Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing power consumption of an auto-negotiating ethernet transceiver by enabling a driver for the transceiver to alternate between a typical higher-power energy consumption mode to a lower-power energy consumption mode when a network link is no longer detected by the transceiver. A new algorithm is included within the driver which is activated by the driver detecting the absence of the network link. The driver causes the portable computer to send instructions to the ethernet transceiver so that the transceiver continues to check for the network link. If the network link is not detected, the driver causes the ethernet transceiver to power down into a lower power consumption mode for a specific period of time. After the period of time has elapsed, the driver causes the ethernet transceiver to enter a normal higher power consumption mode during which the ethernet transceiver again checks for the network link.