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Ethernet Not Working [8 Quick Fixes]

Encompassing solutions to solve PC won’t connect to Ethernet

6 min. read

Updated onSeptember 16, 2024

updated onSeptember 16, 2024

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Many PC users have reported their Ethernet not working. In today’s article, you will find out why this happens and how to fix it in a few minutes.

While external interference canaffect wireless connections, their wired counterpart is less prone to such factors. This is one of the reasons cable connections are still recommended for servers, download machines, media streaming, and gaming.

Although Ethernet connections are easier to install and manage than wireless connections, sometimes they can be a bit of a headache to troubleshoot.

Why is my Ethernet not working?

There can be a lot of reasons why your Ethernet cable connection is refusing to work, so troubleshooting can be a bit difficult.

However, we will try to highlight a few of the main issues that might prevent your PC from connecting to the Internet by using Ethernet.

Knowing all that, in this article,we will discusshow you can check the basics of an Ethernet connection on a machine running Windows 10.

What can I do if my Ethernet connection is not working?

Before applying any of the fixes below to fix the Ethernet connection not working issue, you should do the following:

1. Enable the connection

First of all, you can check if your Ethernet not working error is caused by a disabled connection. If this is the case, you can simply enable your connection.

Right-click on theStartbutton and selectNetwork Connections.
Click onEthernetfrom the left and chooseChange adapter optionsfrom the right.
Lastly, all you have to do isright-clickon your connection and selectEnable.

2. Check your drivers

After you have uninstalled your drivers, we recommend reinstalling them automatically, and the safer and easier way to update drivers on a Windows computer is by using anautomatic driver updating tool.

Drivers can then be updated in batches or one at a time without requiring the user to make complex decisions. Driver updaters are user-friendly and use very few system resources.

3. Check your connection details

For this, you’ll have to consult your router/switch/modem configuration manual or obtain the details from your ISP or network administrator.

4. Check for viruses

We recommend you try an advanced virus removal tool with all the features necessary to keep your PC fully protected.

Thankfully, plenty ofWindows 10 compatible antivirus softwaretools have great Internet security and can detect any network threats immediately.

5. Run the Internet connection troubleshooter

6. Roll back the network adapter driver

7. Turn off your antivirus/firewall and VPN software

8. Reset your network

We hope that your Ethernet connection has been restored by using one of our solutions presented in this article.

For more troubleshooting steps, check out our guide on how tofix Windows 11 Ethernet if it’s not working.

If yourWiFi doesn’t work but Ethernet does, check out our guide to find out what solutions can be used.

Lastly, if you want touse WiFi and Ethernet at the same time, we can teach you how to do that as well.

We also have guides on what to do ifEthernet doesn’t have a valid IP configuration, or if theNetwork cable is not properly plugged or may be brokenso don’t miss them.

If you’re sure the network you’re trying to connect to is set up properly and still can’t connect, please use the comments section below to ask for further assistance.

Ethernet Not Working [8 Quick Fixes]#

Why is my Ethernet not working?#

What can I do if my Ethernet connection is not working?#

1. Enable the connection#

2. Check your drivers#

3. Check your connection details#

4. Check for viruses#

5. Run the Internet connection troubleshooter#

6. Roll back the network adapter driver#

7. Turn off your antivirus/firewall and VPN software#

8. Reset your network#