Help wiring a tool-less RJ45 Cat5e wall outlet — what am I doing wrong?

[u/Ecasse]

Hi everyone,

I’m trying to install a new Ethernet RJ45 outlet in my attic. I pulled a Cat5e cable from the ground floor to the attic.

On the attic side, I’m using a tool-less RJ45 Cat5e wall outlet/connector. On the ground-floor side, I mounted a regular RJ45 socket and plugged that into a switch with a patch cable.

It didn’t work, and after checking the instructions again I’m pretty sure I wired the connector wrong, so I’m going to redo it.

Before I start over, I’d like to make sure I understand correctly:

• Should I wire both ends using the same standard, e.g. T568B on both sides?
• On this kind of tool-less connector, should I follow the color-coded slots printed on the connector rather than trying to put the wires in RJ45 pin order manually?
• Is there anything specific I should watch out for with solid-core Cat5e cable?
• Could this fail even if the colors look “mostly right”, for example because I split a twisted pair?

My current plan is:

Switch → patch cable → ground-floor RJ45 socket → in-wall Cat5e cable → attic RJ45 outlet → patch cable → device

I’ll also get/use an RJ45 cable tester if needed.

Any advice before I cut the end and start again?

[u/Head-Ad-3063]

• Should I wire both ends using the same standard, e.g. T568B on both sides

Yes.

• On this kind of tool-less connector, should I follow the color-coded slots printed on the connector rather than trying to put the wires in RJ45 pin order manually?

Follow the colour coding on the connector.

• Is there anything specific I should watch out for with solid-core Cat5e cable?

You shouldn't use it with RJ45 connectors, just sockets

• Could this fail even if the colors look “mostly right”, for example because I split a twisted pair?

The "colours" need to be exactly right, mostly right will probably work but at reduced speed (100Mb). Technically you want to keep the pairs twisted until as close to the pins in the connector as possible but in the real world it will normally work fine as long as long as it's not too bad and every wire is connected correctly.

I generally advise against making patch cable unless you really have to, just buy them premade, they are not that expensive.

[u/FreddyFerdiland → u/Head-Ad-3063]

you mean, use sockets at both ends.

putting plugs on is unreliable for solid core .

the cheap plugs are for stranded..

[u/Head-Ad-3063 → u/FreddyFerdiland]

Isn't that what I said? apologies if I didn't make it clear.

[u/freethought-60 → u/FreddyFerdiland]

This is not always true; it requires both experience and the right materials and tools for the job.

[u/Ecasse → u/Head-Ad-3063]

Yep, you were right. I had to buy another outlet. Worked like a charm on the firt try.

Thanks 🙇

[u/freethought-60]

Without wanting to teach anything to anyone, beyond what has already been said by r/Head-Ad-3063, IHMO correctly, If you want to do it yourself, get a cable tester. Even the cheapest ones, which only validate continuity, can still help identify the most common errors; otherwise, you'll just end up guessing most of the time.