Fix: Ethernet doesn’t have a valid IP configuration on Windows

The “Ethernet Doesn’t Have a Valid IP Configuration” error has a long history of occurring on Windows. The latest variation of this issue typically occurs when users attempt to deploy a Windows Network Diagnostics scan and it’s usually rooted in some kind of issue with the NIC (Network Interface Card). This problem is confirmed to occur on Windows 10 and Windows 11. 

We’ve investigated this particular issue by analyzing various user reports and the resolutions that they used in order to get the issue fixed. As it turns out, there are actually several different underlying culprits that might ultimately cause the “Ethernet Doesn’t Have a Valid IP Configuration” error.

Here’s a list of scenarios that are most likely causing this problem:

Now that we went over every potential scenario that is known to cause the “Ethernet Doesn’t Have a Valid IP Configuration” error, let’s go over every confirmed method that other affected users have successfully used to identify and treat the cause of the issue.

1. Start with the obvious

Before you get to the more technical fixes featured in the article, our recommendation is to start with a series of troubleshooting steps that are most commonly effective in resolving the “Ethernet Doesn’t Have a Valid IP Configuration” error.

To make matters easier for you, we’ve put together a step-by-step video that will help you troubleshoot the most common causes of this error:

1. Fast Startup is interfering with the active network.
2. The current network is configured to use a manual DNS range.
3. There’s a network inconsistency rooted in the cached data.
4. Your OS is using an incompatible network adapter driver migrated over from an older Windows version.

If the “Ethernet Doesn’t Have a Valid IP Configuration” error is occurring due to one of the causes mentioned above, the video tutorial below will help you fix it.

If you followed the video above and you’re still experiencing the same Ethernet Doesn’t Have a Valid IP Configuration” error when you run the Windows Diagnostics utility, move down to the next method below. 

2. Migrate to Google or Cloudflare DNS

If the methods above were not effective in your case, you should investigate a deeper issue with your DNS cache. The next thing you should try is to switch to a more reliable public DNS, like Google or Cloudflare.

Google and Cloudflare DNS both have high uptime rates and they are much more dependable than any DNS range that your Internet provider gives you by default.

If the reason why you are experiencing the “Ethernet Doesn’t Have a Valid IP Configuration” error is caused by some type of inconsistency with the DNS range from your ISP, making the switch to a public DNS will resolve most of the issues where you see this error message.

Note: Most of these issues are usually caused by the DNS system being down, overloaded, or unresponsive.

To fix this issue, follow the instructions below to switch to Google’s DNS or Cloudflare’s DNS:

1. To access the Windows Settings menu, press and hold the Windows Key then press the I key.
2. Inside the Windows Settings app, use the side menu on the left to click on Network & Internet.
3. From the Network & Internet settings, scroll down to the Advanced network settings menu and click on Change adapter options.

   

   Note: This will bring up a list of all available network adapters on your computer.

4.  Find the network adapter that is currently active, right-click on it, and select Properties from the context menu that appears.
5. Once you’re inside the Properties screen of your Network adapter, click on the Networking tab.
6. Under the “This connection uses the following items,” select Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP / IPv4) and click on the Properties button below.

   

7. In the next window, select the General tab and toggle on “Use the following DNS server addresses.“
8. Set 8.8.8.8 as your preferred DNS server and 8.8.4.4 as your alternate DNS server to use Google DNS.

   

   Note: Additionally, you can set 1.1.1.1 as your preferred DNS server and 1.0.0.1 as your alternate DNS server to use Cloudflare DNS.

9. Click OK to save your changes, then close out of the Properties screen for your network adapter.
10. Next, open up a Run dialog box by pressing Windows key + R and type ‘cmd’ inside the text box.

    

11. To open an elevated CMD prompt with admin access, press Ctrl + Shift + Enter. At the User Account Control, click Yes to grant admin access. 
12. Inside the Command Prompt window, type the following command and press Enter to refresh your DNS servers and clear any previously cached network data:

    ipconfig /flushdns

13. Redeploy the diagnostics scan and see if the problem is now fixed.

If the “Ethernet Doesn’t Have a Valid IP Configuration” error is still occurring, move down to the next method below. 

