The NIC is connected to your router or modem via the Ethernet cable. The problem arises if it fails to obtain a valid IP address. A valid IP address is necessary for a computer to communicate with the router and operate in the web. Once a certain router or NIC becomes faulty or in case of incorrect IP address designation, an error occurs. The following solutions provide a fix to various problems related to IP address configuration. Keep in mind to follow the following steps in exact order.

What does Ethernet doesn’t have a valid IP mean?

This problem means that your PC cannot receive the IP address from DHCP. There are multiple reasons for this issue, but it most cases this error occurs because your network adapter isn’t properly configured. Your drivers can also be a problem, so make sure that you keep them up to date. These aren’t the only causes for this error, and to learn more, be sure to keep on reading.

Here’s when this error occurs:

Local Area Connection doesn’t have a valid IP configuration Ethernet doesn’t have a valid IP configuration TP Link, Netgear This problem can affect almost any type of network hardware, and many users reported this problem while using TP Link and Netgear devices. Ethernet doesn’t have a valid IP configuration Powerline Powerline is the simplest way to set up a network, however many users that use Powerline adapters experienced this issue Ethernet doesn’t have a valid IP configuration router In most cases this kind of problem can appear if your router isn’t properly configured. To fix it, you might have to make a few adjustments to your router’s configuration. Ethernet doesn’t have a valid IP query This is just a variation of this error message, and in most cases you can fix it by applying the same solutions. Ethernet doesn’t have a valid IP configuration Unidentified Network Sometimes this error comes with Unidentified Network message. This is a variation of this error, and it can be fixed by using the standard solution. Ethernet doesn’t have a valid connection This type of error usually indicates that there’s a problem with your network connection. To fix it, you just have to adjust your configuration a bit. Ethernet doesn’t have a valid config This message might appear if there are any inconsistencies with your network configuration. Fortunately, you just need to make some minor tweaks to fix the issue. Ethernet doesn’t have a valid IP address This is another variation of this error that might appear on some PCs. If this error appears, usually there’s an IP address conflict that needs to be resolved. Ethernet doesn’t work In some serious cases, your Ethernet connection won’t work at all. Users reported that they are able to use Wi-Fi but not Ethernet connection on their PC. Ethernet doesn’t work on laptop Just like many other errors, this one can affect both desktop PCs and laptops. Many laptop users reported that Ethernet isn’t working at all while the Wi-Fi works without any issues. Ethernet doesn’t have IP configuration In rare occasions it can happen that your IP configuration is completely missing. This isn’t a major problem, but you’ll have to manually configure your IP address. Ethernet doesn’t connect to Internet Another type of problem that can occur is the inability to connect to Internet using the Ethernet connection. However, users reported that they are able to connect to the Internet by using the wireless connection instead.

What can I do if my Ethernet doesn’t have a valid IP configuration?

1. Reboot the system

Sometimes you might have issues using Control Panel, and if that’s the case, you should visit our Control Panel not opening guide. If you still can’t disable this feature after following these steps, we recommend reading can’t disable Fast Startup guide to get to the bottom of the problem.

2. Check the Network Adapter Settings

Obtain an IP Address Automatically Obtain DNS Server Address Automatically

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. If obtaining the IP address and DNS automatically doesn’t fix the problem, you might want to consider setting both your IP address and DNS manually. To do that, follow these steps: To see the necessary information such as Default gateway and Subnet mask, you can just check connection properties on any other device that can connect successfully to your network. Keep in mind that we changed our DNS to Google’s DNS in our solutions. According to users, it’s not mandatory to change both IP address and DNS, but if setting the IP address manually doesn’t help, be sure to change your DNS as well.

3. Install your drivers in compatibility mode

In order to avoid network problems, it’s important to keep your drivers up to date. For more information on how to do that, visit our how to update drivers in Windows 10 guide. After setting a compatibility mode, run the setup and install the drivers. Keep in mind that you might have to try several different compatibility modes until you find the one that works for you. To avoid issues such as these, it’s important to keep your drivers up to date, and there are multiple ways to do that. Downloading drivers manually can be a hassle, but luckily there are tools such as DriverFix to help you out. Using this tool you can update multiple drivers simultaneously, and fix corrupted drivers, with just a few clicks, so you might want to try it out. ⇒ Get DriverFix

4. Restart the router and check Ethernet cable

After performing the steps above, turn off your router or modem and switch it back on after five minutes. Now check if your PC has the valid IP configuration. If it still does not work, connect your router to your PC using a different Ethernet cable. Otherwise, you may need to use a different router. If connecting to other routers won’t solve the problem, then there is an issue with your network card. Perform a factory restore to your network card, and if it does not help, replace it.

