What to do when your ethernet won’t connect

If you’ve got working Wi-Fi but your wired ethernet connection is not working, the first thing to do is turn off the Wi-Fi. Believe it or not, this might tell you that the ethernet is working. If Windows has access to both, it will give top priority to ethernet, but display the Wi-Fi icon in the notification area. Right-click on the icon, go to Open Network and Internet Settings, then the Wi-Fi tab, and toggle off.

Even if that doesn’t solve your problem, it will make the tests below easier to run. You’ll see immediately if ethernet is working, which is exactly what you need to know.

If Wi-Fi is disabled and you’re still not getting a network connection, make sure that ethernet is enabled in the same Network and Internet Settings section.

Find the right network. It will likely say Local Area Connection. If you see Not connected below the name, right-click it and select Enable. It may take a few seconds for the connection to start working, but no more than that.

If that doesn’t fix it, plug the cable into another port on the router. If that fixes the problem, you’ve got a defective router. As long as you don’t need all of your ports, you can get by. Otherwise, check the manual or the manufacturer to find out about a fix. Worst case, you can replace it.

If that doesn’t work, swap ethernet cables—even if you have to borrow or buy a new cable to do so. If that fixes the problem, you came out with a very simple fix.

If none of those tests fixes the problem, the problem is with your PC. But is it the hardware or operating system?

To find out, set up a Live Linux disc or flash drive, and boot from that. If ethernet fails to work here, the problem is with the hardware. Unless you’re really good at fixing computers, I’d suggest you take the PC to a professional.

But if ethernet works in Linux, the problem is with Windows. Try reinstalling your ethernet drivers:

Back in Windows, go to the Start menu’s Search field, enter device manager, and select Device Manager.
Expand the Network Adapters section.
Right-click the ethernet adapter (hint, it’s the one without Wi-Fi or wireless in its name) and select Uninstall.
Confirm by clicking OK.
Reboot to reinstall the driver.

That should fix it.

Lincoln Spector — Contributing Editor

In addition to technology, freelance journalist (and sometimes humorist) Lincoln Spector is a passionate cinephile who writes the Bayflicks.net movie blog.