"Ethernet" Does Not Have a Valid IP Configuration: Resolved

“Ethernet” does not have a valid IP configuration is a problem that’s caused by a variety of problems, including inconsistency with fast startup, router problems, system file corruption, and more. Fortunately, many of these issues can be resolved easily.

In this post, we’ll be taking a look at the different causes of the invalid configuration issue as well as how to resolve them to get maximum performance. Without further ado, let’s get right to it.

Contents

1 What Causes the Ethernet Doesn’t Have a Valid IP Configuration?
2 The Ideal Solutions to Try When Fixing Invalid Ethernet IP Configuration
3 Conclusion

What Causes the Ethernet Doesn’t Have a Valid IP Configuration?

The Ethernet doesn’t have a valid IP configuration problem is caused by a wide range of issues, including fast startup issues, wrong manual DNS configuration, and router problems. Other common problems like the wrong network adapter and bad ethernet cable also lead to this error.

– Fast Startup Problems

If the Ethernet IP problem is happening on low-end hardware running Windows 11 or 10, then the issue may be related to your fast startup settings. Disabling fast startup might help you fix the problem.

– Incorrect DNS Configuration

If you’ve recently changed your DNS settings, whether manually or via a third-party app, then the Ethernet doesn’t have a valid configuration issue might be a result of the change.

Your computer may be having issues retrieving data from your network, thereby causing the error. Simply reconfiguring your Windows to automatically get its DNS data can help you fix the problem.

– Incorrect Network Adapter

If you started experiencing the Ethernet error after migrating to Windows 11, then the problem might be your network adapter not being compatible with your current OS. Since the Ethernet driver belongs to an old OS, it might be having conflicts with the properties of the new operating system, thereby causing you to experience the Ethernet doesn’t have a valid IP issue. To fix this problem, you can try uninstalling the old network adapter, thereby forcing your Windows 11 to download the generic version that’s suitable for it, or reinstalling the driver and resetting your network configurations.

– Router Cache Problems

If your data is holding on to inconsistent DNS cache data, then you’re likely to end up getting an invalid Ethernet IP configuration error. In this case, resetting your router or simply restarting it can help resolve the issue.

– System File Corruption

While it might be a stretch, there have been cases where this Ethernet error has been a result of a system file corruption, with the system being unable to retrieve network-related data. You can either use a third-party restoration app to find the cause of the issue and fix your system files or reinstall your operating system.

– Bad Ethernet Cable

If you have a bad ethernet cable, then you’re likely to get this error on your PC. You want to make sure your cables and powerline adapters are properly connected to your router and your computer and that the cables aren’t faulty in any way.

– Disabled DHCP

You’re likely to experience an invalid Ethernet settings error if you have DHCP disabled. Unless you activate DHCP, your computer will keep having an array of network-related issues, as it won’t be able to get the right network configurations to run properly. Reconfiguring your DHCP setting and turning it on can help you fix the problem.

– Faulty Network Adapter Drivers

If you started experiencing this issue after a recent Windows Update, then the problem might be a result of an incorrect driver or a bug in the update.

Simply removing the update from your device can help you fix this issue.

– Antivirus and VPNs

These programs tend to feature powerful settings with the capability to override your connections. They may be having conflicts with your system settings, thereby causing you to experience the Ethernet error. You can turn them off for a while to determine whether or not they’re the cause of the problem.

The Ideal Solutions to Try When Fixing Invalid Ethernet IP Configuration

The ideal solutions to try when fixing an invalid ethernet IP configuration include restarting your devices, including the router, which won’t take more than two minutes. On top of that, you can also go for options like disabling your VPNs and Fast Startup Feature.

There are many different solutions you can try to fix the reason why you’re getting the invalid configuration issue, including:

– Restarting Your Router and Computer

The first step you want to take to fix the issue is to restart your router since that’s where your network data comes from. A simple restart may be all you need to get things back in working order. Simply turn off your router, wait for about 10 seconds, then turn it back on. You can also restart your computer for good measure, then connect it back to your router and check to see if the problem has been resolved.

– Temporarily Disable Your Antivirus or VPN

Antivirus software and VPNs are capable of causing problems with your Ethernet connections.

The reason is that these programs come with powerful settings that can override or cause conflicts with your connection. Therefore, you want to turn them off for a little while to determine whether or not they’re the cause of the problem.

