.
• Punch Down Termination: Most keystone jacks use the 110 punch down style of termination. Again follow either the T568A or T568B wiring scheme that is labelled on the jack, and place the correct color wires into the proper slots. Use the punch down tool to press each wire firmly into the connector. The tool will cut off any excess wire.

It is very important to stick to the same wiring standard (T568A or T568B) for both ends of the cable to ensure proper connectivity. You do not need to stick to a certain standard, but it must be the same at both locations. T568B is the most common scheme.

Step 7: Install the Keystone Jack into the Wall Plate

Most wall plates have openings where the keystone jack simply snaps into place. Align the jack properly and gently push until it clicks into position.

Step 8: Secure the Wall Plate

Carefully align the wall plate over the mounting bracket. Secure it using the provided screws. Be sure to use a level and ensure the wall plate is straight. Do not over-tighten the screws.

Step 9: Connect the Other End of the Cable

Repeat steps 5 through 8 to terminate the other end of the Ethernet cable at your router or network switch location using a similar keystone jack and wallplate or directly plug into a router. Alternatively you can terminate the cable with an RJ45 connector and plug it in directly. Make sure you are using the same wiring configuration (T568A or T568B) for both ends.

Step 10: Test the Connection

Plug a device into the newly installed Ethernet jack and test the connection by connecting the other end to your router. Make sure it gets an internet connection. You can also use a cable tester to verify continuity and proper wiring.

Step 11: Clean Up and Repair

Clean up any debris and tools. If you cut a small hole near the baseboard to fish the wire, you can use some drywall compound to repair this location. Allow it to dry then sand smooth and repaint to match the baseboard.

Troubleshooting

If your connection isn’t working, here are some troubleshooting steps:

• Check the Wiring: Double-check that the wires are correctly placed in the keystone jacks, using the same T568A or T568B standard at both ends.
• Inspect Connections: Make sure the keystone jacks are properly connected to the wall plates.
• Test Cable: Use a cable tester to check for any shorts or breaks in the Ethernet cable.
• Router Connection: Verify that the router is working properly and that the cable is securely connected to the router.

Tips for Success

• Take Your Time: This project isn’t a race. Taking your time and being careful will ensure a cleaner, more professional result.
• Double-Check Everything: Before moving on to the next step, double-check that you’ve completed the current step correctly.
• Proper Tools: Using the right tools is essential for a successful installation. Don’t try to make do with inadequate tools.
• Online Resources: There are many tutorials available online if you get stuck. Search for specific terms, the type of keystone jack or wall plate that you are working with.

Conclusion

Installing an Ethernet jack in your wall is a rewarding DIY project that can significantly improve your home or office network. With careful planning, the right tools, and a little patience, you can achieve a clean, reliable, and fast wired connection. If you feel uncomfortable with any part of this process, don’t hesitate to call a professional electrician or low voltage contractor. Happy networking!