How to Fix the “Ethernet Doesn’t Have a Valid IP Configuration” Error on Window 10

The “Ethernet doesn’t have a valid IP configuration” error is probably one of the most frustrating computer issues as it prevents you from connecting to the Internet. Do not throw the computer out the window. This error can be troubleshot easily with a little patience and spare time. We have prepared a detailed guide that will get you back online in no time.

What is IP, and why does your device need a valid IP configuration?

Having an IP is essential for network communication as machines, be them computers, phones, or tablets, use IPs the same way humans use addresses – to direct information to the appropriate recipients. You can also view the IP address as the identity of your device. Without a valid IP, your machine cannot register into a network as it would appear nonexistent. 

When your device connects to a router, it will automatically get assigned an IP by the router’s DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol), a network protocol system tasked to provide your device with an identity for the local network. The “Ethernet doesn’t have a valid IP configuration” error indicates that your router’s DHCP failed to assign you a valid IP address, and hence, you cannot register to the local network and consecutively cannot connect to the Internet. 

What causes the “Ethernet doesn’t have a valid IP configuration” error. 

The “Ethernet doesn’t have a valid IP configuration” error could be caused by a number of issues, including router misconfiguration, damaged hardware, and temporary bugs. Software incompatibilities and faulty or outdated network adapter drivers could also trigger this error. 

Unfortunately, as the “Ethernet doesn’t have a valid IP configuration” message doesn’t provide details about the problem, you will have to work in the dark, configuring settings and reinstalling drivers until you discover the cause of the error and fix it. 

Restart your computer and router

The most basic solutions are usually the best solutions. Restart your devices because temporary bugs, which will be fixed upon reboot, could be causing the “Ethernet doesn’t have a valid IP configuration” error.

1. Save all unfinished work and restart your computer.
2. Additionally, unplug your router/modem’s power cable for a few minutes and plug it back in.
3. Check if the “Ethernet doesn’t have a valid IP configuration” error is fixed. 

Clear the Network Cache

The network cache is a place where Windows stores IP addresses and other bits of data, which your computer might or might not need in the future. Although files in this directory get deleted periodically, the network cache is known to often overflow with unnecessary data, the sheer volume of which could cause your computer to malfunction in weird ways. The solution is simple, declutter the system’s junk files so that your computer has more space to operate normally. 

1. Open the Start menu and type “command prompt”.
2. Right-click on the Command Prompt app and select “Run as administrator” from the context menu.
3. In the Command Prompt window, type the following commands one by one, waiting for each to be completed before you type the next one: 

ipconfig /release

ipconfig /flushdns

ipconfig /renew 

1. When all three commands are executed, restart your computer and check if the “Ethernet doesn’t have a valid IP configuration” error persists. 

Reset TCP/IP

Make sure you are logged on to the computer as an administrator. Otherwise, Windows won’t allow you to perform a TCP/IP reset. 

1. Open the Start menu and type “command prompt”.
2. Right-click on the Command Prompt app and select “Run as administrator” from the context menu.
3. A dialog window will ask if you allow the app to make changes to your device. Click OK. 
4. In the Command Prompt window, type the following commands one by one, allowing each command to execute before you move on to the next. 

netsh winsock reset

netsh int ip reset 

1. Restart Windows to apply the changes. Check if the “Ethernet doesn’t have a valid IP configuration” error is fixed. 

Manually Configure TCP/IP Settings

1. Open the Start menu and type “run” (without the quotation symbols), and select the Run app.
2. In the Run window, type “ncpa.cpl” (without the quotation symbols) and press Enter on your keyboard. 
3. In the Network Connections window, right-click on your Ethernet connection, and select “Properties” from the context menu. 
4. In the Ethernet Properties window, select “Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)” and click on the “Properties” button.
5. In the Properties window, under the General tab, switch to the “Obtain an IP address automatically” and “Obtain DNS server address automatically” options.
6. If your machine is configured to obtain IP and DNS addresses automatically, switch to an alternative.
7. Use the following parameters or choose your own.
8. Under the “Use the following IP address:” option enter:

• IP address: 192.168.1.145
• Subnet mask: 255.255.255.0
• Default gateway: 192.168.1.1

1. Under the “use the following DNS server address:” option, enter Google’s Public DNS service address:

• Preferred DNS server: 8.8.8.8
• Alternate DNS server: 8.8.4.4

Reinstall your Network adapter driver

1. Go to the Start menu, type “device manager” and select the Device Manager.
2. In the Device Manager window, click the horizontal arrow in front of Network adapters.
3. Under Network Adapters, right-click on your network device and select “Uninstall device” from the drop-down menu.
4. A pop-up window will ask you to confirm that you wish to uninstall the device. Click OK. 
5. Restart your computer.
6. Upon boot up, windows will scan the system for driverless devices and install the missing drivers.
7. If you wish to check whether Windows installed the driver, open the Device Manager, expand the list of Network adapters and check if your device is listed. 
8. If your network adapter is not listed under Network adapters after Windows restart, right-click on Network adapters and select “Scan for hardware changes” from the drop-down menu.

Temporarily Disable Your Anti-Virus Software

Software incompatibilities often interfere with various system operations, including the network connection. The most commonly interfering apps are the anti-virus utilities, which are designed to meddle with every component of your OS because viruses could hide anywhere. 

Unfortunately, due to how antivirus software operates, they could cause windows to malfunction. Temporarily disable your antivirus and check if the “Ethernet doesn’t have a valid IP configuration” error persists. If the issue is resolved, you are dealing with software incompatibility. Try updating windows and your anti-virus app because their latest version could include fixes for this problem. If no update is available, switch to an alternative anti-virus app that doesn’t interfere with your internet connection.