5. Reinstall your Network Adapter

If reinstalling the Ethernet card does not solve the problem, you should reinstall the network interface card using the latest version of the driver from the manufacturer’s portal.

6. Use Command Prompt

After running these commands, you just have to restart your PC in order to apply the changes. Once your PC restarts, the problem should be resolved and you’ll be able to access the Internet without any issues. Sometimes you can’t access the command line, and if that happens, you should check our can’t run Command Prompt as admin guide. Many network issues are caused by malware, various scripts and bots. You can secure yourself by installing NordVPN , a leader in the VPN market. It protects your PC from attacks while browsing, masks your IP address and blocks all unwanted access.

7. Disable IPv6

Several users reported that they fixed the problem simply by disabling IPv6. According to them, their IPS didn’t support IPv6, so they disabled it. After doing that IPv6 should be disabled. Now you just have to restart your PC and check if the problem is resolved. Several users are recommending disabling IPv6 using the Registry Editor. To do that, you need to follow these steps: After doing that, IPv6 should be completely disabled on your PC. Now you just have to restart your PC in order to apply the changes. If you want to enable IPv6, just delete DisabledComponents DWORD from your registry. If you don’t feel comfortable modifying your registry, Microsoft developed a tool that can disable IPv6 for you. Simply download Disable IPv6 tool and follow the instructions on the screen. If you want to enable IPv6 again, you just have to download and use this tool. Keep in mind that IPv6 is a core component of Windows and disabling it can cause certain problems to appear. If you experience any additional network problems, you might have to enable IPv6 again. Some users reported error when accessing the Registry in Windows 10, but that can be easily fixed.

8. Disable Microsoft Kernel Debug Network Adapter

According to users, sometimes unknown network devices can appear in your Device Manager. These devices can interfere with your Internet connection and cause Ethernet doesn’t have a valid IP configuration error to appear. Once you disable Microsoft Kernel Debug Network Adapter, check if the error message still appears.

9. Assign a MAC address to your network card

Now that you know your network address, you need to assign it to your network adapter. To do that, follow these steps: After changing your MAC address, the problem should be completely resolved. Several users reported they fixed this error by combining previous two solutions with this one, so be sure to try them all.

10. Enable DHCP

Users are also recommending to run additional troubleshooters. To do that, you need to follow these steps: DHCP is a component of Windows that automatically assigns the IP address to your PC. If you’re getting Ethernet doesn’t have a valid IP configuration error message, it might be because DHCP isn’t enabled. After running all network troubleshooters, check if the problem is resolved. In case that the troubleshooters aren’t working, visit our Windows Troubleshooter stopped working guide. If the troubleshooters can’t fix the problem, you might have to restart DHCP service manually from Windows. To do that, follow these steps: Once you restart the service, check if the problem still appears. If the issue still persists, you might have to restart your PC and check if that solves the problem. SPONSORED It’s worth mentioning that your router also allows you to configure DHCP. If you’re familiar with network hardware, you might want to check your router’s configuration and see if the DHCP is enabled on your router.

11. Perform a chkdsk scan

After doing that, a chkdsk scan will be scheduled. Now you just have to restart your PC and the schedule will start automatically. Once the schedule is complete, the corrupted files will be fixed and your problem should be resolved. Ethernet doesn’t have a valid IP configuration error message can also appear due to file corruption, and if that happens, you need to use specialized software to repair corrupted files. Few users reported that chkdsk gets stuck on their PC, but there’s a way to fix that.

12. Disable your network connection and change your adapter properties

Some users are also recommending to reinstall your network adapter. To see how to do that, check Solution 4. Once you’re done, the problem should be resolved and you’ll be able to access the Internet again.

13. Turn off your PC and unplug it

If you’re having Ethernet doesn’t have a valid IP configuration error, you might be able to solve it simply by turning off your PC. Several users reported that this solution worked for them, so feel free to try it. Once you turn off your PC, disconnect it from the power outlet and wait for a couple of minutes. Now reconnect your PC and turn it back on. This is a simple workaround and it works according to users, so we encourage you to try it. Keep in mind that this might not be a long-term solution, so you’ll have to repeat it if the error occurs again.

