Fix a Broken Ethernet Connection on Windows

If Ethernet stops working on a Windows PC, first check the cable, router or modem, and Ethernet port, then use Windows’ network status and built-in troubleshooting tools to narrow down the cause. Work through the steps below in order; they start with quick physical checks and move to settings and driver repairs that can interrupt your connection.

1. Check the cable, port, and network equipment

A wired connection depends on an intact cable and working ports at both ends. A loose plug can look connected while making intermittent contact, so unplug the Ethernet cable at the computer and router, then push each end firmly back in. Check for bent clips, damaged cable sections, or a port that feels loose.

• Look for link lights beside the Ethernet port on the PC and router or switch. Their meaning varies by device, but no light can indicate a disconnected cable, inactive port, or hardware problem.
• Try another Ethernet cable, and try a different LAN port on the router or switch. Avoid the port marked for an internet/WAN connection unless the device instructions say to use it for a PC.
• If possible, connect another device using the same cable and port. This helps identify whether the problem follows the PC, cable, or network equipment.
• Restart the modem and router by unplugging their power briefly, then reconnecting them. Allow them time to finish starting before testing again.

Do not assume that a lit link light means internet access is working. It usually indicates a physical link, not that the router has a working internet connection or that Windows has received valid network settings.

2. Check Windows network status

In Windows 11, open Settings > Network & internet. In Windows 10, open Settings > Network & Internet > Status. Check whether Ethernet appears as connected and whether Windows reports “No internet” or another status. Menu wording can vary slightly with Windows updates and device configuration.

1. Confirm that the Ethernet adapter is enabled. Open Settings > Network & internet > Advanced network settings in Windows 11, or Change adapter options from the Network & Internet settings in Windows 10. If Ethernet is disabled, right-click it and choose Enable.
2. Run the network troubleshooter if Windows offers one from the Ethernet or network status page. Follow its prompts and note any reported issue rather than applying unfamiliar changes blindly.
3. Check whether other devices on the same router can reach the internet. If none can, the issue is more likely the router, modem, or internet service than the PC’s Ethernet settings.

3. Restart the connection and check addressing

A temporary problem with the adapter or router’s address assignment can prevent access even when the cable is connected. Restart the PC after saving open work, and power-cycle the router if you have not already done so. If Wi-Fi works on the same PC but Ethernet does not, focus on the wired adapter, cable, and wired network settings.

For a closer look, open Settings > Network & internet and select Ethernet to view connection details. You can also open Command Prompt and run ipconfig. A normal home connection often receives an IPv4 address and a default gateway from the router. An address beginning with 169.254 commonly means Windows did not receive an address from a DHCP server; it is a clue, not a diagnosis by itself.

If you are comfortable using Command Prompt, run ipconfig /release followed by ipconfig /renew to ask for a new DHCP lease. These commands apply to automatically configured connections and may briefly interrupt network access. Do not set a random static IP address: it can conflict with another device or be outside the network’s correct range.

4. Update or reinstall the Ethernet driver

A driver lets Windows communicate with the network adapter. A damaged, outdated, or mismatched driver can cause a missing adapter, repeated disconnections, or a connection that stopped working after a system change.

1. Right-click Start and open Device Manager.
2. Expand Network adapters and find the wired Ethernet adapter. Its name varies by PC. A warning symbol or an entry under Other devices may indicate a driver issue.
3. Right-click the adapter and choose Update driver, then try Search automatically for drivers. Windows may not find the newest driver, so if the problem persists, check the computer maker’s support page using the exact PC model.
4. If the issue began after a driver update, open the adapter’s Properties, select the Driver tab, and use Roll Back Driver if that option is available.
5. As a later measure, choose Uninstall device in Device Manager and restart Windows. Windows may reinstall the adapter driver. Before doing this, make sure you can get online another way or have access to the appropriate driver if Windows does not restore it.

Do not uninstall unrelated network devices. If the wired adapter is absent even after showing hidden devices and restarting, a disabled firmware setting, missing driver, or hardware fault may be involved.

5. Check settings and use network reset last

For most home users, Ethernet should obtain an IP address and DNS server automatically. In the adapter’s properties, open Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) and check the settings only if you know they were changed: typical router-managed networks use Obtain an IP address automatically and Obtain DNS server address automatically. Work, school, and specially configured networks may require settings from their administrator, so do not overwrite those with home-network defaults.

If several Windows network components seem misconfigured, use Network reset as a last resort. In Windows 11, find it under Settings > Network & internet > Advanced network settings; in Windows 10, it is under Settings > Network & Internet > Status. Reset removes and reinstalls network adapters and can require reconnecting to networks or reinstalling networking software. Read the confirmation screen, save work, and restart when prompted.

6. Identify when the fault is beyond Windows

If the same cable and router port work for another device but your PC’s Ethernet port never shows a link, the PC’s port or adapter may be faulty. A USB Ethernet adapter can help test whether the built-in port is the issue, though it does not repair that port. If every device loses internet, check the modem and router status or contact the internet provider. On a managed office or school network, ask the administrator before changing IP, DNS, proxy, or security settings.

Keep track of what changed immediately before the failure—such as a cable move, Windows update, driver installation, or router replacement. That detail can make it easier to choose between a physical, driver, and configuration fix.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Windows say Ethernet is connected but there is no internet?
A physical link can exist without a working internet route. Check whether other devices can access the internet, restart the router, and inspect the PC’s IP address and default gateway.

What does a 169.254 IP address mean?
It commonly indicates Windows did not receive an IPv4 address from the network’s DHCP server. Check the cable and router, then try renewing the address; on managed networks, contact the administrator.

Should I reset network settings to fix Ethernet?
Try cable, router, status, and driver checks first. Network reset can remove adapter configuration and require reconnecting or reinstalling network software, so use it only after simpler steps fail.

Can a bad Ethernet cable cause intermittent disconnections?
Yes. A damaged cable, loose plug, or failing port can interrupt the link. Testing with a known-working cable and another router port is a useful way to isolate the cause.

Why is my Ethernet adapter missing in Device Manager?
It may be disabled, missing its driver, disabled in firmware, or affected by a hardware fault. Check Device Manager’s network and other-device lists, restart Windows, and obtain the correct driver for your PC model if needed.

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