Fix Ethernet Doesn’t Have a Valid IP Configuration on Windows 10
Every device that is connected to the internet, whether it’s a desktop system, a laptop, a phone, a network printer, or a really smart fridge, has its own IP address. The IP address is used to identify a device and no two devices can have the same IP address.
It may seem like a small thing but when there is an IP address conflict or better said Ethernet doesn’t have a valid IP configuration, the system is unable to connect to the internet.
Ethernet doesn’t have a valid IP configuration
Problems with IP configuration can happen regardless if you’re using an Ethernet or wireless connection. If your Ethernet doesn’t have a valid IP configuration, there are a few simple things you can do to fix it.
1. Power cycle
An IP is assigned by the router. It’s not a function that your system normally controls so the first thing you should do is power cycle both your system and the router.
- Shut down your system.
- Go to your router and locate the power button.
- Press and hold the power button for ten seconds, and release it.
- Wait fifteen seconds (or up to a minute).
- Turn the router back on.
- Boot your system and allow it to obtain an IP address.
2. Run network troubleshooter
Windows 10 has a built-in troubleshooter for network problems and internet connectivity. Run them both.
- Open the Settings app.
- Go to Update & Security>Troubleshoot.
- Click Additional Troubleshooters.
- Run the Internet Connections troubleshooter, and apply all fixes that it recommends.
- Run the Network Adapter troubleshooter, and apply all fixes that it recommends.
- Restart the system.
3. Disable Fast startup
Windows 10 has a feature called ‘Fast start’ which allows users to boot to their desktop much more quickly. What it actually does is, it prevents a system from shutting down. Instead, when you perform a shut down, the system goes into a low power state which can lead to all sorts of problems.
- Open File Explorer.
- In the location bar, enter the following
Control Panel\All Control Panel Items\Power Options
- Click ‘Choose what the power buttons do’ from the column on the left.
- Click ‘Change settings that are currently unavailable’.
- Scroll down, and uncheck ‘Turn on Fast startup’.
- Restart the system.
4. Check DNS settings
Although an IP address is relevant before DNS comes into the picture, they may still retroactively create problems with the IP configuration.
- Open File Explorer.
- Enter the following in the location bar, and tap Enter.
Control Panel\Network and Internet\Network and Sharing Center
- Click your Ethernet connection.
- Click the ‘Properties’ button.
- Double-click Internet Protocol Version 4 (IPv4).
- Make sure ‘Obtain an IP address automatically’ and ‘Obtain DNS server address automatically’ are selected.
5. Change DNS server
If your DNS server was already set to automatic, and you’re unable to resolve the IP configuration error, try using the Google DNS server instead.
- Open File Explorer.
- Enter the following in the location bar, and tap Enter.
Control Panel\Network and Internet\Network and Sharing Center
- Click the Ethernet connection.
- Click the ‘Properties’ button.
- Double-click ‘Internet Protocol Version 4 (IPv4).
- Select ‘Use the following DNS server address’.
- In the first field, enter 8.8.8.8
- In the second field, enter 8.8.4.4
- Apply the change, and restart the system.
6. Reset TCP/IP
Resetting the TCP/IP can fix obscure problems with the network settings and in turn resolve the IP configuration error.
- Open Command Prompt with admin rights.
- Run the following command.
netsh winsock reset
- Once the command has completed, run this second command.
netsh int ip reset
- Restart the system.
7. Uninstall and reinstall Ethernet adapter
Much like a system or router restart, uninstalling and reinstalling the driver for your Ethernet card can fix the IP configuration error.
- Open Device Manager.
- Expand Network Adapters.
- Right-click the adapter used to connect to an Ethernet network, and select ‘Uninstall Device’.
- Once uninstalled, click the scan for hardware changes button.
- Windows 10 will detect the Ethernet adapter and install drivers for it again.
8. Disabling Microsoft Kernel Debug Network Adapter
The Microsoft Kernel Debug Network Adapter can interfere with other network adapters and their drivers. Disabling it can fix the IP configuration error.
- Open Device Manager.
- Go to View>Show Hidden Devices.
- Expand Network Adapters.
- Look for Microsoft Kernel Debug Network Adapter.
- Right-click it, and select Disable Device.
- Confirm that you want to disable the device.
- Restart the system.
9. Reset Network settings
Resetting network settings requires running quite a few different commands but it will fix the IP configuration error if all other solutions fail.
- Open Command Prompt with admin rights.
- Run the following command one-by-one;
ipconfig /flushdns ipconfig /renew nbtstat –R nbtstat –RR netsh int ip reset c:\networklog.txt netsh winsock reset
- Open File Explorer.
- Enter the following in the location bar, and tap Enter.
Control Panel\Network and Internet\Network and Sharing Center
- Click ‘Change adapter settings’ in the column on the left.
- Right-click your Ethernet adapter, and select Disable.
- Restart the system.
- Return to the adapter settings screen, right-click the Ethernet adapter, and enable it.
Conclusion
An Ethernet connection is usually more reliable than a wireless WiFi connection but it’s not always as easy to set up. With a WiFi network, you don’t have a lot of network-related settings to worry about but with Ethernet, an obscure setting can prevent a connection from being established.
Did it work for you?
The above solutions work most of the time if local area connection doesn’t have a valid IP configuration — however, if you’re still unable to get rid of the error, access the admin panel of your router and check if there are any restrictions on Ethernet connections.
