We’ve investigated this particular issue by analyzing various user reports and the resolutions that they used in order to get the issue fixed. As it turns out, there are actually several different underlying culprits that might ultimately cause the “Ethernet Doesn’t Have a Valid IP Configuration” error. Here’s a list of scenarios that are most likely causing this problem: Now that we went over every potential scenario that is known to cause the “Ethernet Doesn’t Have a Valid IP Configuration” error, let’s go over every confirmed method that other affected users have successfully used to identify and treat the cause of the issue.
1. Start with the obvious
Before you get to the more technical fixes featured in the article, our recommendation is to start with a series of troubleshooting steps that are most commonly effective in resolving the “Ethernet Doesn’t Have a Valid IP Configuration” error. To make matters easier for you, we’ve put together a step-by-step video that will help you troubleshoot the most common causes of this error: If the “Ethernet Doesn’t Have a Valid IP Configuration” error is occurring due to one of the causes mentioned above, the video tutorial below will help you fix it.
If you followed the video above and you’re still experiencing the same Ethernet Doesn’t Have a Valid IP Configuration” error when you run the Windows Diagnostics utility, move down to the next method below.
2. Migrate to Google or Cloudflare DNS
If the methods above were not effective in your case, you should investigate a deeper issue with your DNS cache. The next thing you should try is to switch to a more reliable public DNS, like Google or Cloudflare. Google and Cloudflare DNS both have high uptime rates and they are much more dependable than any DNS range that your Internet provider gives you by default. If the reason why you are experiencing the “Ethernet Doesn’t Have a Valid IP Configuration” error is caused by some type of inconsistency with the DNS range from your ISP, making the switch to a public DNS will resolve most of the issues where you see this error message. Note: Most of these issues are usually caused by the DNS system being down, overloaded, or unresponsive. To fix this issue, follow the instructions below to switch to Google’s DNS or Cloudflare’s DNS: If the “Ethernet Doesn’t Have a Valid IP Configuration” error is still occurring, move down to the next method below.
3. Reset Your Network Settings
Network issues can often be solved by resetting your internet settings. If you are experiencing the “Ethernet Doesn’t Have a Valid IP Configuration” error due to a network inconsistency, the next thing you should do is deploy a series of commands that will effectively reset every component and sub-component of your current network configuration. Note: This method will be effective in situations where the error occurs due to an outdated or conflicting network setting. By flushing the DNS server and resetting the socket, you can reinitialize the connection procedure. This may fix the issue. Follow the instructions below to effectively reset all your network settings: If the error is still not fixed yet, move to the next method below.
4. Verify all connected cables
If you have completed all of the steps mentioned above, you should check to confirm that all cables are properly plugged in not only to your PC but also at all router/switch locations. There have been reports from users who said the cables were not connected correctly. Note: You should hear a ‘click’ sound on your device when you plug an Ethernet cable in. If the device starts blinking, it means the cable is plugged incorrectly. This is not only limited to the cable set-up in your home but also the main cable connecting your home to the internet (usually installed by the ISP). Another diagnostic that you can do is to check if there is something wrong with your computer is see if other devices are unable to connect to the internet as well. Once you’ve made sure that all your cables are in order, move down to the next method below.
5. Disable IPV6
If you’re only having this problem with specific older games or applications, it’s probably because they aren’t designed to work with the new IPv6 protocol. If there’s no way to update them, the only solution is to disable IPv6 in order to force them to use IPv4. In case you are not reliant on IPv6, you should consider effectively disabling IPV6 temporarily and see if this ends up resolving the “Ethernet Doesn’t Have a Valid IP Configuration” error. Follow the instructions below for specific instructions on how to do this: In case the Windows Diagnostics returns the same error and you’re still unable to utilize your Internet connection in a reliable matter, move down to the next method below.
6. Disable Microsoft Kernel Debug Network Adapter
If you have previously installed a custom network adapter, it is possible that the two adapters will interfere with each other and cause this type of error. If the secondary network adapter is Microsoft Kernel Debug Network Adapter, you will need to disable it in order to prevent any conflicts. In some cases, the Microsoft Kernel Debug Network Adapter manifests itself on your computer and prevents the default drivers from working properly. If this scenario is applicable, follow the instructions below to effectively disable the Microsoft Kernel Debug Network Adapter: If you’re still experiencing the same “Ethernet Doesn’t Have a Valid IP Configuration” error despite disabling the Kernel Debug Network Adapter, move down to the next method below.
7. Configure a MAC Address for Your Network Card
If you’re using a dedicated network card, you might need to change the MAC address to avoid network errors like “Ethernet Doesn’t Have a Valid IP Configuration.” In order to establish a connection with the internet router, the MAC Address needs to be assigned to the network card. If the MAC Address isn’t entered properly or is missing completely, it could prevent the device from connecting via ethernet. Consequently, this step will involve manually assigning a MAC Address to the network card. If this method looks like it could be applicable, follow the instructions below to find out your physical address, then access it in order to re-configure the current network connection so that it’s used as the main MAC address by your router. Here’s what you need to do: In case you’re still dealing with the same “Ethernet Doesn’t Have a Valid IP Configuration” error, move down to the next method below.