3. Reset Your Network Settings

Network issues can often be solved by resetting your internet settings. If you are experiencing the “Ethernet Doesn’t Have a Valid IP Configuration” error due to a network inconsistency, the next thing you should do is deploy a series of commands that will effectively reset every component and sub-component of your current network configuration. 

Note: This method will be effective in situations where the error occurs due to an outdated or conflicting network setting. By flushing the DNS server and resetting the socket, you can reinitialize the connection procedure. This may fix the issue.

Follow the instructions below to effectively reset all your network settings:

1. Start by pressing the Windows key + R to open up a Run dialog box. 
2. Next, type ‘cmd’ inside the dialog box, then press Ctrl + Shift + Enter to open up an elevated Command Prompt.

   

3. At the User Account Control, click Yes to grant admin access. 
4. Once you’re inside the elevated Command Prompt, type the following command and press Enter to effectively reset your network component:

   ipconfig /flushdns
   
   ipconfig /renew
   
   nbtstat –R
   
   nbtstat –RR
   
   netsh int ip reset c:\resetlog.txt
   
   netsh winsock reset

5. After resetting your settings, restart your computer properly.
6. Once your computer boots back up, press Windows + R, type “control panel” in the dialogue box, and press Enter.
7. Next. select Network and sharing center and click on Change adapter settings present at the left side of the screen.
8. Right-click on your Ethernet hardware and select Disable. 

   

9. After disabling give it a couple of seconds, then right-click it again and press Enable.

If the error is still not fixed yet, move to the next method below.

4. Verify all connected cables

If you have completed all of the steps mentioned above, you should check to confirm that all cables are properly plugged in not only to your PC but also at all router/switch locations. There have been reports from users who said the cables were not connected correctly.

Note: You should hear a ‘click’ sound on your device when you plug an Ethernet cable in. If the device starts blinking, it means the cable is plugged incorrectly. This is not only limited to the cable set-up in your home but also the main cable connecting your home to the internet (usually installed by the ISP).

Another diagnostic that you can do is to check if there is something wrong with your computer is see if other devices are unable to connect to the internet as well.

Once you’ve made sure that all your cables are in order, move down to the next method below.

5. Disable IPV6

If you’re only having this problem with specific older games or applications, it’s probably because they aren’t designed to work with the new IPv6 protocol. If there’s no way to update them, the only solution is to disable IPv6 in order to force them to use IPv4.

In case you are not reliant on IPv6, you should consider effectively disabling IPV6 temporarily and see if this ends up resolving the “Ethernet Doesn’t Have a Valid IP Configuration” error.

Follow the instructions below for specific instructions on how to do this:

1. To disable IPv6, press Windows key + R to open a Run dialog box.
2. Then, type ‘ncpa.cpl’ into the text box and press Enter to access the Network Connections menu.

   

3. In the Network Connections menu, right-click on the network adapter you’re using and click Properties from the context menu that appears.

   

   Note: When prompted by UAC (User Account Control), click Yes to grant admin access.

4. In the Properties screen of your Network adapter, go to the Networking tab.
5. Next, scroll down through the list of items and uncheck the box next to Internet Protocol Version 6 (TCP / IPv6).

   

6.  Click Ok to save your changes, then restart your computer and see if the same kind of issue is still occurring.

In case the Windows Diagnostics returns the same error and you’re still unable to utilize your Internet connection in a reliable matter, move down to the next method below. 

6. Disable Microsoft Kernel Debug Network Adapter

If you have previously installed a custom network adapter, it is possible that the two adapters will interfere with each other and cause this type of error. If the secondary network adapter is Microsoft Kernel Debug Network Adapter, you will need to disable it in order to prevent any conflicts.

In some cases, the Microsoft Kernel Debug Network Adapter manifests itself on your computer and prevents the default drivers from working properly.

If this scenario is applicable, follow the instructions below to effectively disable the Microsoft Kernel Debug Network Adapter:

1. Press Windows key + R to open up a run dialog box.
2. Next, type ‘devmgmt.msc’ inside the text box, then press Ctrl + Shift + Enter to open up Device Manager with admin access. 

