Fixes / Windows · Checked September 30, 2026

Ethernet doesn't have a valid IP configuration: fix for Windows

Short answer

This Windows Network Diagnostics message means your PC asked the router for an IP address over the cable and got no answer, so Windows gave itself a placeholder 169.254.x.x address that can't reach the internet. The fastest fix is to restart the router and PC, then run ipconfig /release and ipconfig /renew in an administrator Command Prompt.

What this message means

When you plug in a cable, Windows asks the network's DHCP server (normally your router) for an IP address, gateway and DNS server. If no reply comes back, Windows gives itself an address in the 169.254.0.0 to 169.254.255.255 range (called APIPA). That address only works for talking to other devices on the same cable, not the internet. The network icon then shows "No internet", and the Network Diagnostics troubleshooter reports that Ethernet doesn't have a valid IP configuration. The fault can be in the router, the cable or port, a manually typed IP setting, the network adapter driver, or damaged Windows network settings.

Common causes

Cause	How to tell
The router or modem isn't handing out addresses (frozen, rebooting, or its DHCP server is turned off)	Other wired devices on the same router also have no internet, or running ipconfig shows an IPv4 address starting with 169.254 and a blank Default Gateway.
Faulty cable, loose connection or wrong router port	The link lights on the PC's network port or the router port are off or blinking unusually, or the cable is plugged into the router's WAN/Internet port instead of a LAN port. Swapping the cable or port changes the result.
A manual (static) IP address is set on the adapter	In Settings > Network & internet > Ethernet, IP assignment shows "Manual" instead of "Automatic (DHCP)", often left over from a previous network or a work setup.
Corrupted network stack or stale IP lease in Windows	The router works fine for every other device, and the problem began after a Windows update, VPN install or uninstall, or a crash.
Network adapter driver problem	In Device Manager, the Ethernet adapter under Network adapters has a yellow warning icon, or the problem started right after a driver or Windows update.
Fast Startup keeping the adapter in a bad state	The error appears after shutting down and powering back on, but a full Restart (Start > Power > Restart) temporarily fixes it.

How to fix it

1. Restart the router, check the cable and reboot the PC

Unplug the router (and the modem, if it's a separate box) from power for 30 seconds, then plug it back in and wait until its lights are steady (usually 1 to 2 minutes).
Check that the Ethernet cable clicks firmly into the PC and into one of the router's LAN ports (usually numbered 1 to 4), not the WAN or Internet port.
If you have a spare cable or a free LAN port, try it to rule out a bad cable or port.
Select Start > Power > Restart on the PC (Restart, not Shut down, so Fast Startup doesn't keep the old state).
If other wired devices on the same router also fail, the problem is the router or internet provider, not your PC.

2. Release and renew the IP address, and reset the network stack

Select Start, type cmd, right-click Command Prompt and choose Run as administrator.
Run these commands one at a time, pressing Enter after each: netsh winsock reset, then netsh int ip reset, then ipconfig /release, then ipconfig /renew, then ipconfig /flushdns.
Restart the PC.
Open Command Prompt again and run ipconfig. A working connection shows an IPv4 Address that does not start with 169.254 (commonly 192.168.x.x or 10.x.x.x) and a Default Gateway.

3. Set IP assignment back to Automatic (DHCP)

Windows 11 and Windows 10 (Settings app). On Windows 10, the Edit button is inside the network entry under Ethernet.

Select Start > Settings > Network & internet > Ethernet (on Windows 10, select the connected network under Ethernet).
Find IP assignment and select Edit.
In Edit IP settings, choose Automatic (DHCP).
Select Save, then do the same for DNS server assignment if it also shows Manual.
Unplug and reconnect the cable, or restart the PC.

4. Reinstall the Ethernet adapter driver

Right-click Start and select Device Manager.
Expand Network adapters and find your Ethernet adapter (names often include Realtek, Intel or Killer, plus "Ethernet", "GbE" or "PCIe").
Right-click it and select Uninstall device. Tick "Attempt to remove the driver for this device" only if you have the driver downloaded or another way online, then select Uninstall.
Select Start > Power > Restart. Windows reinstalls the adapter automatically.
If it still fails, download the latest Ethernet (LAN) driver from your PC or motherboard maker's support page on another device, copy it over by USB and install it.

5. Turn off Fast Startup

Open Control Panel (search for it from Start) and select Hardware and Sound > Power Options.
Select Choose what the power buttons do in the left pane.
Select Change settings that are currently unavailable.
Untick Turn on fast startup (recommended) and select Save changes.
Shut down the PC fully, then turn it back on.

6. Run Network reset (last resort)

Windows 11: Settings > Network & internet > Advanced network settings > Network reset. Windows 10: Settings > Network & Internet > Status > Network reset.

Open the Network reset page using the path for your Windows version above.
Select Reset now, then Yes to confirm.
Wait for the PC to restart (it restarts automatically after about 5 minutes).
Reinstall or reconnect any VPN software, virtual switches or saved Wi-Fi passwords, since the reset removes and reinstalls all network adapters and their settings.

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Still not fixed?

Plug another computer or a laptop into the same cable and router port. If it also fails to get an address, the router's DHCP server or your internet service is the problem: log in to the router's admin page to confirm DHCP is enabled, factory reset the router, or contact your internet provider. If other devices work but yours doesn't, try a USB-to-Ethernet adapter; if that works, the built-in network port or its hardware is faulty and needs a repair shop or the PC maker's support. On a work or school network, contact your IT department, since the network may block unknown devices (802.1X or MAC filtering).

Questions people ask

Why does my IP address start with 169.254?

Windows assigns itself a 169.254.x.x address (APIPA) when it can't reach a DHCP server. It means the PC never received an address from the router, which is exactly what this error reports.

Does this mean my Ethernet port is broken?

Usually not. Most cases are fixed by restarting the router, renewing the IP address or reinstalling the driver. Suspect the hardware only if a different cable, a different router port and a USB Ethernet adapter test point to the built-in port.

Why does Wi-Fi work but Ethernet doesn't?

If Wi-Fi on the same router works, the router's DHCP server is fine, so the fault is in the cable, the router LAN port, the Ethernet adapter driver or a manual IP setting on the Ethernet adapter. Start with the cable and the Automatic (DHCP) setting.

Will Network reset delete my files?

No. It only removes and reinstalls network adapters and resets networking settings. You'll need to re-enter Wi-Fi passwords and reinstall or reconfigure VPN clients afterward.

Should I set a static IP address to fix it?

Only as a temporary workaround if you know your router's address range and gateway. A static IP hides the real problem, and it breaks when you connect to a different network, so Automatic (DHCP) is the recommended setting.

Sources

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