8. Enable DHCP
If DHCP is not enabled, your computer will have difficulty assigning the correct network configuration settings. However, you can enable it by reconfiguring the status of the DHCP Client inside the Services screen. Enabling DHCP will automatically detect and assign the network configuration settings on your computer. If it is disabled, the network configurations might not be applied properly, which can trigger the error. In what follows, we will be enabling DHCP on your computer. To do this, follow the instructions below: If the error is still not fixed, move down to the next method below.
9. Disable Every Custom Power Management Customization
Special power-saving features on some computers disable certain functions to conserve energy. If the power-saving feature for the network adapter is enabled, it may prevent the network adapter from functioning properly. Therefore, in this step, we will disable the Power Saving feature on the Network Adapter. Keep in mind that depending on your configuration, both Windows 11 and Windows 10 have certain power-saving features that might conflict with certain network protocols. If you aren’t relying on these power-saving features, a possible solution would be to disable them entirely. Additionally, if you’re using a laptop, make sure that you’re always using the Maximum Performance power plan during resource-intensive tasks. Follow the instructions below to effectively disable every custom power management customization plan: In case the same “Ethernet Doesn’t Have a Valid IP Configuration.” error is still occurring, move down to the next method below.
10. Renew Your IP Configurations
If none of the methods above have proven to be effective in your case, you should take a close look at your current iP configuration. Several affected users that were dealing with the same kind of issue have confirmed that they managed to get the issue resolved by opening an elevated Command Prompt and running a series of commands that will flush the current IP config. For step by step instructions on how to do this, follow the guide below: If the method is still not fixed, move down to the next method below.
11. Disable 3rd party antivirus
Keep in mind that some 3rd party Antivirus suites can interfere with the process of retrieving network data. To make sure this isn’t the main cause of the error, try disabling your AV temporarily and see if the error code stops occurring. If there’s a Third-Party Antivirus on your system, it’s recommended to turn it off temporarily to check if the issue persists. If the issue goes away after disabling the Antivirus, it means that the Antivirus was blocking the computer from connecting to the internet. If this scenario is applicable and you’re using a 3rd party security suite that you suspect might be responsible for the issue, you should be able to resolve it either by disabling real-time protection or by uninstalling the suite altogether. To disable real-time protection, open the 3rd party AV software and look for the option in the settings menu. Once you disable real-time protection, start using your computer normally and see if the issue is still occurring. If that’s the case, try uninstalling the security program and removing any remnant files from your system to make sure the external security suite is not causing the BSODs. If you decide to go for a complete AV uninstall, follow this article to uninstall the 3rd party suite and ensure that you’re not leaving behind any remnant files. If this method was not applicable or it didn’t resolve your problem, move down to the next method below.
12. Deploy a CHKDSK Scan
This problem is often caused by corruption in system files and dependencies used when retrieving network data. To rule this out, try running a CHKDSK scan from an elevated CMD prompt. Fortunately, Windows’ built-in CHKDSK utility can scan for errors and corruptions, and repair any logical errors and corrupted data left behind by a forceful deletion attempt. To give CHKDSK the permissions it needs to repair bad files, open it in an elevated CMD window. Follow this article for instructions on how to start a CHKDSK scan & repair process. Note: The instructions should work regardless of which Windows version you’re encountering the issue on. If the same “Ethernet Doesn’t Have a Valid IP Configuration” error is still occurring despite deploying a CHKDSK scan, move down to the next method below.
13. Install the Network Driver in Compatibility Mode
One potential reason you may be experiencing this issue is that the driver you’re trying to install (or have already installed) is not fully compatible with your operating system or other hardware on your computer. Note: This scenario is actually quite common, which is why Windows has a Compatibility mode feature. Essentially, compatibility mode allows you to run certain programs in accordance with the architecture of older Windows Operating systems, which can sometimes get drivers working on your computer. Therefore, in the instructions below, we’ll show you how to install all the needed network drivers in compatibility mode: If the same “Ethernet Doesn’t Have a Valid IP Configuration” error is still occurring, move down to the next method below.
