To search for any information on the internet and get results, you need a valid IP address. This works quite similar to that of making phone calls, where you need a valid number. So, you can’t access the internet unless you have a valid IP address, as you have probably figured out. Now, you might wonder why the Ethernet doesn’t have a valid IP configuration. Most importantly, how do you fix this?
This issue might confuse you, but you must know that you can solve it all by yourself. So, no need to opt for a professional right away. Here, you can find some simple ways to solve the issue.
Why Ethernet Doesn’t Have a Valid IP Configuration and How Do You Fix This?
If you’re wondering, this problem has more than just a single cause. Just like other computer problems, various components could be at fault and resulting in such an issue. So, you might have to try out various solutions before you finally reach the right one. However, every fix mentioned here is quite simple, so it would save you a lot of time.
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Restart
Whenever a problem arises in your PC, you might want to try restarting it, this often works in a lot of cases. This method has proved to be effective against multiple other errors after all. So, it might sometimes work to solve the issue with the IP address as well.
Router/ Modem
You must be using a router or modem to connect to the web. You need to try restarting them as well. After all, it’s not always your device’s system that is at fault. After you switch off the router/modem, wait for a few minutes before starting it back. You need to ensure that there’s a considerable gap between the powering off and on the process. Only then will your PC be able to completely resolve the problem. You won’t get any results if you power it on before it completes this process.
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Network Adapter
One of the most crucial components for connecting your device to the web is the adapter. In some cases, it could be the only reason for the issue you’re facing with the IP address. Certain errors in this adapter can cause this problem.
The most viable solution, in this case, would be to restart the adapter. You can use the Control Panel or Device Manager to do this. Find the adapter you’re using on your device. Right-click on it and you’ll see the disable option among others. Wait for a few minutes before you enable it again. Now, this will give it some time to resolve any issues and refresh itself.
You can also do this using the Command Prompt while running the administrator mode.
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Faults within the Cable
If you’re wondering why Ethernet doesn’t have a valid IP configuration, it can be due to the cable. Now, it would be better to try using another cable than checking the current one. Don’t have another Ethernet cable? Try borrowing it from someone and use it for the connection.
If this cable works, then undoubtedly it indicates that there’s a problem with the previous one. If it doesn’t, then that indicates the problem is somewhere else.
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Network Adapter Errors
While functioning for a long time, it is quite natural for various components to face errors. The network adapter is surely not an exception among them, various errors can show up in it while it’s trying to connect you to the internet. As a result, your device suddenly shows issues with the IP configuration.
Now, you might wonder where to look for this error. It’s simple, you can just let the troubleshooter handle this task. Use it to run a scan of the system and find any issues with the network adapter.
If it finds any, it’ll proceed to repair them right away. What if it’s unable to fix the error? In case you’re wondering, that does happen often. However, this tool has some limitations like others. But, it will at least let you know what to do next to solve the issue. That might prove quite helpful for you.
You can find the Troubleshooter in the device Settings. You will see it’s available for various components. In this case, you need to navigate to the Network Adapter Troubleshooter and use it to run the scan.
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Assigned IP Address
Every device has a particular IP address that it uses to go online. Now, who decides what this address would be? That’s the task of the network adapter. Every time you connect to the online network, it assigns a certain address to your device. While doing that, it might have assigned you an invalid one, and as a result, your Ethernet doesn’t have a valid IP configuration.
There’s a simple way to solve this — you set your own IP address which would be valid as well as static. To do this manually, you have to go to the Control Panel of the system. Navigate to the adapter you’re using and open its Properties, find the IPV you’re using in there and open it.
Now, you’ll see the options to manually or automatically obtain an IP address and DNS server. Check on the manual option and set them according to your preference. Your device will use this IP address and DNS server from now on. As long as you’ve set a valid one, you shouldn’t face any further issues with them.
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Driver is too Old
The various driver software in your device is crucial for its functioning, and the system can control the hardware only through them. So, they need proper attention from the user, which users often ignore. You might be using the same old network adapter driver for quite a long time, if that’s the case, it explains the error you’re facing.
The solution for this is quite simple and obvious — update the driver. Your device won’t face any further problems regarding the IP configuration after that. Navigate to the driver in the Device Manager and right-click to get the Update option.
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Corrupt Driver File
Sometimes, corrupt data from the driver causes problems with the IP address. This could be due to various reasons. Maybe there had been an error in the installation process of this version. Regardless, reinstalling it seems to be the only viable way in such a situation. There’s no way to repair it, even though there should be. So, you need to remove it and then restart the device to install it again.
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Fast Startup
Are you using Windows 10? Then, your system has a Fast Startup feature to make the device boot faster. Moreover, this is enabled on your device by default unless you change it. In some cases, it can cause issues with the IP address, the same kind that you’re facing. So, you might want to disable it from the Control Panel Power Options.
Go to the Power button, given in blue, and opt to change the current settings in there. That will bring up the Fast Startup option among others, disable it.
Conclusion…
When your Ethernet doesn’t have a valid IP configuration, the above-mentioned issues could be behind it. You need to find the appropriate solution for your case by trying each and every mentioned fix given here. Hopefully, at least one of them would be effective. If they aren’t working, you always have the alternative of getting professional help.
Frequently Asked Questions:
How do I setup a valid IP configuration for Ethernet?
- Choose Internet Protocol 4 (TCP/IPv4) and click on “Properties” to open your connectivity properties.
- Now choose the IP address that follows and use the DNS server addresses that follow. Complete the data as shown on the following screenshot. Click OK to save changes after you’re done.
How do I reset TCP IP settings?
- Press Enter and reset the type Netsh winsock.
- Press the Enter button and type netsh int ip reset.
- Type ipconfig and click Enter.
- Press Enter and type ipconfig /renew.
- Type /flushdns in ipconfig and press Enter.
