A system and method are provided for ordering tap setting modifications in a link partner using a plurality of voltage gain taps, while avoiding minimum and maximum limitations. Provided is a link partner (LP) transmitter having a parallel selectable voltage gain taps. The method sends messages from a network-connected local device (LD) directing the LP to generally change the gain setting of either the pre-tap or the post-tap, as follows. The gain setting of selected tap is changed in the desired direction of modification and then the center tap gain settings is maximally increased until a limit signal is received. If a selected tap increment is desired, the center tap is initially decremented more steps than the desired change in the selected tap.