The error message Ethernet doesn’t have a valid IP Configuration may occur in your Windows. It is because your Windows Operating System cannot receive a valid IP address from the DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol). This guide will help you fix Ethernet doesn’t have a valid IP configuration in Windows 11 and Windows 10. The same can happen with wireless networks.
The Cause Behind the Invalid IP Configuration
Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol is a network protocol system that enables the servers to automatically assign an IP address to your computer for a specific network.
This error results in the computer cannot be assigned a valid IP address; hence, it cannot connect to the network and the Internet. Therefore, you won’t be able to access your emails, social media, and online streaming services.
Fix: Ethernet doesn’t have a valid IP Configuration Error in Windows 11/10
The Ethernet error is also caused by many reasons such as faulty, outdated, incorrect network adapter drivers, or an incorrect network configuration. Another reason why this error is caused is when your NIC (Network Interface Card) hooked up to your Router is unable to get a valid IP address.
However, these problems can be fixed quickly by some of the following methods:
- Restart your System and Router
- Check IP Configuration Settings for Network Adapter
- Run the network adapter troubleshooter
- Reset the Winsock and Network Adapter
- Reinstall or update your network connection driver
Follow each of the methods one by one if any of these don’t work out for you.
1] Restart your System and Router
The easiest way to fix the Ethernet IP configuration error is to restart your system. At times, the process gets stuck, and the router takes its time to assign. Restarting will help to send a new request altogether.
Restart your router:
Unplug the router and leave it for approx 2-5 minutes. Then, plug it back in and see the LED lights indication for the startup.
Save all your work and restart your PC:
Click on Start > Power icon > Restart button. This will automatically restart your computer.
2] Check IP Configuration Settings for Network Adapter
If the computer has a fixed IP address, then we suggest switching to a dynamic address. The IP address may be already in use. Following are the steps for the process:
- Press Windows Key+R to open the Run prompt.
- Type ncpa.cpl and click OK. This will open the Network Connections Window.
- Right-click on Ethernet adapter settings > Choose Properties
- In the Ethernet Properties dialog box, double-click on Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)
- The next window will open up the Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) Properties.
- From here, enable the following two options:
- Obtain an IP address automatically
- Obtain DNS server address automatically
Now check if your Internet connection is re-established or not.
3] Run the Network Adapter Troubleshooter
Network Adapter Troubleshooter is one of the integrated troubleshooting tools. You can use it to fix the IP issue automatically.
- Press Windows Key + S > Type network adapter.
- Select Find and fix problems with your network adapter.
- Now, select Advanced > Enable Apply repairs automatically followed by Run as Administrator. You may have to enter your Windows password at this point.
- Click on Next > Select your Ethernet network adapter from the list.
Go through the questions related to the invalid IP Configuration and complete the troubleshooting tools.
4] Reset the Winsock and Network Adapter
You can also try out to fix the invalid IP Configuration issue to reset your Internet settings. In some cases, the network settings become outdated or conflict with the existing network. Still, we can again reinitialize the network connection by flushing the DNS server and resetting the socket.
The Winsock (Windows Socket) is a core Windows component that handles incoming and outgoing data requests for programs using the internet. In short, Winsock facilitates your internet connection and the software that wants to use it.
Follow these steps to reset the Winsock protocol and IP Settings:
Press Windows+X and select Command Prompt or Windows PowerShell. Type and Execute these commands.
netsh winsock reset netsh int IP reset
Reboot your Windows to apply these changes.
5] Reinstall or Update Your Network Connection Driver
Drivers cause problems, and Ethernet drivers are not less. If a recent update has caused a problem, you may want to reinstall or update the driver to the latest version.
Here’s how you can update the ethernet drivers:
- Press Windows Key+X > Device Manager
- Select Network Adapter from the list of devices
- Right-click and select Update Drivers
- Select Search automatically for drivers. Windows will search for the best driver and install it automatically in your system.
To uninstall the driver, follow these steps:
- Press Windows Key+X > Device Manager
- Select Network Adapter from the list of devices
- Right-click and select Uninstall Drivers
- Check the box Delete the driver software for this device
- Restart your computer.
If your computer does not install the uninstalled drivers automatically, then go back to Device Manager > right-click on your computer’s name, and select Scan for hardware changes. This will find the missing drivers and install them.
I hope this post helped fix Ethernet doesn’t have a valid IP configuration error in Windows 11/10.
How Do I Configure My IP Address for Ethernet?
Here’s how to configure a Static IP address for Ethernet –
- Press Windows Key+ I and open the Settings page.
- Select Network & Internet and click on the Ethernet button.
- Choose the device you are using to connect to the network.
- Scroll down and click on the Edit button next to the IP assignment.
- Now, from the popup window, select manual from the dropdown.
- From here, select if you want to configure IPV4 or IPV6 settings and toggle it on.
- A form will appear with all the configuration options that you can fill in.
- In the end, hit Save and restart File Explorer.
How Do I Reset My Internet Settings?
If you have problems connecting, you can reset the network settings to fix the problem. This method removes and reinstalls your network adapters and sets other components to their original settings. Here’s how to do this:
- Press Windows Key + I that will open the Settings page.
- Select Network & Internet and click on Advanced network settings on the right side window.
- From the more settings section, click on Network Reset.
This will result in erasing every adapter’s configuration and restoring everything to factory settings.
