However, after the upgrade, many users reported that the Ethernet was not working in Windows 11. Usually, their PCs weren’t connecting to the internet. On the other hand, for some, Ethernet was connected but no they had no internet. This poses a significant problem since they have trouble establishing a secure Internet connection. Hence, it becomes imperative that the Windows 11 Ethernet not working error is immediately fixed. But before we head to the existing solutions, you must first understand the error’s exact causes. This will help you identify the underlying problem in your case and make the troubleshooting simpler and quicker.

What causes the Ethernet not working error in Windows 11?

A bunch of reasons can cause the issue, and we have tried to list them all below:

Outdated or corrupt drivers Running an older version of the Windows Issues with the hardware System infected with malware or virus The Ethernet adapter is disabled Misconfigured settings Conflicting applications

Now that you understand the underlying causes, it’s time we head to the fixes.

Why is Ethernet not working, but Wi-Fi is?

It might be due to connectivity issues if your Wi-Fi is working but not your Ethernet. On the other hand, it might be that the cables are not correctly plugged in or there is some damage to your cable. Also, it might be due to outdated or corrupt drivers. Lastly, the problem can be because of conflicting network settings.

How do I fix the Windows 11 Ethernet not working issue?

1. Check Ethernet cable connections

When dealing with the Ethernet not working error in Windows 11, your primary approach should be to check if the connections are in order. It would help if you first verified whether the cables are plugged in firmly. Or, unplug and replug them and ensure they fit perfectly into the port. Also, check for damages to the Ethernet cable. More often than not, a damaged line is found to be the underlying cause. Check for any significant bends or cuts in the cable; if any are found, replace them.

2. Restart the modem/router

A simple fix for problems encountered when establishing an Ethernet connection is to restart the modem/router. Then, you can either unplug the power cable or check for a power switch to turn it off. Some newer models have built-in batteries, in which case, these will have to be removed as well to turn off the modem/router. After turning it off, wait for a minute or two, plug it back into the power source, and check if the Ethernet not working error in Windows 11 is fixed.

3. Restart your Windows 11 PC

In most cases, it’s a trivial bug behind the Ethernet not working error which can be fixed by restarting the computer. When you reboot the Windows, the OS is reloaded, and any bug that crept in earlier will be eliminated. After restarting the PC, check if you can establish a connection via Ethernet. In case it doesn’t, head to the next fix. And even if it does, you should execute the remaining fixes since rebooting generally acts as a temporary solution to most problems.

4. Check if the Ethernet adapter is enabled

5. Reinstall the Ethernet driver

In many cases, the driver may corrupt over time and lead to various errors with the Ethernet. Here, all you have to do is reinstall it. Once you restart the computer after uninstalling the corrupt Ethernet driver, Windows will automatically install a fresh copy of it that is not corrupt. This should fix the Ethernet not working error, and the Ethernet doesn’t have a valid IP configuration issue in Windows 11.

6. Update the Ethernet driver

If an outdated version of the driver is installed on the PC, it’s likely to cause many errors, including the Ethernet not working issue. Hence, it would help if you kept the driver up-to-date. There are three ways you can update a driver in Windows 11: using the Device Manager, Windows Update, and manually downloading the latest version from the manufacturer’s website. All three methods have been listed to help you update the Ethernet driver.

6.1 Via Device Manager

After the driver is updated, check if the Ethernet not working error in Windows 11 is fixed. If it didn’t help or Windows couldn’t find a newer version on the system, head to the following method to update the driver.

6.2 Via Windows Update

Windows Update is a quick and safe method to update the drivers installed on the system. But, only the drivers that have been submitted to Microsoft and have been certified will be listed here. And the whole process takes time. This means there’s a good chance of an update on the manufacturer’s website while it is yet to be approved by Microsoft, and these, too, are also safe to install. Hence, it becomes essential to visit the manufacturer’s website.

6.3 Via the manufacturer’s website

Sometimes, a driver update may be available on a third-party website, not the official manufacturer’s website. In such cases, it’s recommended that you thoroughly verify the source before proceeding to the download. After downloading the latest version, check if the Ethernet not working error in Windows 11 is fixed. For automatic scans of missing or outdated drivers, we recommend using a dedicated tool such as DriverFix. If the error persists, it does not have anything to do with the driver. Hence, move to the next solution.

7. Run the Network Adapter troubleshooter

The built-in troubleshooters offered by Microsoft are one of the best ways to fix an error. And you can use it to improve the Windows 11 Ethernet keeps disconnecting issue. Just locate the relevant troubleshooter, run it, follow the on-screen instruction, choose the response when prompted, and it’s done.

8. Update Windows 11

Running an older version of Windows is also known to cause many problems, including the Ethernet not working error. Hence, it’s recommended that you keep Windows updated to avoid encountering errors. Apart from errors, with each update, Microsoft releases a bunch of features and patches for previously known bugs. These are bound to make your Windows experience a lot better and safer.

9. Reset network settings

If the above methods didn’t work, resetting the network settings might fix the Ethernet not working error in Windows 11 or an unidentified network issue. When you reset, the network adapters are reinstalled, and the settings revert to their default state.

Is Ethernet faster than WiFi?

Generally, Ethernet is faster and offers less latency than Wi-Fi. Also, it is usually more reliable and secure. The speed you also get from Ethernet depends on the cables you are using, with some of the latest producing about 1GB/s. However, Wi-Fi is a more friendly option for mobile users and offers consistent speed.

How do I execute the fixes if an Ethernet connection cannot be established?

If the Windows 11 Ethernet is not working in error, you can try establishing a Wi-Fi connection, if that’s available. However, if you are also facing trouble with that, boot Windows 11 into Safe Mode. We are going through all this trouble since some of the fixes listed here will require a working Internet connection. Rest assured that these solutions are the critical ones that have a higher chance of resolving the issue. The fixes listed above will, in all likelihood, resolve the Ethernet not working error in Windows 11. However, if the error persists, you can either restore the system or reset Windows 11 to its factory settings. Besides that, take a closer look at this article dedicated to solving Wi-Fi issues in Windows 11. You’ll see that some of the culprits are similar. In case WiFi is not working but Ethernet does, check out our dedicated guide for more details. Please let us know which fix worked for you in the comments section below.

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