If Ethernet is not working on Windows 11, the problem may be with the cable, router port, Ethernet adapter, IP configuration, network driver, or your internet connection itself.
The most important first step is to identify what Windows is actually doing. An Ethernet connection that shows Connected but No Internet is different from an Ethernet adapter that has disappeared completely or a Windows message saying the network cable is unplugged.
Quick answer: Reseat the Ethernet cable at both ends, try another router LAN port and another known-good Ethernet cable, then restart the PC and router. Open Settings > Network & internet and check the Ethernet status. If Wi-Fi works on the same PC but Ethernet does not, focus on the Ethernet adapter, cable and driver. Run Microsoft's Network and Internet troubleshooter, install Windows updates, and check the Ethernet adapter in Device Manager. Use Network reset only after the simpler fixes fail.
First: Identify the Ethernet Problem
Match your symptom before changing Windows settings.
| Ethernet Problem | Check First |
|---|---|
| Ethernet connected but no internet | Other devices, router, ISP, IP configuration |
| Ethernet option missing | Device Manager, adapter driver, hardware |
| Network cable unplugged | Cable, LAN port, Ethernet port |
| Unidentified network | DHCP, IP address, router, TCP/IP |
| Wi-Fi works but Ethernet does not | Cable, Ethernet adapter and driver |
| Ethernet stopped after Windows Update | New driver, reinstall or rollback |
| USB Ethernet adapter is not detected | USB port, adapter driver and adapter hardware |
| Ethernet works but is very slow | Cable, negotiated link speed, router port, driver |
A good diagnosis prevents you from resetting Windows networking when the real problem is simply a damaged Ethernet cable.
Check the Ethernet Cable
Start with the physical connection.
Disconnect and reconnect the Ethernet cable at both ends:
- The Windows PC or USB Ethernet adapter
- The router, switch or wall network jack
Push the connector in until it is fully seated.
Microsoft specifically recommends confirming that the Ethernet cable is securely connected at both the PC and router.
If you have another known-good Ethernet cable available, replace the current cable temporarily.
If the second cable works immediately, the original cable may be damaged.
See Microsoft's official Ethernet troubleshooting guide.
Look for link lights
Many Ethernet ports have small link/activity lights.
If neither the computer nor router shows any link activity after connecting a known-good cable, investigate:
- The cable
- The router LAN port
- The PC Ethernet port
- The USB-to-Ethernet adapter
Not every device has visible link lights, so their absence alone does not prove hardware failure.
Try Another Router LAN Port
A router usually has several LAN Ethernet ports.
Move the cable to another available LAN port and test again.
Make sure you are not accidentally connecting the PC to the router's dedicated Internet/WAN port.
Microsoft specifically notes that the computer's Ethernet cable should connect to an appropriate Ethernet/LAN port rather than the Internet port used between the router and modem.
If one router port works and another does not
The problem is likely associated with that particular router or switch port rather than Windows.
Keep using the working port and investigate the network hardware separately.
Restart the PC, Router and Modem
Restart the Windows 11 PC first:
Start > Power > Restart
If Ethernet still does not work and the problem may involve your network, restart the network equipment.
If you have a separate modem and router:
- Unplug the router.
- Unplug the modem.
- Wait about 30 seconds.
- Reconnect the modem.
- Wait for its connection to stabilize.
- Reconnect the router.
- Wait for the network to come back online.
- Test Ethernet again.
Microsoft currently recommends restarting the modem and router as part of Ethernet troubleshooting.
Do not press the physical Reset button just to restart the router. That may erase the router's configuration.
Check Ethernet Status in Windows 11
Open:
Settings > Network & internet
Check the connection status shown near the top.
If Ethernet is detected, select:
Ethernet
Windows may show information such as:
- Connected
- No Internet
- Action needed
- Network profile
- IP assignment
- DNS settings
- IPv4 address
Microsoft's current Ethernet support page specifically recommends checking the Ethernet connection status under Network & internet settings.
Test Wi-Fi on the Same PC
If your router also provides Wi-Fi, connect the Windows PC wirelessly for comparison.
Wi-Fi works but Ethernet does not
This is useful evidence.
It means:
- Your ISP connection is probably working.
- The router can reach the internet.
- The problem is more specifically related to Ethernet.
Focus on:
- Ethernet cable
- LAN port
- Ethernet adapter
- Ethernet driver
- IP configuration
Microsoft specifically recommends using Wi-Fi as a comparison when Ethernet is not working.
Neither Wi-Fi nor Ethernet works
The problem may be broader than the Ethernet adapter.
Check the router and ISP first.
If the router itself is connected but no devices can access the internet, see our router connected but no internet guide.
Test the Network on Another Device
If possible, connect another computer using Ethernet.
