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Set Network Adapter Priority (Interface Metric)

Control which adapter Windows prefers when both Ethernet and Wi-Fi are connected.

WindowsnetworkadapterpowershellLow risk
Run Set-NetIPInterface -InterfaceAlias "Ethernet" -InterfaceMetric 10 and give Wi-Fi a higher number like 50.

01Command

Command
$ Set-NetIPInterface -InterfaceAlias "Ethernet" -InterfaceMetric 10
Set-NetIPInterface -InterfaceAlias "Wi-Fi" -InterfaceMetric 50

02What it does

When two adapters are connected, Windows picks traffic routes by the interface metric — the lowest number wins. Setting Ethernet to 10 and Wi-Fi to 50 makes wired traffic primary while Wi-Fi stays connected as backup. Automatic restores the default calculation, which usually favors the faster link.

03Risk

RiskLow risk
RequirementsRun PowerShell as administrator. Lower metric = higher priority.
!Warning: Manually pinned metrics stop adapting when the network changes — if connections behave oddly later, reset with -InterfaceMetric Automatic.

04Undo

Undo
$ Set-NetIPInterface -InterfaceAlias "Ethernet" -InterfaceMetric Automatic

05Sources

  • Set-NetIPInterface
    Microsoft Learn · vendor-doc · 2026-09-17
    Evidence: Documents the InterfaceAlias, InterfaceMetric and Automatic parameters for setting adapter routing priority.

Last verified: 2026-09-18 · Category: Network

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