How To Fix ‘Ethernet Doesn’t Have a Valid IP Configuration’ Error?

If you are seeing an error message which says, ‘Ethernet doesn’t have a valid IP configuration’ this means there is a problem with your internet connection.

Ethernet Doesn’t Have a Valid IP Configuration - Fix

Your PC does not have a valid IP address, which means it cannot connect to the internet. This can be an annoying problem but hopefully it only needs a quick fix.

A computer has to have a valid IP address, else it won’t be able to communicate with the router and then the internet.

You won’t be able to go on any website, access your emails or do anything online.

6 Ways to Fix ‘Ethernet Doesn’t Have a Valid IP Configuration’ Error

The usual cause for this error is a Network Interface Card error. It might have a problem or be outdated.

There are several ways to fix “Ethernet Doesn’t Have A Valid IP Configuration” error:

  1. Restart the PC
  2. Reset the network adapter
  3. Restart the router
  4. Run a network troubleshooter
  5. Reset the Winsock
  6. Update or reinstall your network connection driver

Let’s take a look at each of those in turn, and see whether one of them can fix the ‘Ethernet doesn’t have a valid IP configuration’ error.

Fix #1: Restart The System

The fastest way to solve this issue is to restart the PC.

A restart will reset all incoming and outgoing connections, so it is worth doing this first.

Fix #2: Reset The Network Adapter

This is an alternative way to refresh the IP address configuration, and also a good way to fix other Windows 10 issues such as an unidentified network.

Ethernet Doesn’t Have a Valid IP Configuration - Reset Network
  1. Press the Windows key + I to open “Settings“.
  2. Type “network status” into the search bar then choose the first option.
  3. Click “Change Adapter Options” under “Advanced Network Settings“.
  4. Right-click the “Ethernet connection” and click “Disable“.
  5. After a few seconds, click it again and choose “Enable“.

Hopefully you now have a new IP address.

Fix #3: Restart The Router

Restarting the router can fix various internet connection errors, just like restarting the PC can.

Restarting the router allows it to configure a new IP address for the PC.

If your router has a power switch (usually found on the back) switch it off, wait for several seconds, then turn it on again.

If there is no power button, switch it off at the socket or remove the plug.

Wait a few seconds then turn it back on or plug it back in, as applicable.

This allows the router IP configuration time to reset and hopefully solves the error.

Also read: How to Fix a ‘Reboot and Select Proper Boot Device’ Error

Fix #4: Run A Network Adapter Troubleshooter

There are troubleshooting tools integrated into Windows 10, including one for network adapter issues.

Ethernet Doesn’t Have a Valid IP Configuration - Network Adapter Troubleshooter
  1. Press the “Windows key + S“, type in “network adapter“, then choose “Find and Fix Problems“.
  2. Click on “Advanced” then “Apply Repairs Automatically“.
  3. Than click “Run as Administrator” (you might be asked for your password).
  4. Click “Next“, choose your Ethernet network adapter and go through the questions on the screen.

The questions might vary according to what issues the troubleshooter finds along the way.

Fix #5: Reset The Winsock

The Winsock, or Windows Socket, is a key component of Windows. Its function is to handle incoming and outgoing data requests for programs accessing the internet.

It helps to manage your online connection software which uses it.

There are some commands you can use with the Winsock reset to help reconfigure the Ethernet IP address.

  1. Type command prompt into the search bar on the Start menu and Run it as Administratior.
  2. Type in the following, one by one (press enter after each one):
ipconfig /flushdns
ipconfig /renew
nbtstat –R
nbtstat –RR
netsh int ip reset c:\resetlog.txt
netsh winsock reset

Once you have done this, restart the PC.

Fix #6: Update Or Reinstall Your Network Connection Driver

Although Windows 10 tries to keep drivers up to date automatically, it is not foolproof.

Manually update your Wi-Fi and Ethernet adaptors to ensure they are not responsible for the ‘Ethernet doesn’t have a valid IP configuration’ error.

  1. Press the “Windows key + X“, then choose “Device Manager“.
  2. Click “Network Adapters” then find your Ethernet connection driver.
  3. It should be the one with ‘Ethernet’ in its name.
  4. Right-click it and click “Update Driver“, click on “Search Automatically for Drivers“.

The PC will search on your system for the best driver, and install a more up to date version if it is found.

Conclusion

This is everything you need to know about “Ethernet doesn’t have a valid IP configuration” error on Windows.

With a bit of luck, one of these six fixes is going to be able to solve the error.

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