You can also use a USB-to-Ethernet adapter if the second computer does not have a built-in Ethernet port.
If the second PC works
The problem is more likely specific to the original Windows PC.
If neither PC works
Focus on:
- The Ethernet cable
- The router or switch
- The USB Ethernet adapter if one is shared
- The ISP connection
Microsoft recommends this comparison specifically to help determine whether the problem follows the PC or the network.
Run the Network and Internet Troubleshooter
For Windows 11, Microsoft currently recommends starting with the automated Network and Internet troubleshooter in the Get Help app.
Open Start and search for:
Get Help
Then search for network troubleshooting and follow the automated diagnostics.
The troubleshooter can detect common network adapter and connection problems without requiring manual Registry or driver changes.
See Microsoft's current Ethernet support instructions.
Check the Ethernet Adapter in Device Manager
Right-click Start and open:
Device Manager
Expand:
Network adapters
Look for your wired Ethernet adapter.
Its name may include terms such as:
- Ethernet
- Gigabit
- 2.5GbE
- PCIe
- LAN
- The network-chip manufacturer's name
Do not uninstall every network adapter you see. Windows may also list:
- Wi-Fi adapters
- Bluetooth network devices
- VPN adapters
- Virtual adapters
- Hyper-V networking
Check Device status
Open the Ethernet adapter's Properties and check:
General > Device status
If Windows reports an error code, record the exact code before changing drivers.
Make Sure the Ethernet Adapter Is Enabled
If the Ethernet adapter appears in Device Manager but has been disabled, right-click it.
If you see:
Enable device
select it.
Then return to:
Settings > Network & internet
and check Ethernet again.
Update the Ethernet Driver
If the adapter is present but does not work correctly, check for an updated driver.
First use Windows Update.
You can also try Device Manager:
- Open Network adapters.
- Right-click the confirmed Ethernet adapter.
- Select Update driver.
- Select Search automatically for drivers.
If Windows reports that the best driver is already installed, check the official support site for your exact PC, motherboard or Ethernet adapter.
Avoid third-party driver updater utilities.
Reinstall the Ethernet Driver
If earlier troubleshooting does not work, Microsoft recommends reinstalling the Ethernet network adapter driver.
Before uninstalling the driver, download a backup copy if possible.
This is especially important if Ethernet is your only internet connection.
If necessary, download the correct driver on another device and copy it to a USB drive.
Then:
- Open Device Manager.
- Expand Network adapters.
- Right-click the confirmed Ethernet adapter.
- Select Uninstall device.
- Follow the uninstall prompts.
- Restart Windows.
Windows should attempt to reinstall the network adapter automatically after restart.
If it does not, install the backup driver from the manufacturer's official website.
Microsoft specifically advises having a replacement driver available before uninstalling the Ethernet adapter.
Roll Back the Ethernet Driver
If Ethernet stopped working immediately after a driver update, try restoring the previous driver when available.
Open:
Device Manager > Network adapters > Ethernet adapter > Properties > Driver
If Roll Back Driver is available:
- Select it.
- Follow the prompts.
- Restart the PC.
- Test Ethernet again.
If the button is unavailable, Windows does not currently have a previous driver package stored for that device.
Check for a newer manufacturer driver before uninstalling Windows updates.
Install Windows Updates
Open:
Settings > Windows Update
Select:
Check for updates
Install appropriate updates and restart.
Also check:
Settings > Windows Update > Advanced options > Optional updates
for applicable network drivers.
If you use a laptop or prebuilt desktop, the manufacturer may also provide:
- Ethernet drivers
- Chipset drivers
- USB controller drivers
- BIOS or firmware updates
Use updates intended for your exact model.
Reset TCP/IP, Renew IP and Flush DNS
If Windows detects Ethernet but cannot obtain a working internet connection, Microsoft recommends several network commands before using the full Network reset feature.
Search Windows for:
Command Prompt
Select:
Run as administrator
Run these commands in this order:
netsh winsock reset
netsh int ip reset
ipconfig /release
ipconfig /renew
ipconfig /flushdnsRestart Windows afterward.
These commands respectively reset Winsock and TCP/IP components, release and request an IP configuration, and clear the DNS resolver cache.
Microsoft currently lists this same command sequence in its Ethernet troubleshooting guidance.
Make Sure IP Assignment Uses DHCP
Most home networks should use automatic IP assignment.
Open:
Settings > Network & internet > Ethernet
Find:
IP assignment
For a normal home network, this should generally use:
Automatic (DHCP)
Microsoft currently recommends DHCP because the router automatically assigns the IP address, gateway and related network settings.
See Microsoft's Windows network settings guide.
