Ditch the WiFi adapter. DIY Ethernet routing

Video available: https://youtu.be/K6bnRjcl6Fs
USB WiFi adapters are great for quickly getting internet on your non wireless PC, but over time they begin to fail and have several disadvantages.

I don't know why Imgur put this picture here, this is supposed to be the last picture.

There are other alternatives such as these powerline adapters, which use your home's electrical wiring to provide you with internet access from your outlets, but they are also without their own set of disadvantages.

There is no denying that a wire connection is always best, but sometimes not always possible and doesn't always look great.

You can use your baseboard to discretely route your Ethernet cable.

You will need to measure how much cable you need to buy. It's always best to get a few feet extra so that you can have plenty of cable on both ends to move your devices.

Measure each segment of baseboard the cable will run on top of.

And around the door frame as well.

I purchased this at Home Depot for about $15. They come in 25, 50, 75, and 100 feet. You could buy bulk, but then you would need to attach your own connectors. Cat6 will work for most basic home use, but double check with your Internet service provider or the store assistant to get what you really need.

You will need a stud finder or a small nail to check for wooden studs before you make a hole for the cable to pass through the wall.

You will also need something like this drywall saw to make the hole and something at least 5 inches long so that you can pierce through both sides of the wall at the same time.

To cover up the holes, you can use something like this acrylic caulk or silicone.

Staples like this are helpful for keeping the cable secured on the baseboard, but the caulk/silicone can also be used.

Make sure to protect the connectors with tape as you do not want to damage them as you feed the cable through the wall.

A piece of wire will also help feed the cable through.

As you begin to lay down the cable, make sure you give yourself plenty of cable, at least a foot or two, at the modem side so that you have enough cable should you need to move the modem in the future.

I placed the staples every 16 inches, but I later came back to add a small bead of caulk to permanently keep the cable in place.

Avoid making a hole in the wall near the corners as you are sure to find a wooden stud there. Try to pick a spot that is not very visible in the room, like behind the door. (sorry for my messy baseboard!)

Keep making your way to the spot you will pass the cable through.

Unravel the rest of your cable to make it easier to pass through the hole.

Pierce through the wall and make a hole big enough for the connector to easily go through.

Work the cable on both sides of the wall to avoid kinks and tangles.

This is how the cable looks with staples behind the door, but I do not really want the cable this separated or loose.

Instead of staples, I will use a small bead of caulk to create a better bond to the door's trim.

Just a small amount will be enough.

The tape will help keep the cable in place while the caulk sets in.

With the cable in place, its time to fill in those holes.

If your caulk or silicone is all falling inside the wall, you can add a little bit at a time around the edges and wait for it to dry a bit and then fill in the rest.

Going back to those parts with the staples so I can get a better look and remove them later.

Don't use too much so the cable can easily come off if necessary in the future.

Remove the tape the next day after the caulk has fully dried. Much better look than the staples in my opinion.

Most of the staples removed. You can barely even see the cable now!