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If Ethernet is not working in Windows 11, start with Get Help’s Network and Internet troubleshooter, then check the cable and router port. Work through the fixes below in order, from quick checks to changes that reset drivers or network settings. A PC can show an Ethernet connection to the local network without having internet access, so use the status and device comparisons as clues rather than proof of a specific fault.
1. Run the Network and Internet troubleshooter
Windows 11’s first recommended step is the automated diagnostic in Get Help. It checks for common network problems and may apply a fix automatically.
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- Open Get Help from Start.
- Search for connect to network and internet.
- Select Run network diagnostics and follow the prompts.
See Microsoft’s Windows troubleshooters guidance for the current diagnostic workflow.
2. Check the cable and router port
Confirm the Ethernet cable is firmly seated at both the PC and the router. At the router, use a port marked LAN or Ethernet, not the Internet port reserved for the modem-to-router connection. If you have another cable, test it before replacing anything; if the second cable works, the original cable may be faulty.
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3. Restart the modem and router
Restarting network equipment can establish a fresh connection to the internet provider. It will temporarily disconnect people using Wi-Fi, so choose a time when that interruption is acceptable.
- Turn off or unplug the modem and router. If you have a modem/router combo, treat it as one device and follow its restart instructions.
- Wait briefly, then power the modem back on first, if it is separate.
- Wait until its status lights show it is ready; then power on the router and wait for it to finish starting.
- Reconnect the PC and check Ethernet again.
4. Check Ethernet in Windows Settings
Open Settings > Network & internet and inspect the Ethernet state. Windows should show Connected when the wired link is active. If you see Action needed or another error, select Ethernet to view more details. This status is useful, but it does not by itself establish whether internet access is available.
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- Supports IPv4/IPv6 pack Checksum Offload Engine (COE) to reduce Cental Processing Unit (CPU) loading
- Compatible with Windows 8.1 or higher, Mac OS
5. Compare Ethernet with Wi-Fi
If the router provides Wi-Fi, try connecting the same PC to it. When Wi-Fi works but Ethernet does not, the issue may be somewhere in the wired path—the cable, router port, Ethernet adapter, or its driver. That comparison narrows the possibilities but does not identify a particular faulty part. If both connections fail on this PC, investigate Windows networking or the router and internet service as well.
6. Reset Windows network components with commands
Use this step if the simpler checks do not restore the connection. The commands need an elevated Command Prompt: open Start, search for Command Prompt, choose Run as administrator, and approve the prompt. Run each command in the sequence shown, pressing Enter after each, then check connectivity:
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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. Microsoft lists these commands in its Ethernet troubleshooting guidance.
7. Update, roll back, or reinstall the Ethernet driver
If the problem began after a Windows or driver update, check whether the Ethernet driver can be rolled back. Otherwise, use Device Manager to check for an update or reinstall the adapter driver. Microsoft recommends getting drivers from the PC manufacturer rather than unofficial download sites.
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- Before uninstalling the adapter, download its driver from the PC manufacturer’s support site and keep a copy available. If the PC is offline, download it on another computer and transfer it with a USB flash drive.
- Open Device Manager from Start and expand Network adapters.
- Open the Ethernet adapter’s properties. If the issue followed an update and Roll Back Driver is available, consider using it.
- If reinstalling is appropriate, uninstall the Ethernet adapter in Device Manager and restart the PC. Windows may try to reinstall its driver during startup; use the prepared manufacturer driver if needed.
Microsoft explains driver updates, rollbacks, and reinstall considerations in Update drivers through Device Manager in Windows.
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8. Use Network reset as a last resort
Network reset removes installed network adapters and their settings, then reinstalls the adapters and resets settings after the PC restarts. It can affect VPN software and Hyper-V virtual switches, which may need to be reinstalled or configured again. Windows may also change known connections to a Public network profile.
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- Open Settings > Network & internet > Advanced network settings.
- Select Network reset, then Reset now.
- After the restart, check the connection and restore any VPN or virtual-switch configuration you rely on.
Because this resets more than the Ethernet connection, try the earlier checks first. Microsoft describes the effects in its Ethernet connection troubleshooting steps.
9. Test another device on the same Ethernet network
Connect a second computer to the same router and cable, if possible. If it lacks an Ethernet jack, a compatible USB-to-Ethernet adapter can provide a wired port; check that it works with the computer’s USB connector and Windows version. If the second device connects, the original PC becomes a more likely source of the problem. If neither device connects, the router, internet provider, or adapter may be involved. This test helps narrow the fault but cannot guarantee which component is responsible.
What the symptoms can suggest
| What you observe | Next check | What it may suggest |
|---|---|---|
| No connection state after plugging in | Reseat both cable ends, verify the router LAN port, and test another cable. | A problem in the physical cable or port path is possible. |
| Wi-Fi works on this PC, but Ethernet does not | Check the cable, router port, Ethernet adapter, and driver. | The wired path may be involved, but the comparison is not conclusive. |
| Both Wi-Fi and Ethernet fail on this PC | Run Get Help diagnostics, then try the network commands if needed. | The issue could involve broader Windows networking or the network itself. |
| Several devices fail on the same network | Restart the modem and router; contact the internet provider if the problem persists. | The router or internet service becomes more plausible. |
| The problem started after a driver or Windows update | Check the driver, consider rolling it back, or reinstall it with a manufacturer-provided copy ready. | The recent driver change may be relevant. |
When to check IP settings
Windows generally should obtain an IP address automatically when the network supports DHCP. Avoid changing IP or DNS settings manually unless your network administrator or provider has given you specific values to use. Microsoft’s essential network settings guide explains DHCP and related Windows settings.
Quick Recap
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