Do not randomly enter a static IP
Do not copy an address such as:
192.168.1.100
from another tutorial unless you know your network configuration.
A random static address can cause:
- IP conflicts
- Wrong subnet settings
- Incorrect gateway
- No internet access
Manual IP configuration is appropriate when your network administrator or router configuration requires a specific address.
Fix Unidentified Network on Ethernet
If Windows shows Unidentified network, it often means the PC has established some form of Ethernet link but does not have a normal usable network configuration.
Check these in order:
- Restart the router and PC.
- Try another Ethernet cable.
- Check Ethernet IP assignment.
- Use Automatic DHCP on normal home networks.
- Run the Network troubleshooter.
- Run the Microsoft TCP/IP network commands above.
- Update or reinstall the Ethernet driver.
Check the current IPv4 address
Open:
Settings > Network & internet > Ethernet
Look for the IPv4 address.
Microsoft documents the IPv4 address in the Ethernet network properties screen.
If Windows cannot obtain a valid configuration from your router, renewing the address or checking DHCP can help.
Do not manually assign a random address just because Windows says Unidentified network.
Ethernet Connected but No Internet
If Ethernet shows connected but Windows cannot reach the internet, determine whether the problem affects the PC or the entire network.
Every device has no internet
The likely areas are:
- Router
- Modem
- ISP
- Network outage
Use our router connected but no internet troubleshooting guide.
Only this Windows PC has no internet
Focus on:
- Ethernet adapter
- IP assignment
- VPN
- TCP/IP configuration
- Driver problems
If the internet works but is just much slower than expected, see our slow internet troubleshooting guide for broader router, ISP and bandwidth diagnosis.
Fix Network Cable Unplugged
If Windows says the network cable is unplugged even though a cable is connected, start with hardware.
Try:
- Disconnecting and reconnecting both ends.
- Using another known-good Ethernet cable.
- Trying another router LAN port.
- Restarting the PC.
- Checking whether the Ethernet adapter appears in Device Manager.
If a known-good cable and router port still produce no Ethernet link, investigate the computer's Ethernet port or network adapter.
Changing DNS or flushing the DNS cache will not fix a physical Ethernet link that Windows cannot detect.
USB-to-Ethernet Adapter Not Working
Many thin laptops do not have a built-in Ethernet port and instead use USB-to-Ethernet adapters or docking stations.
If yours is not working:
- Disconnect the adapter.
- Reconnect it firmly.
- Try another compatible USB port.
- Avoid a USB hub temporarily.
- Test another Ethernet cable.
- Check Device Manager.
- Install the manufacturer's driver if required.
Microsoft specifically notes USB-to-Ethernet adapters as an option for PCs without built-in Ethernet.
Test the adapter on another computer
If possible, connect the USB Ethernet adapter to another compatible PC.
If it fails there as well, the adapter or cable becomes more likely to be the problem.
If it works normally elsewhere, focus on USB drivers, Windows networking or the original PC.
Temporarily Test Without a VPN
If Ethernet shows Connected but internet traffic fails, temporarily disconnect a VPN and test again.
A VPN can interfere with network routing even when the physical Ethernet connection itself is working correctly.
If internet access immediately returns, troubleshoot the VPN instead of replacing the Ethernet cable or network adapter.
Do not remove mandatory corporate VPN or security software from a managed PC without administrator approval.
Ethernet Works but Is Slow
If Ethernet works but speed is much lower than expected, first determine whether the problem is Ethernet-specific.
Check:
- Another Ethernet cable
- Another router LAN port
- Internet speed on another wired device
- Windows Update
- The Ethernet driver
- Router or switch capabilities
An older or damaged cable or a 100 Mbps network port can limit a connection that you expected to run at gigabit speed.
Do not immediately force the adapter's Speed & Duplex setting to a specific value. Automatic negotiation is appropriate for normal modern networks unless you have a specific compatibility problem and understand both ends of the link.
Use Network Reset as a Last Step
Microsoft explicitly describes Network reset as a last troubleshooting step.
On current Windows 11 systems, search Settings for:
Network reset
It is normally available under the advanced Network & internet settings.
Select:
Reset now
Network reset removes installed network adapters and resets their configuration. Windows reinstalls the adapters after restart with default settings.
Important: You may need to reconfigure:
- VPN software
- Virtual network adapters
- Hyper-V virtual switches
- Other specialized network software
Do not use Network reset as the first response to a loose Ethernet cable.
When the Ethernet Port May Be Faulty
Hardware becomes more likely when:
- A known-good cable does not create a connection.
- Several router LAN ports have been tested.
- The Ethernet adapter remains missing after correct drivers are installed.
- The port was physically damaged.
- Ethernet stopped working after liquid damage.
- The connector feels unusually loose.