   

3.  At the User Account Control, click Yes to grant admin access. 
4. When the device manager opens, select the “View” option and check the “Show Hidden Devices” option.

   

5. Right-click on the “Microsoft Kernel Debug Network Adapter” and select the “Disable” option.

   

6. At the confirmation prompt, click Yes, then reboot your computer and see if the problem is fixed at the next startup. 

If you’re still experiencing the same “Ethernet Doesn’t Have a Valid IP Configuration” error despite disabling the Kernel Debug Network Adapter, move down to the next method below.

7. Configure a MAC Address for Your Network Card

If you’re using a dedicated network card, you might need to change the MAC address to avoid network errors like “Ethernet Doesn’t Have a Valid IP Configuration.”

In order to establish a connection with the internet router, the MAC Address needs to be assigned to the network card. If the MAC Address isn’t entered properly or is missing completely, it could prevent the device from connecting via ethernet. Consequently, this step will involve manually assigning a MAC Address to the network card.

If this method looks like it could be applicable, follow the instructions below to find out your physical address, then access it in order to re-configure the current network connection so that it’s used as the main MAC address by your router.

Here’s what you need to do:

1. Press the Windows key + R keys at the same time in order to open up a Run dialog box. 
2. Inside the Run box, type ‘cmd’ inside the text box, then press Ctrl + Shift + Enter to open up an elevated Command Prompt. 

   

3. At the User Account Control (UAC), click Yes to grant admin access. 
4. Once you’re inside the elevated Command Prompt, type the following command and press Enter to get an overview of your current network configuration:

   ipconfig/all

5. From the list of results, take note of the Physical Address of the Ethernet Adapter that is currently active. 

   

6. After you manage to note down the physical address of your network adapter, right-click on the network icon from the system tray, then click on Open Network and Internet option from the context menu that just appeared. 

   

7. Once you’re inside the next menu, click on the “Network and Sharing Centre” option and then select the “Change Adapter Settings” button.

   

8. Next, right-click on the network connection that you are using and click on the “properties” option.

   

9. Once you’re inside the Properties screen, select the Networking tab, then click on the Configure button *(under the name of your network adapter). 

   

10. From the next screen, click on the “Network Address” option from the list and check the “Value” option.
11. Use the physical address that you noted down at step 5 here and hit Ok to save the changes. 
12. Reboot both your PC and your router and see if the problem is now fixed.

In case you’re still dealing with the same “Ethernet Doesn’t Have a Valid IP Configuration” error, move down to the next method below. 

8. Enable DHCP

If DHCP is not enabled, your computer will have difficulty assigning the correct network configuration settings. However, you can enable it by reconfiguring the status of the DHCP Client inside the Services screen.

Enabling DHCP will automatically detect and assign the network configuration settings on your computer. If it is disabled, the network configurations might not be applied properly, which can trigger the error. In what follows, we will be enabling DHCP on your computer.

To do this, follow the instructions below:

1. Press the “Windows” + “R” keys simultaneously to open up the RUN prompt.
2. Next, type ‘services.msc’ inside the text box and hit Ctrl + Shift + Enter to open up the services screen with admin access. 

   

3. At the User Account Control (UAC), click Yes to grant admin access. 
4. Once you’re inside the Services window, move over to the right-hand side of the screen and double-click on DHCP Client. 
   

   

5. Once you’re inside the Properties screen of DHCP client, access the General tab, then change the Startup type to Automatic before clicking on Apply to save the changes. 

   

6. Next, click on Start to launch the DHCP client if it’s currently disabled. If it’s already enabled, right-click on the DHCP Client listing and choose Restart Service from the context menu that just appeared. 
7. Repeat the action that was previously causing the “Ethernet Doesn’t Have a Valid IP Configuration” error and see if the problem is now fixed. 

If the error is still not fixed, move down to the next method below. 

9. Disable Every Custom Power Management Customization

Special power-saving features on some computers disable certain functions to conserve energy. If the power-saving feature for the network adapter is enabled, it may prevent the network adapter from functioning properly. Therefore, in this step, we will disable the Power Saving feature on the Network Adapter.

