An approach is provided in which an information handling system detects a reduced capacity on a PCIe link that interfaces a host system to a PCIe I/O expansion drawer over a first/second physical cable. The information handling system verifies a first/second connection to a first/second connector on the PCIe I/O expansion drawer, receives a first/second set of vital product data over the first/second physical cable, and determines that the first physical cable and the second physical cable are connected to the same PCIe I/O expansion drawer based on analyzing the first/second set of vital product data. The information handling system then suspends operation of one or more components corresponding to the PCIe link and trains the PCIe link to an increased capacity. In turn, the information handling system resumes operation of the one or more components and restores the PCIe link to the increased capacity.