Why is the AP uplink limited to 100 Mbps?

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Zyxel_Jami
Zyxel_Jami Posts: 227 image  Zyxel Employee
Zyxel Certified Network Administrator - WLAN Zyxel Certified Sales Associate First Comment Friend Collector

If an AP shows an uplink speed of only 10/100 Mbps, it indicates that the Ethernet link did not negotiate at 1 Gbps. This is usually caused by a physical layer issue.

Common causes and how to check them:

  • Ethernet Cable Issue
    Ensure the cable is Cat5e or higher, properly crimped, and not damaged. Replace the cable to verify.
  • Switch/Router Port
    Confirm the upstream port supports 1 Gbps and is not manually limited. Try another port on the switch.
  • Connector / Patch Panel
    A faulty jack, loose connection, or old patch panel can also force a 100 Mbps link.
  • LED Indicator
    An orange or amber uplink icon indicates the AP negotiated 100 Mbps instead of 1 Gbps.

If the link still negotiates at 100 Mbps after testing the cable and port, the issue may be hardware-related. In that case, consider further hardware diagnostics or an RMA evaluation.