Use ipconfig to find your active connection’s default gateway, then ping that address to check whether your PC can reach the router. If that works but the internet does not, test further with care: a failed ping or an incomplete tracert does not, by itself, prove where the fault lies.
Open Command Prompt
For inspection commands such as ipconfig, ping and tracert, open Command Prompt normally; administrator access is not needed. Use an elevated Command Prompt only for the network reset commands later in this guide. These steps apply to Windows 10 and Windows 11 troubleshooting guidance from Microsoft’s Wi-Fi connection guide and Ethernet connection guide.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Find the active connection and default gateway
- In Command Prompt, run
ipconfig. - Find the active Wi-Fi or Ethernet adapter, then locate its Default Gateway value.
- Use the gateway shown under the adapter you are actually using. Do not take an address from a disconnected adapter, VPN, virtual interface or other unrelated connection.
The default gateway is typically your router’s local address. Microsoft uses 192.168.1.1 as an example, but router addresses vary; use the value shown on your PC. Microsoft’s Wi-Fi troubleshooting steps use this gateway address as the target for a local connectivity ping.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Ping the router to check the local link
Enter ping followed by the gateway address, for example:
#1 Best Overall
- 𝐇𝐢𝐠𝐡-𝐒𝐩𝐞𝐞𝐝 𝐔𝐒𝐁 𝐄𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐭 𝐀𝐝𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 - UE306 is a USB 3.0 Type-A to RJ45 Ethernet adapter that adds a reliable wired network port to your laptop, tablet, or Ultrabook. It delivers fast and stable 10/100/1000 Mbps wired connections to your computer or tablet via a router or network switch, making it ideal for file transfers, HD video streaming, online gaming, and video conferencing.
- 𝐔𝐒𝐁 𝟑.𝟎 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐅𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫, 𝐌𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐚 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐬- Powered via USB 3.0, this adapter provides high-speed Gigabit Ethernet without the need for external power(10/100/1000Mbps). Backward compatible with USB 2.0/1.1, it ensures reliable performance across a wide range of devices.
- 𝐒𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐬 𝐍𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐨 𝐒𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐜𝐡- Easily connect your Nintendo Switch to a wired network for faster downloads and a more stable online gaming experience compared to Wi-Fi.
- 𝐏𝐥𝐮𝐠 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐲- No driver required for Nintendo Switch, Windows 11/10/8.1/8, and Linux. Simply connect and enjoy instant wired internet access without complicated setup.
- 𝐁𝐫𝐨𝐚𝐝 𝐃𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲- Supports Nintendo Switch, PCs, laptops, Ultrabooks, tablets, and other USB-powered web devices; works with network equipment including modems, routers, and switches.
ping 192.168.1.1
Replace that example with your own Default Gateway value. Replies show that the PC can reach the router interface over the local network. They do not establish that the router can reach the internet, or that a particular website or app is available.
If there is no reply, first confirm you used the active adapter’s gateway and that Wi-Fi or Ethernet is connected. A ping failure is not conclusive: network equipment can be configured not to answer ping. If practical, compare with another device on the same network or connect the PC by Ethernet. Microsoft recommends a wired comparison when troubleshooting Wi-Fi; if wired access works, check the router’s documentation or firmware guidance. For a PC without an Ethernet port, Microsoft notes that a USB-to-Ethernet adapter may be an option; check compatibility with your computer before choosing one. See Microsoft’s Ethernet troubleshooting guidance.
Rank #2
- Connects a USB 3.0 device (computer/laptop) to a router, modem, or network switch to deliver Gigabit Ethernet to your network connection. Does not support Smart TV or gaming consoles (e.g.Nintendo Switch).
- Supported features include Wake-on-LAN function, Green Ethernet & IEEE 802.3az-2010 (Energy Efficient Ethernet)
- Supports IPv4/IPv6 pack Checksum Offload Engine (COE) to reduce Cental Processing Unit (CPU) loading
- Compatible with Windows 8.1 or higher, Mac OS
If the router replies but internet access still fails
A gateway reply narrows the result to a working PC-to-router path; it does not isolate the remaining cause. Check whether the problem affects multiple websites or apps and compare with another device on the same network. Possible causes include the modem or ISP, DNS, a VPN or proxy, firewall settings, the browser or app, or the destination service itself. Microsoft’s Wi-Fi guide suggests checking configured DNS servers and pinging a DNS server, but a DNS server that does not answer ICMP ping is not, on its own, proof that DNS lookups are failing.
PC Slower Than It Used to Be?
A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11Crashes, No Sound, or Screen Glitches?
Random freezes, missing sound and display glitches usually trace back to one bad driver. Find and replace yours safely.Free scan · under a minuteTry an external ping as a clue
You can ping a known external IP address or hostname as an additional check. Treat the result cautiously: some networks or hosts filter ICMP, so no reply does not necessarily mean the service is unreachable. If you use a hostname, Windows must also resolve its name, so a failure can involve DNS as well as connectivity. A successful ping confirms only that the target answered those probes; it does not prove that every internet service is accessible.
Rank #3
- [Expansion Ports] The USB C to Ethernet Adapter expands the device to three USB 3.0 ports and one Gigabit Ethernet port. Provides you more peripheral ports while maintaining a stable network connection, plug and play, no driver required.
- [Gigabit Network Port] ALL-LUCKY USB Ethernet Adapter transmission rate up to 1000Mbps, also compatible with 10/100Mbps bandwidth. It allows you to enjoy a smooth and stable network connection and avoid too much lag. (Note: To reach 1Gbps, please use CAT6 or above Ethernet cable connection)
- [Convertible Connector]This usb hub with ethernet not only has USB-A connector, but also can be converted to USB-C connector, so that you can easily convert the connector according to the device port, improve the convenience of use.