Keep in mind that depending on your configuration, both Windows 11 and Windows 10 have certain power-saving features that might conflict with certain network protocols. If you aren’t relying on these power-saving features, a possible solution would be to disable them entirely. Additionally, if you’re using a laptop, make sure that you’re always using the Maximum Performance power plan during resource-intensive tasks.

Follow the instructions below to effectively disable every custom power management customization plan:

1. Start by right-clicking on the network icon in your system tray (bottom-left corner of the screen). 
2. Next, from the context menu that just appeared, click on Open Network and Internet Settings. 
   

   

3. Once you’re inside the Network & Internet settings, scroll down to the bottom of the screen and click on Network and Sharing Center. 

   

4. Next, right-click on your internet connection and click on Disable from the context menu that just appeared. 
   Note: This step is required in order to be able to do the modifications below. 
5. After the network connection is disabled, right-click on your active internet connection and click on the Properties menu. 

   

6. Once you’re inside the Properties screen, go to the Networking tab and click on the Configure button (under your active network driver). 

   

7. From the next menu, click on the Power Management tab, then scroll down to the bottom of the screen and uncheck the box associated with Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power. 
   

   

8. Next, click on Ok to apply the changes. 
9. Once this modification has been operated, return to the Network and Sharing Center screen, right-click on your network again and click on Enable. 
10. Repeat the action that was causing the same kind of issue and see if the problem is now fixed.

In case the same “Ethernet Doesn’t Have a Valid IP Configuration.” error is still occurring, move down to the next method below. 

10. Renew Your IP Configurations

If none of the methods above have proven to be effective in your case, you should take a close look at your current iP configuration.

Several affected users that were dealing with the same kind of issue have confirmed that they managed to get the issue resolved by opening an elevated Command Prompt and running a series of commands that will flush the current IP config.

For step by step instructions on how to do this, follow the guide below:

1. Start by pressing the Windows key + R to open up a Run dialog box. Next, type ‘cmd’ and press Ctrl + Shift + Enter to open up an elevated Command Prompt. 

   

2. At the User Account Control, click Yes to grant admin access. 
3. Once you’re inside the elevated Command Prompt, type the following commands in order and press Enter after each one to effectively reset the current IP configuration:

   IPconfig /release
   IPconfig /flushdns
   IPconfig /renew

4. Close the elevated Command Prompt and repeat the action that was previously causing the ‘Ethernet Doesn’t Have a Valid IP Configuration’ error.

If the method is still not fixed, move down to the next method below. 

11. Disable 3rd party antivirus

Keep in mind that some 3rd party Antivirus suites can interfere with the process of retrieving network data. To make sure this isn’t the main cause of the error, try disabling your AV temporarily and see if the error code stops occurring.

If there’s a Third-Party Antivirus on your system, it’s recommended to turn it off temporarily to check if the issue persists. If the issue goes away after disabling the Antivirus, it means that the Antivirus was blocking the computer from connecting to the internet.

If this scenario is applicable and you’re using a 3rd party security suite that you suspect might be responsible for the issue, you should be able to resolve it either by disabling real-time protection or by uninstalling the suite altogether.

To disable real-time protection, open the 3rd party AV software and look for the option in the settings menu.

Once you disable real-time protection, start using your computer normally and see if the issue is still occurring. If that’s the case, try uninstalling the security program and removing any remnant files from your system to make sure the external security suite is not causing the BSODs.

If you decide to go for a complete AV uninstall, follow this article to uninstall the 3rd party suite and ensure that you’re not leaving behind any remnant files.

If this method was not applicable or it didn’t resolve your problem, move down to the next method below. 

12. Deploy a CHKDSK Scan

This problem is often caused by corruption in system files and dependencies used when retrieving network data. To rule this out, try running a CHKDSK scan from an elevated CMD prompt.

Fortunately, Windows’ built-in CHKDSK utility can scan for errors and corruptions, and repair any logical errors and corrupted data left behind by a forceful deletion attempt.

To give CHKDSK the permissions it needs to repair bad files, open it in an elevated CMD window. Follow this article for instructions on how to start a CHKDSK scan & repair process.

