Fix DHCP Not Enabled for WiFi in Windows

When Windows says “DHCP is not enabled for Wi-Fi,” your computer cannot automatically get an IP address from the router, so it has no valid network connection. This guide shows you how to re-enable DHCP for your wireless adapter in Windows 10 and Windows 11, fixing the issue in a few minutes without any special tools.

What You’ll Need

• Administrator access to the Windows PC (you’ll need to confirm a User Account Control prompt).
• The name of your Wi-Fi network (SSID) and its password, in case you need to reconnect.
• A router that is powered on and working (check that other devices can connect).

Step-by-Step

1. Open Network Connections. Press Windows + R, type ncpa.cpl, and press Enter. This opens the classic Network Connections window.
2. Locate your Wi-Fi adapter. Look for an entry named “Wi-Fi” or “Wireless Network Connection.” It may have a red X or a yellow warning icon if it’s disabled or not configured.
3. Open adapter properties. Right-click the Wi-Fi adapter and select Properties. If prompted by User Account Control, click Yes.
4. Select Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4). In the list of items, scroll down and click once on Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) to highlight it. Do not uncheck it.
5. Open IPv4 properties. Click the Properties button below the list.
6. Enable automatic IP and DNS. In the General tab, select both:
   • Obtain an IP address automatically
   • Obtain DNS server address automatically

   If either is set to “Use the following,” switch it to automatic. Click OK to save.

7. Also check IPv6 (optional but recommended). Back in the adapter properties, select Internet Protocol Version 6 (TCP/IPv6) and click Properties. Set both to “Obtain automatically” as well, then click OK.
8. Close all windows. Click Close on the adapter properties window.
9. Renew your IP address. Open Command Prompt as administrator: press Windows + R, type cmd, then press Ctrl + Shift + Enter. Click Yes when prompted. Then run these commands one at a time, pressing Enter after each:

   ipconfig /release
   ipconfig /renew

10. Verify the fix. In the same Command Prompt, type ipconfig and press Enter. Look for your Wi-Fi adapter’s IPv4 address. It should start with 192.168., 10., or 172. (typical home router ranges). If you see an address like 169.254.x.x, DHCP is still not working.
11. Reconnect to Wi-Fi. If you were disconnected, click the network icon in the taskbar, select your Wi-Fi network, and connect again.

Common Mistakes

• Changing the wrong adapter. Make sure you are editing the Wi-Fi adapter, not Ethernet or Bluetooth. The name usually says “Wi-Fi” or “Wireless.”
• Unchecking the protocol. Do not uncheck the checkbox next to “Internet Protocol Version 4.” You must only click it once to select it, then click Properties.
• Forgetting to renew. Simply setting to automatic may not take effect until you run ipconfig /release and ipconfig /renew or restart the adapter.
• Setting a static IP accidentally. If you previously entered a manual IP address, make sure you switch back to “Obtain automatically” for both IP and DNS.
• Not restarting the adapter. Sometimes you need to disable and re-enable the Wi-Fi adapter after changing settings. In Network Connections, right-click the adapter and select Disable, then right-click again and select Enable.

Tips

• Restart your router first. If DHCP is not enabled on the router side, no Windows setting will help. Unplug the router for 30 seconds, plug it back in, and wait for it to fully boot.
• Use Windows Network Troubleshooter. Go to Settings > System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters (Windows 11) or Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot (Windows 10), and run the “Network Adapter” troubleshooter. It can automatically reset the adapter.
• Reset Winsock and TCP/IP stack. If DHCP settings are corrupted, run these commands in an elevated Command Prompt and restart:

  netsh winsock reset
  netsh int ip reset

• Check if the router’s DHCP pool is full. If many devices are connected, the router may have run out of addresses. Disconnect some devices or increase the DHCP pool size in the router settings.
• Update your Wi-Fi driver. An outdated driver can cause DHCP issues. Open Device Manager, expand “Network adapters,” right-click your Wi-Fi adapter, and choose “Update driver.”

Troubleshooting

If you still get the “DHCP is not enabled” error after following the steps, try these in order:

1. Check the router’s DHCP setting. Log into your router’s admin page (usually via a browser at 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1). Find the DHCP section and make sure it is enabled. The exact location varies by router brand, so look for “DHCP Server” or “LAN Settings.”
2. Try a different device. If other devices also cannot get an IP, the router is the problem. Restart it or reset it to factory defaults.
3. Disable and re-enable the Wi-Fi adapter. In Network Connections, right-click the adapter and choose Disable, wait 10 seconds, then right-click and choose Enable.
4. Run the network reset. In Windows 10: Settings > Network & Internet > Status > Network reset. In Windows 11: Settings > Network & Internet > Advanced network settings > Network reset. This reinstalls network adapters and resets all network settings to default. You’ll need to reconnect to Wi-Fi afterward.
5. Check for static IP settings in the router. If your PC’s MAC address is bound to a static IP in the router, but the IP is outside the DHCP range, DHCP may fail. Remove the reservation or set the PC to use that static IP manually.
6. Reinstall the Wi-Fi driver. In Device Manager, right-click the Wi-Fi adapter, choose “Uninstall device,” then restart Windows. The driver will reinstall automatically.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does “DHCP is not enabled” mean?

It means your Wi-Fi adapter is not set to automatically receive an IP address from the router. Without a valid IP, you can’t access the internet or local network.

Why did DHCP get disabled in the first place?

It can happen after a Windows update, a driver update, a manual network configuration, or if a third-party VPN or security software changed your network settings.

Do I need to restart the computer after changing DHCP settings?

Not always, but it’s a good idea if the changes don’t take effect immediately. Restarting ensures all network services reload.

Can I fix DHCP without admin rights?

No. Changing adapter settings requires administrator privileges. If you’re on a work or school computer, contact your IT administrator.

Will this fix my Wi-Fi if the router is the problem?

No. If the router’s DHCP server is disabled or malfunctioning, you’ll need to enable it in the router settings or restart the router. Windows settings only control your PC’s side.

What if I see an IP address starting with 169.254?

That’s an Automatic Private IP Address (APIPA). It means your PC couldn’t reach a DHCP server. Check the router, cables, and try restarting both the router and your PC.

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