Ethernet doesn’t have a valid IP configuration Error – Windows

If you’re seeing “Ethernet” doesn’t have a valid IP configuration error after you run Windows troubleshooter, you’re not alone. This error is caused when your NIC (Network Interface Card) hooked up to your Router or Modem via the Ethernet Cable is unable to get a VALID IP Address (Internet Protocol).

When you receive an error message alerting you that your ethernet connection no longer has a valid IP configuration, it means that Windows is failing to receive the necessary IP address from the DHCP server, or Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol, a network protocol system that enables that server to automatically assign your computer an IP address for a specific network. Since your computer can’t be assigned an IP address, it fails to allow you to connect to your ISP’s network, leaving you effectively without an active internet connection.

Error message:

Troubleshooting was unable to automatically fix all of the issues found. You can find more details below.
"Ethernet" doesn’t have a valid IP configuration

In most cases, Windows Troubleshooting may just find issues but not provide fixes. Issue “Ethernet doesn’t have a valid IP configuration” is the case. You need to solve it manually.

Fix Ethernet doesn’t have a valid IP configuration Error

Fix Error #1: Reboot and Restart Your System

The first step, as with any electronic device, is to reboot your PC. When your computer reboots, make sure your ethernet cable is firmly plugged into the back of your computer (for desktops) or the side of your computer (laptops). Retest your internet connection and try to establish a connection using your ethernet cable. Keep moving through the steps if you receive the same error message.

Restart Your system without Fast Startup:

Disabling Fast Startup is undoubtedly the most effective solution capable of fixing this issue, although it results in the loss of the Fast Startup feature altogether. To disable Fast Startup, you need to:

  1. Press Windows Key + S and enter control panel. Now select Control Panel from the list of results.
  2. Select the Power Options from Control Panel.
  3. In the left pane, click on “Choose what the power button does”.
  4. Select Change settings that are currently unavailable.
  5. Uncheck the box beside Turn on fast startup (recommended) near the bottom of the window to turn off Fast Startup.
  6. Click on Save changes and close the System Settings
  7. Restart your computer.

Fix Error #2: Disable and Enable your Network Interface Card (NIC)

  1. Press Windows Key + R then type ncpa.cpl and hit Enter.
  2. Right-click on your wireless adapter and select Disable.
  3. Again right-click on the same adapter and this time choose Enable.
  4. Restart your and again try to connect to your wireless network and see if you’re able to Fix WiFi doesn’t have a valid IP configuration error.

Fix Error #3: Reset network settings and Flush DNS.

Due to misconfiguration of DNS or Network Settings, this error is caused. Flushing DNS and Resetting Network Settings may resolve this error. There are different Command available to Flush DNS, renew, release, etc. using which Ethernet” doesn’t have a valid IP configuration Error Message can be fixed in many cases. You need to open Command Prompt to perform these actions.

  1. Click on Windows button and Search for cmd and you will get Command Prompt as a search result. (Right click on it & select Run as administrator option)
  2. A Command Prompt window will popup. In Command Prompt, enter the following lines. You can Copy the Command given below & paste it in Command Prompt & Press Enter to run them. (You need to press Enter after each line of command and wait for the process to complete before you go to the next line.) Note: Run all the Commands One by One.
  3. ipconfig /release
    ipconfig /all
    ipconfig /flushdns
    ipconfig /renew
    netsh int ip set dns
    netsh winsock reset
  4. Once you successfully run all these listed commands, just restart your system or computer or windows and that’s it.

Fix Error #4: Update/Re-install Network Adapter

Another common solution that will fix many issues with networking connectivity is to update your network adapter.

  1. Press Windows key + R key and type “devmgmt.msc” in Run dialogue box to open device manager.
  2. Expand Network adapters, then right-click on your Wi-Fi controller (for example Broadcom or Intel) and select Update Drivers.
  3. In the Update Driver Software Windows, select “Browse my computer for driver software.
  4. Now select “Let me pick from a list of device drivers on my computer.
  5. Try to update drivers from the listed versions.
  6. Once the update is complete, reset the adapter by disabling it and then enabling it from the Device Manager screen.

Fix Error #5: Check the Network Adapter Settings

The router works to designate the IP address automatically. This is the default setting, though you can still choose to assign a specific IP address. In that case, you ought to set the IP address to automatic first and check the Internet Properties for the correct settings once it is connected. Follow the instructions below:

    1. Press Windows Key + R then type ncpa.cpl and hit Enter.
    2. Right click your Network Adapter in the Network Connections window and select Properties.
    3. From the Ethernet Properties window, select Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) and click on Properties.
    4. You will then see the Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) Properties window. Enable the following options:
      Obtain an IP address automatically 
      Obtain DNS server address automatically.
    5. Click Ok and exit Network Adapter properties.
    6. Reboot to apply changes.
    7. If the problem remains, select Use the following IP address and Use the following DNS server addresses and fill in the address like below.
      IP address: 192.168.1.15
      Subnet mask: 255.255.255.0
      Default gateway: 192.168.1.1
      Preferred DNS Server: 8.8.8.8  
      Alternate DNS Server: 8.8.4.4
    8. Click OK to save the changes and try again.

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