Note: The instructions should work regardless of which Windows version you’re encountering the issue on.

If the same “Ethernet Doesn’t Have a Valid IP Configuration” error is still occurring despite deploying a CHKDSK scan, move down to the next method below. 

13. Install the Network Driver in Compatibility Mode

One potential reason you may be experiencing this issue is that the driver you’re trying to install (or have already installed) is not fully compatible with your operating system or other hardware on your computer.

Note: This scenario is actually quite common, which is why Windows has a Compatibility mode feature.

Essentially, compatibility mode allows you to run certain programs in accordance with the architecture of older Windows Operating systems, which can sometimes get drivers working on your computer.

Therefore, in the instructions below, we’ll show you how to install all the needed network drivers in compatibility mode:

1. Navigate to your manufacturer’s website and download the Ethernet Driver’s setup file for your computer. 
   Note: This is highly dependent on your motherboard and whether or not you’re using a dedicated network card. 
2. Press the “Windows” + “R’ keys to open the Run prompt and type in “devmgmt.msc” and then press “Enter” to launch the Device Manager.
   

   

3. In the device management window, expand the “Network Adapters” option and then right-click on the driver that your computer is currently using.
4. Click on the “Uninstall Device” button and then a new window should pop up on your screen asking you to confirm your actions.

   

5. Confirm that you want to delete the driver and follow through with the on-screen instructions to completely remove it from your computer.
6. Go to the location where you had saved your downloaded setup files of the drivers and right-click, then select “Properties”.
7. Select the Compatibility tab and place a checkmark next to “Run this program in Compatibility mode” and select an older version of the operating system.
8. Follow the on-screen instructions to install the driver in compatibility mode.

If the same “Ethernet Doesn’t Have a Valid IP Configuration” error is still occurring, move down to the next method below. 

14. Switch to the Maximum Performance Power Plan

Sometimes the wireless adapter in your computer isn’t very good and you might see an error message pop up on your screen when you try to connect to an ethernet connection.

In some cases, the power management window on your computer is set up to prevent high power usage hardware from working when the computer is idle.

Note: This feature doesn’t always work perfectly because there have been a lot of times when the feature doesn’t work correctly and it stops you from being able to use the ethernet connection at all. So, in this step, we’re going to turn it off completely from the Control Panel.

What you need to know is that both Windows 11 and Windows 10 have energy-saving features that might get in the way of some network protocols. If you don’t need those power-saving features, the best thing to do would be to turn them off. Also, if you’re using a laptop, make sure you’re always on the Maximum Performance power plan when you’re doing resource-intensive tasks.

Here’s what you need to do:

1. Start by pressing Windows key + R to open up a Run dialog box. 
2. Next, type ‘control panel’ inside the text box, then press Enter to open up the classic Control Panel interface. 

   

3. In the control panel, click on the “View By:” option and select the “Large Icons” from the list.

   

4. After selecting large icons, click on the “Power Options” button to open the power management screen.
5. Click on the “Change Plan Settings” option under the power plan that you have currently selected.
6. On the next screen, select the “Change advanced power settings” options.

   

7. In the advanced power management window, double-click on the “Wireless Adapter Settings” option to expand it, and then double-click on the “Power Saving Mode” dropdown.
8. Select the “Maximum Performance” option from the list of available options.
9. Click on “Apply” to save your changes and then on “Ok” to exit out of the Window.
10. Restart your PC and see if the error is now fixed.

In case you’re still experiencing the same “Ethernet Doesn’t Have a Valid IP Configuration” error despite following the instructions above to edit your current plan settings, move down to the next method below. 

15. Disable the Virtual Ethernet Devices

If you have used VirtualBox or VM Ware in the past, you might have virtual Ethernet Devices (VEDs) left on your computer that can interfere with your current network and cause this problem. To fix this, simply disable any conflicting VEDs.

Note: A virtual Ethernet driver could be anything from a VPN to software designed to improve ping or packet loss.

