While you may come across multiple connection issues on Wi-Fi, Ethernet is a more reliable option for most needs. However, it does not mean that you do not come across Ethernet issues. In fact, you most definitely do, and the “Ethernet doesn’t have a valid IP configuration” error is the most annoying of them all. In this guide, I shall tell you how to fix the error and enjoy a seamless Ethernet.
Differences Between Ethernet and Wi-Fi Connections
Ethernet and Wi-Fi are two popular ways to connect your devices to a network, such as the Internet. Though both are now dominating the market, Ethernet and Wi-Fi have their share of advantages and disadvantages.
Aspect | Ethernet | Wi-Fi |
|---|---|---|
Connection Method | Wired | Wireless |
Medium | Ethernet cables | Radio signals |
Frequency Bands | N/A | 2.4GHz, 5GHz, 6GHz |
Typical Use | Devices connected to a modem through an ISP | Wireless internet access for mobile devices, laptops, smart home devices |
Reliability | High | Lower, due to obstacles causing signal reduction |
Theoretical Speed | Up to 40Gbps with correct Ethernet ports and cables | Up to 5.8Gbps with Wi-Fi 7 |
Real-World Speed | Dependent on various factors but suitable for creating local networks | Lower than theoretical speeds due to environmental factors |
Primary Benefit | Prioritizes reliability and speed | Supports wire-free connectivity |
Ethernet refers to the wired connection method to access a network/the Internet. You use Ethernet cables to connect your device to a modem, which is connected to the Internet through an ISP. This method stays the go-to option when you prioritize reliability and speed. With the correct set of Ethernet ports and cables, an Ethernet connection can give you theoretical speeds up to 40Gbps. However, the real-world internet speed will depend on many other factors. Nevertheless, you may get these speeds if you use Ethernet to create a local network.
Wi-Fi connections, on the other hand, rely on radio signals that are channeled through 2.4GHz, 5GHz, and 6GHz frequencies. Even though Wi-Fi can be used for networking needs, it is widely used for wireless internet access for mobile devices and laptops. These days, smart home devices also use Wi-Fi for seamless and wire-free connectivity. While the theoretical speeds of Wi-Fi 7 are 5.8Gbps, the real-world speeds are a little on the lower side. More importantly, Wi-Fi connections are less reliable as obstacles can reduce the speed and cause signal drop.
In summary, you should use an Ethernet connection if you prioritize reliability and speed. Even then, you might come across issues like the Ethernet doesn’t have a valid IP configuration error.
Potential Causes
Let’s take a look at the potential reasons you get the Ethernet doesn’t have a valid IP configuration error as you connect to a network.
DHCP issues
Inherent issues with Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol, better known as DHCP, are primarily responsible for the Ethernet doesn’t have a valid IP configuration error. If the protocol does not work, your devices may not be assigned an IP address within the network.
Incorrect IP address allocation
There could also be issues with the process of allocating IP addresses. If there are such issues, your device may not receive the proper IP address configuration. It could also be due to changes that you have made to network settings in general.
Outdated or faulty network drivers
Network drivers are the mediators between network hardware and virtual connections. Since DHCP works at the virtual level, faulty or outdated network driver software can hinder the allocation process. As a direct result, your device may end up with no configuration.
Network adapter settings issues
Many times, issues with a network adapter could also be responsible for the Ethernet not having a valid IP configuration error. This could be prominent if you use a dedicated Ethernet adapter instead of the one that your device came with.
Cable and port problems
Lastly, the problem could also be due to hardware issues with the Ethernet cable or the port. If the internal wires are not correctly configured, your device may have trouble locating the device and getting an IP address from the central system.
Now that you know the potential reasons for the issue, we will see how you can solve the problem and set up a proper internet connection.
Preliminary Checks
Before we tell you the steps to diagnose and solve the Ethernet doesn’t have a valid IP configuration issue, we recommend doing some preliminary checks.
Ensure the Ethernet cable is connected correctly
This is a no-brainer, but you should check if the Ethernet cable is connected correctly. You must also check if you are using a new cable instead of an old one.
Test the Ethernet cable and port
You should also check the Ethernet cable and ports for potential defects. If you face the Ethernet doesn’t have a valid IP configuration issue on an older device, a faulty cable/port could be the culprit.
Restart the router and computer
We take it that you have already tried this method, but you should restart the router and your computer to see if the problem goes away.
How to Fix “Ethernet Doesn’t Have a Valid IP Configuration” Error
Here are some practical ways to solve the Ethernet doesn’t have a valid IP configuration issue. We will start with something simple and gradually suggest advanced solutions. This way, you do not have to make system-level changes unless you absolutely need to.
Restart DHCP Client
Even though you may have already restarted the router, it is a good idea to restart the DHCP client again. It will force the system to set up DHCP and assign a new IP address to your device. Another option you have is to disable and re-enable the network adapter.
On Windows, you can go to Device Manager > Network adapters > and choose Disable from the right-click menu. You can right-click on the device again and select Enable. These steps will restart the DHCP client in a fresh manner.