- A USB Ethernet adapter works while the built-in Ethernet port does not.
- Manufacturer diagnostics report a network hardware failure.
USB Ethernet can help diagnose the built-in port
If a USB-to-Ethernet adapter works immediately on the same PC and same network cable, the built-in Ethernet adapter or its hardware path becomes a stronger suspect.
This does not prove hardware failure by itself, but it is useful diagnostic evidence.
Ethernet Fixes You Should Avoid
Most wired-network problems do not require aggressive changes.
Avoid blindly:
- Assigning a random static IP address
- Changing DNS before identifying a DNS problem
- Disabling IPv6 as a generic fix
- Changing MTU values randomly
- Forcing Speed & Duplex without a specific reason
- Editing networking Registry entries
- Deleting every network adapter
- Installing third-party driver updater programs
- Factory-resetting the router early
- Using Network reset before testing the cable and adapter
Microsoft recommends DHCP for normal automatic network configuration, so leave IP assignment on Automatic unless your network specifically requires manual settings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Ethernet not working on Windows 11?
Common causes include a loose or damaged cable, bad router LAN port, disabled Ethernet adapter, incorrect IP configuration, damaged network driver, router problem, VPN interference or Ethernet hardware failure.
Why does Wi-Fi work but Ethernet does not?
If Wi-Fi works on the same PC, your router and ISP are probably functioning. Focus on the Ethernet cable, router LAN port, Windows Ethernet adapter and network driver.
Why does Ethernet say Connected but No Internet?
The cable connection may be working while the router has no internet or Windows has an IP, VPN or TCP/IP configuration problem. Test another device on the same network first.
Why is Ethernet missing from Windows 11?
Check Device Manager. The Ethernet adapter may be disabled, missing its driver or not being detected by Windows.
Why does Windows say Network cable unplugged?
The computer is not detecting a physical Ethernet link. Reseat the cable, try another cable and router LAN port, and check the Ethernet adapter in Device Manager.
What does Unidentified network mean on Ethernet?
Windows has detected a network connection but cannot identify or configure it normally. Check DHCP, your IP configuration, router, TCP/IP stack and Ethernet driver.
Should Ethernet use DHCP?
For most home networks, yes. Microsoft recommends Automatic DHCP so the router supplies the IP address and related settings automatically.
Should I enter a static IP to fix Ethernet?
Not unless you know the correct network configuration. Random static addresses can cause IP conflicts or an incorrect gateway.
Should I change DNS to 8.8.8.8?
Only if you have identified a DNS-resolution problem. DNS will not repair a damaged cable, missing Ethernet adapter or bad router port.
How do I reset Ethernet in Windows 11?
Start with the Network troubleshooter and TCP/IP commands. Windows also has Network reset, but Microsoft recommends using it only after the other troubleshooting steps fail.
What commands can fix Ethernet on Windows 11?
Microsoft recommends resetting Winsock and TCP/IP, releasing and renewing the IP address, and flushing DNS with netsh and ipconfig commands when basic troubleshooting does not work.
Should I uninstall the Ethernet driver?
Only after simpler troubleshooting fails. Download a backup driver first, especially if Ethernet is your only way to access the internet.
Why did Ethernet stop working after Windows Update?
A network-driver change may be involved. Check for newer Windows or manufacturer driver updates and consider driver rollback if the issue clearly began after a driver update.
Why does my USB Ethernet adapter not work?
Try another USB port, connect directly instead of through a hub, test another Ethernet cable, check Device Manager and install the adapter manufacturer's correct driver.
Should I disable IPv6?
Not as routine Ethernet troubleshooting. Modern Windows networks support IPv6, and disabling it without evidence can create other networking problems.
Should I change Speed & Duplex?
Normally no. Leave automatic negotiation enabled unless you are diagnosing a known compatibility issue between the Ethernet adapter and network equipment.
How do I know whether my Ethernet port is broken?
Hardware becomes more likely if several known-good cables and router ports fail, correct drivers do not restore the adapter, and a USB Ethernet adapter works normally on the same PC.
Final Thoughts
If Ethernet is not working on Windows 11, start with the physical connection before changing advanced Windows settings. Try another Ethernet cable and router LAN port, then restart the PC and network equipment.
Next, compare Ethernet with Wi-Fi and another device. If the network works everywhere except Ethernet on one Windows PC, check Device Manager, Windows Update and the Ethernet driver.
If the adapter is detected but Windows cannot obtain a working connection, use Microsoft's TCP/IP reset, IP renewal and DNS commands and make sure your normal home connection uses Automatic DHCP.
Save Windows Network reset for last. Avoid random static IP addresses, IPv6 disabling and Registry tweaks because they can create additional problems without fixing the actual Ethernet fault.