If this scenario looks like it could be applicable, follow the instructions below to disable any potentially interfering virtual Ethernet Device:

1. Start by pressing Windows key + R to open up a Run dialog box. 
2. Next, type ‘ncpa.cpl’ inside the text box, then press Enter to open up the Network Configuration panel. 

   

3. In the network configuration, right-click on any entry that seems to belong to VED software.
4. Select the “Disable” option to disable the virtual network connection.
5. Once every VED software was disabled, restart your PC and see if the “Ethernet Doesn’t Have a Valid IP Configuration” error is now fixed.

In case the same kind of issue is still occurring, move down to the next method below. 

16. Optimize your Network Power Usage

The network adapter permits the device to interface over the local area network (LAN), connecting to the internet or other computers. The adapter obviously requires power from the PSU to operate and connect to the network accurately.

Nevertheless, in some instances, if you have set the power output to the maximum value, you might encounter disconnectivity issues or ethernet errors where you are unable to function properly with your network adapter.

As some affected users have confirmed, you can address this potentials scenario by decreasing the allowed power usage of your network device:

1. Press the “Windows” + “R’ keys to open the Run prompt and type in “devmgmt.msc” and then press “Enter” to launch the Device Manager.
   

   

2. Once you’re inside the Device Manager, double-click on the Network Adapters panel to expand it, then right-click on the Network adapter that is currently active.
3. From the context menu that just appeared, click on Properties. 
4. Make your way to the Advanced tab, then look for the Power Output property and change it’s value to 75% if it’s set to 100%. 
5. Restart your PC in order to enforce the changes and see if the problem is now fixed.

In case the same kind of issue is still occurring or this method was not applicable, move down to the next method below. 

17. Allow Ethernet Adapter through BIOS

If your computer is using an old BIOS, there’s also a possibility that the network adapter is disabled in your BIOS settings. In this case, you need to go into your BIOS settings and enable connections through the Ethernet Adapter.

Note: You can check to see if this method was successful by pinging the loopback address via InterNIC.

By default, the Ethernet adapter should already be enabled on your computer. If the Windows operating system is reporting that your Ethernet is not working then you can try re-enabling the adapter from within your computer’s BIOS.

Here’s what you need to do:

1. Make sure to completely shut down your computer and turn it back on after a while.
2. While the computer is being started, press the BIOS setup key when prompted to do so at the initial startup screen.

   

3. Press the indicated key quickly and repeatedly to enter your computer’s BIOS. Once in the BIOS, you can use the arrow keys on your keyboard to navigate through the available options.
4. Find “Integrated Peripherals,” “Onboard Devices,” “On-Chip PCI Devices,” or a similar option and press the “Enter” key to access the menu.

   

   Note: Depending on the type and year of your BIOS, the exact menu text will vary. Generally, you should find something that indicates the settings are related to your onboard integrated peripherals.

5. Find and select “Integrated LAN,” “Onboard Ethernet,” or a similar option and use the left and right arrow keys to cycle through the available options. In most cases, these are either “Enabled” or “Disabled.”
6. From these options, make sure the ethernet adapter is enabled.
7. Save the changes manually or by pressing F10, then Y, then reboot your PC and see if the problem is now resolved. 

If this method was not applicable or it didn’t do anything for you, move down to the next method below. 

18. Uninstall the latest Windows Update

If this problem cropped up after you installed a pending Windows update, it’s worth investigating whether there might be a bad Windows Update affecting your internet connection. If that turns out to be the case, simply uninstalling the latest installed Windows Update should take care of the issue.

It turns out that you might start receiving the “Ethernet Doesn’t Have a Valid IP Configuration” error in situations where your system recently installed a Windows 11 feature update that ends up conflicting with a network dependency.

Several users who dealt with this issue themselves have reported that they managed to fix the problem by uninstalling the latest feature update and restarting their computer.

Note: Since Microsoft has already released a hotfix for this issue, the next time WU will install this feature update, you shouldn’t experience this problem.

Follow the instructions below to uninstall the Windows feature update that was recently installed:

Important: As an extra step, we also included some instructions that will allow you to hide the update and prevent it from installing in the future.

1. To open the Programs and Features screen, first press the Windows key + R to open a Run dialog box. Inside the text box, type ‘appwiz.cpl’ and press Enter.