– Reset Your Network Adapter

If you’re still experiencing the issue after restarting your router, the next step would be resetting your network adapter. Doing so will refresh your network and IP settings. You can reset your adapter by following the steps below:

Press the Windows key and the “I” button at the same time to launch your settings menu.
Choose “Network & Internet” on the right panel.
Navigate to “Advanced network settings” on the right panel, then select “Change adapter options.”
If you have Windows 11, scroll to “Related settings” and select “More network adapter options.”
You’ll be taken to your network adapter window.
Right-click on your network adapter and choose “Disable” from the options.
Wait for a few seconds, then right-click on the adapter again and tap the “Enable” option to reactivate the adapter.
Now, check to see if the issue still persists.

– Disable Fast Startup Feature

Fast startup is one of the most common reasons why an “invalid IP configuration” error pops up. Disabling fast startup can help you fix the issue if you’re experiencing Ethernet doesn’t have a valid IP configuration in Windows 7 or in any updated versions. All you have to do is:

Click on the search icon or bar next to your start menu and search for the “Control panel.”
Select the top result to launch the control panel.
Change the “View mode” at the top right corner to small so you can see all the items on the Control Panel.
Next, choose the “Power Options” menu.
On the next window, navigate to “Choose what the power buttons does” and choose “Change settings that are currently unavailable.”
You may need to enter an administrator password.
Scroll to the “Turn on fast startup (recommended)” setting and uncheck the box next to it.
Tap on “Save changes” to save your settings, and fast startup should be disabled.
Restart your computer and check to see if the error has been resolved.

– Reconfigure Your Network Card

Windows computers retrieve IP addresses automatically, but there are times when these settings are misconfigured. Also, if you’ve made a recent change to your settings or added a specific IP to the adapter, it might be the reason why you’re having an invalid Ethernet IP problem. You’ll need to reset TCP/IPv4 by reconfiguring your network adapter settings to their default state to fix the issue. All you have to do is:

Click on the search bar or icon beside your start menu and search for the “Control panel”
Select the top result to launch the Control Panel window.
Navigate to “Network and Sharing Center” and choose “Change adapter settings” on the left-hand side.
Right-click on your adapter and choose “Properties” from the options.
Next, scroll down to “Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/Ipv4)” and double-click on it.
Check to see if the “Obtain an IP address automatically” radio is active; activate it if it’s not.
Move to the “Obtain DNS server address automatically” and activate its radio button as well.
Tap the “OK” button to save your settings and check to see if the problem has been fixed.

– Utilize Cloudflare or Google DNS

Sometimes, the DNS range provided by your ISP might be the problem causing you to experience an invalid Ethernet IP error. Reconfiguring your computer with Google or Cloudflare’s DNS might help resolve the problem as the DNS of these two services have better uptime and more reliability than what you’d get from your ISP.

If you’re wondering how to give my Ethernet a valid IP configuration, you can change your DNS settings by following the steps below:

Tap on your start menu and choose the gear icon to enter your settings menu.
Choose the “Network & Internet” option on the right panel.
Now, go to the right panel and scroll down to “Advanced Network Settings.”
Choose “Change adapter options” on the next window.
If you have Windows 11, scroll to “Related settings,” select “More network adapter options,” and you’ll be taken to your network adapter window.
Now, right-click on your Ethernet adapter and tap on “Properties” from the resulting menu.
Next, scroll down to “Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/Ipv4),” select it by clicking on it once, then choose the “Properties” option at the bottom right corner.
Choose the “Use the following DNS server addresses” option at the bottom of the next window.
Enter 8.8.8.8 as the “Preferred DNS address” and 8.8.4.4 as the “Alternate DNS address if you want to use Google’s DNS.
Or you can enter 1.1.1.1 as the “Preferred DNS address” and 1.0.0.1 as the “Alternate DNS address” if you intend to use Cloudflare’s DNS.
Tap the “OK” button to save your settings and close all open windows.
Once that’s done, press your Windows button and the “R” key at the same time to launch the Run dialog box.
Enter “cmd” into the dialog box to run the command prompt.
Now, press the shift, enter, and ctrl keys simultaneously to provide the command prompt with admin access.
Select “Yes” if you get a prompt.
Once the interface is open, type in the following command “ipconfig/flushdns”
Doing so will refresh your DNS servers and remove any cached data from previous networks.
Check to see if the problem has been resolved.

– Enable DHCP

Activating DHCP will allow your PC to automatically detect and retrieve the right network settings. If you disable DHCP, the configuration settings might be improperly applied, thereby triggering the Ethernet doesn’t have a valid IP configuration Windows 10. To activate DHCP on your computer, all you have to do is:

Press and hold the “R” and Windows buttons at the same time to launch the “Run” prompt.
Enter the command “services.msc” and press the shift, ctrl, and enter buttons at the same time to provide admin privileges.
Select “Yes” when you get a user account control prompt.
Now, in the “Services” window, check the right panel for “DHCP Client” and double-click on it.
Select “Properties” and choose the “General” tab.
Now, switch the Startup option to “Automatic” then click on “Apply” to save your changes.
Next, choose the “Start” option if your client is not running.
If it’s running, right-click on the client and select “Restart Service” from the list of options.
Now, check to see if the error has been cleared.

