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If Windows 11 says Wi-Fi doesn’t have a valid IP configuration, start with the Get Help app’s Network and Internet troubleshooter, then check whether the PC received an address from your router. The message alone does not identify a failed component. An address beginning with 169.254 is a useful clue: Microsoft says it means Windows could not get an IP address from the router.
What the error means—and what to check first
Your PC needs an IP address to communicate over the local network. The error indicates a problem with that network configuration, but does not by itself prove whether the cause is the PC, router, modem, or internet service. Microsoft’s Wi-Fi troubleshooting guidance applies to Windows 10 and Windows 11.
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- Open the Get Help app and run the Network and Internet troubleshooter.
- Check that Wi-Fi is on and Airplane mode is off.
- If the saved connection may be stale, forget the Wi-Fi network and reconnect with its password.
Work out whether the problem is the PC or the network
Check whether another device can join the same Wi-Fi network. If other devices also fail, the router, modem, or ISP may be involved; if they connect normally, focus on the Windows PC. These checks narrow the possibilities but do not prove a cause.
You can also restart the modem and router. This temporarily disconnects everyone using the network, so do it when that interruption is acceptable. If the router offers another Wi-Fi frequency band, try connecting the PC to it.
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Check the IP address and request a new one
Open Command Prompt and run ipconfig. Find the Wi-Fi adapter’s IPv4 address. If it begins with 169.254, Microsoft says Windows could not obtain an IP address from the router. If your network is not meant to use manually assigned, static addresses, check that DHCP is enabled on the router; DHCP is what assigns addresses automatically.
To ask Windows to renew its address, run these commands in Command Prompt:
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ipconfig /release
ipconfig /renewCheck whether Wi-Fi works afterward. If it does not, continue with the full reset sequence below.
Run Microsoft’s network reset commands
Open Command Prompt as administrator, then enter these commands in order, pressing Enter after each. Check the connection when the sequence finishes.
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netsh winsock reset
netsh int ip reset
ipconfig /release
ipconfig /renew
ipconfig /flushdnsThe sequence resets Winsock and TCP/IP, releases and renews the IP address, and clears the DNS client resolver cache. It is a troubleshooting attempt, not a guaranteed fix.
Test whether the PC can reach the router
In Command Prompt, run ipconfig and note the Wi-Fi adapter’s Default Gateway address. Then ping that address, replacing the example with the address shown on your PC:
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ping 192.168.1.1A reply means the PC can reach the Wi-Fi router over the local network. Microsoft says the modem or ISP may then be the next place to investigate. If there is no reply, the PC is not reaching the router successfully.
If possible, connect the PC directly to the modem with Ethernet and check whether the connection works. If it does, that points toward a router-side problem; it is a diagnostic clue, not a certainty. This test is optional and requires compatible Ethernet ports or an appropriate adapter. Check the router’s firmware and documentation if the evidence points toward the router.
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Reinstall the network adapter driver if earlier steps fail
Microsoft suggests uninstalling the network adapter driver and restarting Windows so it can look for and reinstall the driver. Before uninstalling it, obtain a backup driver from your PC manufacturer. If the PC is offline, download the driver on another device and copy it to a USB drive so it is available for recovery.
Use Network reset only as a last resort
Microsoft Support says, “Using network reset should be the last step you try.” In Windows 11, go to Settings > Network & internet > Advanced network settings > Network reset, then select the reset option and follow the prompts.
Network reset removes installed network adapters and their settings, reinstalls them after restart, and restores default settings. VPN client software or Hyper-V virtual switches may need to be set up again, and known networks may change to Public profiles.
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