- [High-Speed Data Transfer] The usb to ethernet adapter adopts USB 3.0 transmission technology, supports up to 5Gbps transmission rate, and is compatible with USB 2.0(480Gbps),USB 1.0(12Mbps), easily transfer video, files and other data for you in seconds. (Note: Maximum output current is 900mA, does not support charging devices.)
- [Widely Compatible]The usb c ethernet adapter for iMac, MacBook Pro, iPad Pro, XPS and many other devices. Compatible with Windows 11/10/8.1/8, Mac OS, iPad OS, Chrome OS.（Note: Driver is required on Win 7） It can be used in office, school, library and other occasions, compact and portable, easy to carry around.
Use tracert to inspect responding hops
To see which intermediate routers respond on a path, run tracert with a hostname or IP address, such as:
tracert example.com
tracert increases the packet’s time-to-live (TTL) and relies on routers returning ICMP time-exceeded messages. The output lists responding hops, not a complete map of every device or a measurement of bandwidth or service quality. Some routers do not return those messages and may show as missing hops or asterisks. Microsoft Support explains that “some routers silently drop packets that have expired TTLs, and these packets are invisible to TRACERT.” Therefore, a missing hop alone does not show that the destination is unreachable. See Microsoft’s TRACERT explanation; its applicability section names Windows Server 2019, so it is a technical description of the utility rather than a specific Windows 10/11 support promise.
Rank #4
- The Anker Advantage: Join the 65 million+ powered by our leading technology.
- Instant Internet: Connect to the internet instantly from virtually any USB-C 3.0 device, and enjoy stable connection speeds of up to 1 Gbps.
- Lightweight and Compact: The space-saving and portable design measures just over half an inch thick and weighs about the same as a AA battery.
- Premium Build: Features a sleek aluminum exterior and braided-nylon cable to complement the design of high-end devices.
- What You Get: PowerExpand USB-C to Gigabit Ethernet Adapter, welcome guide, 18-month worry-free warranty, and friendly customer service.
Reset network configuration only after basic checks
Microsoft lists the following commands for manually resetting network configuration. They change network state rather than simply measuring it, so try them after the diagnostic checks above, not as a first test.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →- Open Command Prompt as administrator.
- Run each command in order, waiting for it to finish before entering the next:
netsh winsock resetnetsh int ip resetipconfig /releaseipconfig /renewipconfig /flushdns
Best Value
![BENFEI USB 3.0 to Ethernet Adapter, USB C to RJ45 Gigabit LAN (1000Mbps) Network Adapter, Compatible with MacBook/Pro/Air, Surface Pro, Windows 11/10/8/7, Mac OS [Aluminium Shell&Nylon Cable]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41fk9DHmdwL._SL160_.jpg)
- COMPACT DESIGN - The compact-designed portable BENFEI USB A/C to Ethernet adapter connects your computer or tablet to a router,modem or network switch for network connection. It adds a standard RJ45 port to your Ultrabook, notebook or Macbook Air for file transferring, video conferencing, gaming, and HD video streaming.
- SUPERIOR STABILITY - Built-in advanced IC chip works as the bridge between RJ45 Ethernet cable and your USB A/C devices. The driver-free installation with native driver support in Chrome, Mac, and Windows OS; The USB A/C Ethernet adapter dongle supports important performance features including Wake-on-Lan (WoL), Full-Duplex (FDX) and Half-Duplex (HDX) Ethernet, Crossover Detection, Backpressure Routing, Auto-Correction (Auto MDIX).
- INCREDIBLE PERFORMANCE - Supports full 10/100/1000Mbps gigabit ethernet performance over USB A/C's 5Gbps bus, faster and more reliable than most wireless connections. Link and Activity LEDs. USB powered, no external power required. Backward compatible with USB 2.0/1.1.✅ To reach 1Gbps, make sure to use CAT6 & up Ethernet cables.
- BROAD COMPATIBILITY - The USB A/C-Ethernet adapter is compatible with Windows 11/10/8.1/8/7/Vista/XP, Mac OSX 10.6/10.7/10.8/10.9/10.10/10.11/10.12, Linux kernel 3.x/2.6, Android and Chrome OS.Compatible with IEEE 802.3, IEEE 802.3u and IEEE 802.3ab. Supports IEEE 802.3az (Energy Efficient Ethernet).❌Do Not Support Windows RT. (NOT compatible with Nintendo Switch.)
- 18 MONTH WARRANTY - Exclusive BENFEI Unconditional 18-month Warranty ensures long-time satisfaction of your purchase; Friendly and easy-to-reach customer service to solve your problems timely.
The commands reset Winsock and IP configuration, release and renew the IP lease, and clear the DNS cache. The release and renewal steps can interrupt connectivity while Windows obtains network configuration again. Before proceeding, note any manually configured network settings and workplace VPN requirements, since a reset may affect them. Restart if Windows or the command output requests it, then test the connection again. Microsoft documents this sequence in its Wi-Fi and Ethernet troubleshooting guides.
Quick Recap
Choose the next step from what you observed
- Gateway ping succeeds, but access still fails: compare another device and investigate the modem or ISP, DNS, VPN, proxy, firewall, browser or app, or the destination service.
- Gateway ping fails: recheck the active adapter, gateway address and Wi-Fi or Ethernet connection; consider that the router may filter ping before concluding it is offline.
- Tracert shows missing hops: interpret them as routers that did not respond to the trace, not automatic proof of a broken route.
- Basic checks and reset do not help: Windows’ built-in troubleshooters are another option. Windows 11 users can start the Get Help Network and Internet troubleshooter; see Microsoft’s Windows troubleshooters guide. For further Wi-Fi or Ethernet problems, Microsoft also discusses adapter-driver troubleshooting in its respective guides.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