– Update or Reinstall Your Network Drivers

Another solution you can try to fix the Ethernet doesn’t have a valid IP configuration Windows 11 problem is to update or reinstall your device’s network interface card drivers. You can do so by following the steps below:

Right-click on your start menu and select “Device Manager” from the options.
Navigate to “Network Adapter” and double-click on it to expand the list of adapters.
Right-click on your current driver and choose “Update driver” from the options.
Choose the “Search automatically” option, and your device will scan the internet for an available driver.
If there’s a new update, your computer will download it and install it automatically.
Once the installation is complete, restart your device and check to see if the error is gone.
If there’s no update available, go back to your driver.
Right-click on it and select “Uninstall device.”
Once it has been removed from your device, restart your computer, and Windows should automatically reinstall the driver on your PC.
If the driver isn’t reinstalled, go back to the device manager, right-click on “Network Adapter” and choose “Scan for hardware changes.”
Doing so will reinstall the driver on your computer.
Restart your device for good measure and check to see if the error has been resolved.

– Use the Windows Network Troubleshooter

Windows can help you resolve network-related issues with its troubleshooter. While it might not be able to help you fix the problem, it can provide you with a clue on what’s causing the Ethernet doesn’t have a valid IP configuration but the WiFi works problem.

You can run the troubleshooter by following the steps below:

Launch your settings menu by pressing the “I” button and the Windows key at the same time.
Select “System” on the left panel and navigate to “Troubleshoot.”
Choose “Other troubleshooters” and click on “Run” in front of the “Internet Connections” troubleshooter.
Follow the on-screen wizard to complete the troubleshooting process and check to see if that resolves the problem.

– Reconfigure Your IP Address Settings

Reconfiguring or renewing your IP settings can also help you fix Ethernet doesn’t have valid IP configuration Windows 10. All you have to do is follow the steps outlined below:

Tap and hold your “R” button and Windows key at the same time to launch the “Run” dialog box.
Enter “cmd’ into the box and press the shift, enter, and ctrl keys at the same time to provide admin privileges.
Choose “Yes” if you get a user account control prompt.
Once you’re in the Command Prompt interface, enter the following commands: “IPconfig /release,” “IPconfig /flushdns,” “IPconfig /renew.”
Doing so will reset your IP address configuration.
Close the window once you’re done executing the commands and check to see if the problem has been fixed.

– Change Your Computer’s Power Management

Another solution you can try to fix why you’re Ethernet is coming up with the invalid configuration is to change your power plan. You can do so by following the steps below:

Press the “I” and Windows keys at the same time to launch your settings menu.
Select “System” on the left panel and navigate to “Power & battery” on the right panel.
Navigate to the “Power mode” option and click on it.
Select “Best Performance” from the dropdown and close your settings.
Restart your device and check to see if the issue has been fixed.

– Deactivate Microsoft Debug Adapter

You want to disable Microsoft kernel debug network adapter if you have the service turned on. You’re likely to experience issues with Ethernet if the debugger is turned on.

You can turn it off by following the steps below:

Click on the search bar next to your start menu and search for “cmd.”
Choose the “Run as administrator” option to provide the app with admin privileges.
Select “Yes” if you get a prompt.
Once you’re in the command prompt window, enter the following command: “bcdedit/debug off.”
Once that’s done, close the window and right-click on your start menu.
Choose “Device Manager” from the options and navigate to “Network Adapters”
Double-click on Network Adapters to expand the list.
Now, look for your Debug adapter, right-click on it, and select “Disable device.”
Restart your computer and check if the Ethernet issue has been resolved.

Conclusion

With the solutions listed above, you should be able to fix the “Ethernet” does not have a “valid IP configuration” error. Make sure to keep these few points in mind when deciding how to fix Ethernet doesn’t have a valid IP configuration error:

Fast startup is one of the most common reasons why this issue pops up.
Resetting your IP configurations can help you resolve the problem.
If there’s no update for your network adapter, simply remove it from your device and restart your device.
Make sure to provide the command prompt with admin privileges to get an effective solution.

Check that your cables aren’t damaged, make sure they’re properly connected to your network devices, and that your router settings are ideal. If you’ve tried all of the solutions we’ve listed above and nothing seems to work, then the problem might be with your router or your ISP.

“Ethernet” Does Not Have a Valid IP Configuration: Resolved