Fix: Ethernet Doesn’t Have A Valid IP Configuration In Windows 10

The ethernet doesn’t have a valid IP configuration is a common error that causes your internet to stop. In this error, your system doesn’t have a valid IP address. Without a valid IP address, your system cannot connect with the internet. And why is this? Because the IP address is your personal identity on the internet. And without a clear and unique identity, you cannot really be allowed to surf the internet.

When you receive the error “Ethernet” doesn’t have a valid IP configuration, it means that your connection has no longer a valid IP configuration. The Windows 10 OS is having trouble finding you a unique IP address from the Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol or the DHCP. DHCP is a network management protocol used on IP networks where it dynamically assigns the system a unique IP address. It configures the other required network settings for it to communicate with other IP networks.

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Ethernet Doesn’t Have A Valid IP Configuration: Fix It

Now that you fully understand the basics of your problem, let’s get to the solutions of this problem so you can resolve this issue immediately and get back to your work as soon as possible and stream your favorite movies and series.

Also read: Application Blocked Accessing Graphics Hardware | Fix Easily

Restart Your Computer

Whatever you’re doing on your device, save it and then restart your device.

Also while you’re at it, unplug your router and the wires connecting it to the device. Blow air into the slots of the router so that any dust particle in it comes out that might be hindering the connection. Leave it for 5-6 minutes and then make all the reconnections and check whether you’re reconnected to the internet. If the Ethernet 2 doesn’t have a valid IP configuration still persists then try the below solutions.

Update Network Connection Driver

Sometimes, there are some Windows network connection drivers which need updating to function correctly. Giving us the problem that Windows 10 doesn’t have a valid configuration. Although Windows 10 updates your drivers automatically, there might be some problem or some bug which either corrupted the drivers or didn’t auto-update it.

To update the drivers, search for “Device Manager” in your Search Bar and press enter.

You’ll be navigated to the Device Manager’s panel. Search for Network Adapters and click on it to unravel the drivers in it.

Search for your Ethernet connection driver and right click on it and select the Update Driver option. The wizard that’ll open up will search the web for drivers and auto-update it.

Wait for the wizard to complete and restart your computer and check whether you’ve got back on the internet.

Reset Your TCP/IP

The Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol or better known as the TCP/IP is a set of defined rules which helps computers communicate with networks such as the internet. Resetting TCP/IP is fairly easy and a good way to get rid of the ethernet doesn’t have a valid ip address problem.

To do this, search for “Command Prompt” in the search bar and then right click on it and select the “Run as Administrator” option. This will give the Command Prompt full-fledged power to do anything that it previously couldn’t.

Type the following commands one-by-one and once you’re done, press enter.

netsh winsock reset

netsh int ip reset

Close the command problem and restart your system and check whether the error Ethernet doesn’t have a valid IP configuration still persists. If it does, don’t worry! There’s a way of manually resetting TCP/IP and we’ll discuss that below.

Reset Your TCP/IP (Manual)

If resetting the TCP/IP by command prompt automatically didn’t work, you can always try the manual fix. In this, search for the network icon in the Windows shortcut tray that’s located near the Date and Time section in the Windows taskbar. Perform a Right click on it and select the “Open Internet and Network settings”.

Then locate the Ethernet section and click on it. It will redirect you to Ethernet network settings.

Then on the right, below the Related Settings section, you’ll find “Change adapter options” and click on it.

Right click on the Ethernet icon there and select “Properties”.

Navigate down the menu to Internet Protocol Version 4 and double click on it. You’ll see the following tab pop out.

If your IP is set to the obtain automatically, which means the Dynamic IP, then you can make it Static by selecting “Use the following IP address:” option. Enter the IP address that your ISP has provided and also the Subnet Mask, Default Gateway and the DNS servers. Press OK and restart your computer. Check whether you have resolved your problem of Ethernet doesn’t have a valid IP configuration.

Reset The Windows Socket

The Windows Socket or the WinSock is a specification that defines how Windows should use and interact with network services. Resetting Windows Socket is very easy. Open the Command Prompt as administrator.

Type the following commands in it one by one :

ipconfig /flushdns

ipconfig /renew

nbtstat –R

nbtstat –RR

netsh int ip reset c:\resetlog.txt

netsh winsock reset

After writing the final line of command, exit the command prompt. Then restart your Command Prompt and see whether the issue Ethernet doesn’t have a valid IP configuration is fixed or not.

You should check your Antivirus and the Windows Firewall if they are blocking your access to the internet and giving you the error of “Ethernet doesn’t have a valid IP configuration”. Try disabling your Antivirus or adding an exception to the Firewall for the Internet access. You should be back to surfing the Internet.

Conclusion

The error “Ethernet doesn’t have a valid IP configuration” is a common error which occurs when your system doesn’t have a valid IP address and can’t connect to the Internet. This can be due to many factors like outdated drivers, antivirus or the firewall blocking some important permissions and many more. If you have followed all the above fixes carefully, you would be back on the Internet in no time.

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Tony Polanco

Tony, computing writer at Automaticable, covers laptops, tablets, Windows, iOS. Off-duty, he indulges in comics, gaming, speculative fiction, and excessive Twitter use. Non-nerdy side includes rocking out at concerts and hitting NYC bars.