   

2. After you’re inside the Programs and Features menu, use the vertical menu on the left to select View installed updates.
3. In the Installed Update screen, find the most recent update and right-click on it. From the context menu, choose Uninstall.

   

4. At the confirmation prompt, click Yes to begin uninstalling the update. Wait for uninstall process to finish.
5. After the update is uninstalled, don’t restart your computer yet. Instead, visit the official download page of Microsoft Show or Hide troubleshooter.
6. The download of the utility we are now going to use should start automatically. After it finishes, open up .diagcab file and click Advanced at the first prompt.
7. Then, check the box next to Apply Repairs Automatically before clicking on Next.
   

   

8. The utility will scan your system to figure out which pending updates are not installed. Once the next screen appears, click Hide Updates from the list of options.
9. On the following screen, check the box next to the update you’re targeting and click Next to hide it – this will stop Windows Update from installing the update again in future attempts.
10. Finally, reboot your PC one final time and see if the problem is now addressed. 

If the same kind of issue is still ongoing, move down to the next method below. 

19. Enable QoS from Router Settings

QoS (Quality of Service) can be used to prioritize specific devices and ensure that they have access to the network bandwidth they need. If this feature is turned off, you may start seeing the “Ethernet Doesn’t Have a Valid IP Configuration” error message.

Note: The QoS feature is used to set up priority for specific devices, services, or applications within the network through the router.

A couple of users reported that the issue was resolved after enabling QoS on their router. You can do this by opening your router’s configuration page and enabling QoS.

Keep in mind that QoS is an advanced feature, so it might require some configuration before you can properly use it. Additionally, this feature might not be available on your router. For more information, consult your router’s instruction manual. 

Here’s how to enable QoS if your router supports it:

1. To access your router settings, you will need a PC or Mac that is connected to the network maintained by your router. In the navigation bar, type in one of the following addresses and press Enter:

   192.168.0.1
   
   192.168.1.1

2. At the login screen, enter your login credentials in order to sign in.

   

   Note: If this is your first time accessing this menu, you should be able to sign in with the default credentials (admin as user and 1234 as password).

3. Go to Advanced settings, then select QoS. Once you have found the option, make sure to uncheck the box to disable it.

   

   Note: The menu might vary depending on your router manufacturer, but the instructions should be helpful in any case. If you don’t manage to find the setting, search online for specific steps for your router model.

If this method was not applicable or you’re looking for a different approach, move down to the next method below.

20. Enable the AutoConfig Service

While the AutoConfig service is not strictly necessary for acquiring network data, it can be disabled by some 3rd party apps in order to free up available system resources. You can check if this is the case by forcing the service to re-enable from an elevated Command Prompt.

Configuring your Ethernet connection requires this service to be enabled. Disabling it can cause problems with your network adapter. To enable the service and make sure everything is working properly, follow the steps below:

1. Press Windows key + R to open up a Run dialog box.
2. Next, type ‘cmd’ inside the text box, then press Ctrl + Shift + Enter to open up an elevated Command Prompt. 

   

3. At the User Account Control, click Yes to grant admin access. 
4. Next, type the following command and press enter to enable the Ethernet Autoconfig service:

   sc config dot3svc start= demand

5. Reboot your PC and see if the error is now resolved.

If the same “Ethernet Doesn’t Have a Valid IP Configuration” error is still occurring, move down to the next method below. 

21. Reinstall Network-related dependencies via Net Config

If you’ve come this far without a viable fix, the network configurations might be corrupted, which is causing the ethernet to stop working. To fix this, you can use a Command in Commands Prompt to Reset the Network Configurations and Reinstall the network drivers.

Follow the instructions below for specific instructions on how to do this:

1. Press Windows key + R to open up a Run dialog box.
2. Next, type ‘cmd’ inside the text box, then press Ctrl + Shift + Enter to open up an elevated Command Prompt. 

   

3. At the User Account Control, click Yes to grant admin access. 
4. Once the Command Prompt window is open, type the following command then press enter:

   netcfg -d

5. Once the command is executed successfully, restart your computer and see if the error is now fixed.