Release and Renew IP Address
If manual IP address allocation does not work, you may want to release and renew the IP address manually. You can do it on Windows using the Command Prompt. Here are the steps.
- Search for Command Prompt, right-click on the option, and choose Open as Administrator
- Once you open the Command Prompt, enter the following command:
ipconfig /release
- Once this is done, enter the following command:
ipconfig /renew
Depending on the network style and settings, the release-renewal process may take up to a few minutes. It is good to remain patient until you have access to the Internet.
Flush DNS Cache
Issues with the DNS cache could also cause the Ethernet doesn’t have a valid IP configuration error. The first idea here is to clear the cache, which may prevent your device from resolving the IP address. You can use the same command prompt to complete the job on Windows.
Once you have opened the Command Prompt with Admin privileges, enter the following command:
ipconfig /flushdns
Windows will soon tell you that the DNS cache has been flushed. After that, you can reconnect and get rid of the IP assigning issue.
Update Network Drivers
If manual IP release/renewal and DNS flushing do not solve the problem, you should consider updating the network drivers. You can get this done on Windows by launching Device Manager.
On Device Manager, you can see a list of the devices. From the right-click menu, you can choose the option to Update Drivers. Windows will automatically find the latest driver software for the network adapter. This process may take up to a few minutes, depending on your internet connection.
After you have updated the drivers, you will have to restart your device and the router. It will make sure that the Ethernet doesn’t have a valid IP configuration error and that it does not appear after that.
Reset TCP/IP Stack
If you still have not solved the problem, you might want to reset the TCP/IP stack. Doing so will reset both protocols and get your internet connection working again. Once again, you need a Command Prompt to get this job done. Here’s how you can go about it.
- After you have opened the Command prompt, enter the following command:
netsh winsock reset
- At this point, the device will reset the settings. Now, enter the following command:
netsh int ip reset
- With this step, you have successfully reset the TCP/IP stack as well.
Once you have restarted your device, you will have stable access to the internet.
Set a Static IP Address
The Ethernet doesn’t have a valid IP configuration problem, which occurs mainly when the DHCP client does not work as intended. For the same reason, the best way to get out of the problem is to go for a static IP address. Here are the steps to do it:
- Open Device Manager and right-click on the Ethernet adapter.
- From the options, choose Properties
- Go to the Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) tab
- From the available options, choose Use the following IP address.
- In the column below, you can choose a suitable IP address within the range.
- This static IP address would remain the unique identity of your device within the network.
You can also make further changes to the DNS settings. However, setting up a static IP address will give you a break from IP configuration issues.
Alternative Solutions
Here are a few other alternative solutions you can try.
- Disable IPv6: By forcing IPv4, you can reduce potential conflicts within the network
- Use Network Troubleshooting Tools: the built-in diagnostics tools on Windows are great when it comes to finding network issues. It may automatically change some settings for better results.
- Ensure that the antivirus/firewall is not blocking the connection: A super-sensitive security tool is also causing the problem. So, you might consider turning it off.
- Perform a Clean Boot: A clean boot can also solve the problem since it would disconnect entirely from the network and reconnect.
- You can also try restoring the system and resetting the network settings. So, if your settings caused the problem, you can regain access to the internet.
Tips To Prevent Such Errors
If you want to prevent these errors in the future, you can follow these steps:
Regularly update network drivers and firmware
You can do this manually or set things up via Windows Update. The latter option makes sure that you don’t have to worry about manual updates. More importantly, Windows uses its intelligence to distinguish between real drivers and fake ones.
Periodically restart the router and computer
You can indirectly remove the DNS cache by frequently restarting your internet router and the computer. Both these tasks will re-check the DNS and TCP/IP settings and troubleshoot most issues.
Use high-quality Ethernet cables
The quality of your Ethernet cables makes a difference when it comes to reliability and speed. So, it is better to invest a bit more and use high-quality cables instead of coming across these annoying problems.
Avoid using multiple DHCP servers on the same network
This might not matter to you, but you can use a single DHCP client for the entire network. While a network may support multiple clients, doing so increases the risk of conflicts and configuration errors.
Frequently Asked Questions
To reset an Ethernet adapter, you can use a hardware button or trigger it from your computer. On Windows, you can reset the adapter using Device Manager. You will find an option to uninstall the device and re-install it.
You can use multiple methods to check the Ethernet IP address. On Windows and Mac, you can find the IP address when you open the Network Settings. Alternatively, you can choose a Command Line interface to fetch the IP address.
You can check the IP configuration by providing the ipconfig command on Command Prompt. You also have the option to check each IP address manually by looking at whether it follows the standard structure for IPv4 and IPv6 protocols.
Conclusion
We hope this guide helped you get rid of the IP configuration issue on your device. Although we have given the steps for Windows PCs, you can slightly alter the steps to use the same on Mac. In any case, a clean start of the system will solve the problem.