14. Switch to the Maximum Performance Power Plan
Sometimes the wireless adapter in your computer isn’t very good and you might see an error message pop up on your screen when you try to connect to an ethernet connection. In some cases, the power management window on your computer is set up to prevent high power usage hardware from working when the computer is idle. Note: This feature doesn’t always work perfectly because there have been a lot of times when the feature doesn’t work correctly and it stops you from being able to use the ethernet connection at all. So, in this step, we’re going to turn it off completely from the Control Panel. What you need to know is that both Windows 11 and Windows 10 have energy-saving features that might get in the way of some network protocols. If you don’t need those power-saving features, the best thing to do would be to turn them off. Also, if you’re using a laptop, make sure you’re always on the Maximum Performance power plan when you’re doing resource-intensive tasks. Here’s what you need to do: In case you’re still experiencing the same “Ethernet Doesn’t Have a Valid IP Configuration” error despite following the instructions above to edit your current plan settings, move down to the next method below.
15. Disable the Virtual Ethernet Devices
If you have used VirtualBox or VM Ware in the past, you might have virtual Ethernet Devices (VEDs) left on your computer that can interfere with your current network and cause this problem. To fix this, simply disable any conflicting VEDs. Note: A virtual Ethernet driver could be anything from a VPN to software designed to improve ping or packet loss. If this scenario looks like it could be applicable, follow the instructions below to disable any potentially interfering virtual Ethernet Device: In case the same kind of issue is still occurring, move down to the next method below.
16. Optimize your Network Power Usage
The network adapter permits the device to interface over the local area network (LAN), connecting to the internet or other computers. The adapter obviously requires power from the PSU to operate and connect to the network accurately. Nevertheless, in some instances, if you have set the power output to the maximum value, you might encounter disconnectivity issues or ethernet errors where you are unable to function properly with your network adapter. As some affected users have confirmed, you can address this potentials scenario by decreasing the allowed power usage of your network device: In case the same kind of issue is still occurring or this method was not applicable, move down to the next method below.
17. Allow Ethernet Adapter through BIOS
If your computer is using an old BIOS, there’s also a possibility that the network adapter is disabled in your BIOS settings. In this case, you need to go into your BIOS settings and enable connections through the Ethernet Adapter. Note: You can check to see if this method was successful by pinging the loopback address via InterNIC. By default, the Ethernet adapter should already be enabled on your computer. If the Windows operating system is reporting that your Ethernet is not working then you can try re-enabling the adapter from within your computer’s BIOS. Here’s what you need to do: If this method was not applicable or it didn’t do anything for you, move down to the next method below.
18. Uninstall the latest Windows Update
If this problem cropped up after you installed a pending Windows update, it’s worth investigating whether there might be a bad Windows Update affecting your internet connection. If that turns out to be the case, simply uninstalling the latest installed Windows Update should take care of the issue. It turns out that you might start receiving the “Ethernet Doesn’t Have a Valid IP Configuration” error in situations where your system recently installed a Windows 11 feature update that ends up conflicting with a network dependency. Several users who dealt with this issue themselves have reported that they managed to fix the problem by uninstalling the latest feature update and restarting their computer. Note: Since Microsoft has already released a hotfix for this issue, the next time WU will install this feature update, you shouldn’t experience this problem. Follow the instructions below to uninstall the Windows feature update that was recently installed: Important: As an extra step, we also included some instructions that will allow you to hide the update and prevent it from installing in the future. If the same kind of issue is still ongoing, move down to the next method below.
19. Enable QoS from Router Settings
QoS (Quality of Service) can be used to prioritize specific devices and ensure that they have access to the network bandwidth they need. If this feature is turned off, you may start seeing the “Ethernet Doesn’t Have a Valid IP Configuration” error message. Note: The QoS feature is used to set up priority for specific devices, services, or applications within the network through the router. A couple of users reported that the issue was resolved after enabling QoS on their router. You can do this by opening your router’s configuration page and enabling QoS. Keep in mind that QoS is an advanced feature, so it might require some configuration before you can properly use it. Additionally, this feature might not be available on your router. For more information, consult your router’s instruction manual. Here’s how to enable QoS if your router supports it: If this method was not applicable or you’re looking for a different approach, move down to the next method below.
20. Enable the AutoConfig Service
While the AutoConfig service is not strictly necessary for acquiring network data, it can be disabled by some 3rd party apps in order to free up available system resources. You can check if this is the case by forcing the service to re-enable from an elevated Command Prompt. Configuring your Ethernet connection requires this service to be enabled. Disabling it can cause problems with your network adapter. To enable the service and make sure everything is working properly, follow the steps below: If the same “Ethernet Doesn’t Have a Valid IP Configuration” error is still occurring, move down to the next method below.
21. Reinstall Network-related dependencies via Net Config
If you’ve come this far without a viable fix, the network configurations might be corrupted, which is causing the ethernet to stop working. To fix this, you can use a Command in Commands Prompt to Reset the Network Configurations and Reinstall the network drivers. Follow the instructions below for specific instructions on how to do this:
WiFi doesnt have a valid IP configuration? Try these fixesFix: Windows doesn’t have a network profile for this device errorFix: System Doesn’t Have Any USB Boot OptionWhy Doesn’t Steam Have Mass Effect 3?