14. Connect your PC directly to your router

If you have several network devices such as switches or repeaters in your network, you might want to try connecting your PC directly to your router. Sometimes other network devices might not be properly configured, and that can cause this and many other errors to appear. To check if other network devices are the problem, connect your PC directly to the router. If the error message doesn’t appear, it means that your network hardware isn’t properly configured so you might want to check it.

15. Update firmware on your network devices

Several users reported Ethernet doesn’t have a valid IP configuration error due to problems with their firmware. Sometimes outdated firmware can cause the issue to appear, and in order to fix the problem, you need to update it. We have a short guide on how to update your router firmware, so you might want to check it out for instructions. We have to warn you that firmware update is an advanced procedure and if you don’t do it properly you can permanently damage your router. If you decide to update your firmware, keep in mind that you’re doing that at your own risk. In addition to your router, other network hardware can also cause this problem. Users reported that the issue was resolved after updating firmware on their repeater, so if you have other network devices, you might want to consider updating their firmware as well.

16. Use IPconfig command

Once the commands are executed, check if the problem still appears. If so, restart your PC and the problem should be resolved. If you can’t flush the DNS or IPconfig is causing you trouble, visit our IPConfig couldn’t flush DNS cache guide to see how to fix it.

17. Reinstall TPC / IP

If you’re frequently getting Ethernet doesn’t have a valid IP configuration error, you might be able to fix it by reinstalling TCP/IP. To do that, you just need to follow these steps: After doing that, check if the problem with Ethernet connection still appears.

18. Disable your antivirus

Your antivirus software can frequently interfere with your network connection and cause this and many other problems to appear. In fact, many users reported that antivirus is blocking the Internet connection. To fix this issue, you might want to try disabling certain settings in your antivirus and check if that solves the problem. If that doesn’t help, try to disable your antivirus completely. In some more serious cases disabling the antivirus doesn’t work, so you’ll have to temporarily uninstall your antivirus software. To completely remove your antivirus and all files associated with it, we recommend to download a dedicated removal tool for your antivirus. After removing the antivirus software entirely, the issue should be resolved. Now you just have to install the latest version of your favourite antivirus or switch to a completely different antivirus solution. Are you using Norton Antivirus? Here’s how you can completely uninstall it. If you’re using McAfee, you can read our McAfee removal guide to get rid of it for good.

19. Make adjustments to your registry

After making the necessary changes, restart your PC and check if the problem is resolved.

20. Disable QoS on your router

If you’re frequently getting Ethernet doesn’t have a valid IP configuration error, it might be due to your router’s configuration. Several users reported that QoS feature on your router might cause this problem to appear. To fix the issue, you need to open your router settings and disable QoS. Keep in mind that not all routers support this feature, so before you change anything, we strongly advise you to check your router’s instruction manual.

21. Connect your Powerline adapter to a different outlet

Many users use Powerline adapters to create a network in their home. However, Powerline users also reported Ethernet doesn’t have a valid IP configuration error. If you’re using a Powerline adapter, be sure to connect it to a different power outlet and check if that solves the problem. Several users reported that connecting the adapter to a different outlet fixed this error, so be sure to try that.

22. Sync Powerline adapters one by one

If you’re having this problem while using three or more Powerline adapters, you might want to try syncing them one by one. Users reported this error while trying to sync all adapters at the same time. To fix the problem, you need to sync adapters one by one and the issue should be resolved.

23. Update your BIOS

Several users reported they fixed this issue simply by updating their BIOS. Your built-in network adapter might not be fully compatible with your router or network hardware, and that can cause this issue to occur. To fix the problem, you just need to update your BIOS. We have to warn you that BIOS update is an advanced procedure, and you can cause permanent damage to your PC if you’re not careful.

What can I do if Ethernet doesn’t have a valid IP configuration on Windows 11?

If you’re using Windows 11, you should know that you can use any of the solutions mentioned in this guide to fix the problem. This is a common issue, and the solutions are the same for all operating systems. Since Windows 11 and Windows 10 are similar in terms of functionality, fixing this problem on both systems requires the same steps. For in-depth solutions, visit our Ethernet doesn’t have a valid IP configuration in Windows 11 guide. Before you update your BIOS, we strongly advise to check your motherboard manual for detailed instructions. Ethernet doesn’t have a valid IP configuration error will prevent you from accessing the Internet, but we hope that you managed to solve this problem by using one of our solutions. There are many network issues that you can encounter, and many reported that Ethernet keeps disconnecting, but that can be easily fixed. Did you find a different solution to this problem? If so, let us know in the comments section below.

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