14 Easy Solutions to Fix Ethernet Issues

Get connected to the internet with a wired connection again

Co-authored by Megaera Lorenz, PhD Reviewed by Stan Kats

Last Updated: March 3, 2026 Fact Checked

Ethernet is a fast, reliable way to connect to the internet, and a great alternative to Wi-Fi if your connection is spotty or slow. Unfortunately, Ethernet connections are prone to occasional problems. If you can’t connect to Ethernet–or if you are connected, but you don’t have internet access–there are a few easy fixes you can try to resolve the issue. In this article, we’ll explain the most common Ethernet connection issues and how to diagnose and fix them.

Troubleshooting Ethernet Problems

To diagnose Ethernet issues, check your connection status in your computer's network settings. If you're not connected at all, there might be a physical issue with the Ethernet cable, adapter, or port. If you're connected but without internet, restart your router and run network diagnostics.

1

Check your network connection status.

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This might give you some insight into what the problem is. To check your connection status:
- Windows: Go to Start > Settings > Network & internet. You should see your Ethernet connection status at the top of the window.
  - If your status says Connected or You’re connected to the internet, then you should have a working Ethernet connection.
  - If you see Connected, no Internet, or something similar, the problem might be with your router/modem or network settings, or your internet service provider might have issues on their end.
  - If you see Not connected, there might be a physical problem with the cable or an issue with your network settings.
- Mac: Go to
  Apple menu > System Settings > Network. You should see your Ethernet connection at the top of the menu.
  - If you see a green dot and the status says Connected, you should have a working Ethernet connection.
  - If you see a yellow dot with the word Attached or something similar, your Ethernet connection is physically enabled but not active. There might be an issue with your ISP or your network settings.
  - If you see a red dot and the status message Not connected, there’s probably a physical connection issue. This might indicate a problem with your Ethernet cable or adapter or with the router/modem.

2

Make sure your cable is plugged in correctly.

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There could be a physical connection issue. If your computer indicates that there’s no physical Ethernet connection, check that your Ethernet cable is securely plugged into the port on both your computer and your router/modem. You might need to unplug it and plug it back in again.^{[1]
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- While you’re at it, check the cable for any signs of damage, such as cracks, cuts, or fraying.
- Even if you don’t see any physical damage, try another Ethernet cable (if you have one) and see if that makes a difference.
- Try these fixes if you see a red X or dot next to your Ethernet connection in your computer’s network status settings.

3

Try a different Ethernet port.

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The port you’re using might be faulty. If there’s more than one Ethernet port on your computer, try a different one. Likewise, try a different port on your modem or router if multiple ports are available.^{[3]
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- Note that if your computer has multiple Ethernet ports, you can have more than one cable plugged in, but your computer can only connect to one of them at a time.

4

Test your connection on another computer.

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If you have another computer nearby that has an Ethernet port or adapter, plug your Ethernet cable into that computer and test the connection. If there are no issues, the problem might be with the first computer rather than the cable, router/modem, or network itself.^{[4]
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5

Try connecting to Wi-Fi instead.

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If you’re able to connect to Wi-Fi, the issue is likely with your physical Ethernet cable, port, or adapter rather than the network itself. If you can’t connect to Wi-Fi, there might be a problem with the network or your computer’s internet configuration.^{[5]
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6

Restart your modem and/or router.

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This quick fix can often solve simple connection issues. Unplug your router from its power source. If you have a separate modem, unplug that as well (and remove the backup battery, if necessary). Wait for about 30 seconds, then plug your router and modem back in. Wait for the lights to stop blinking on the router, then try again to connect to the internet.^{[6]
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- While you’re waiting, reboot your computer as well. This will help fix any possible glitches on your computer’s end.

7

Run a network troubleshooter.

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Your computer might be able to diagnose and fix the problem. Your PC or Mac has built-in utilities to test for internet connection issues. Many Windows computers also have brand-specific diagnostic apps you can try. Consult your computer’s manual to learn more. To use the basic built-in troubleshooters:
- Windows:
  - In Windows 11, open the Get Help app and search for network and internet. Select Run network diagnostics. Follow the prompts to diagnose and fix any internet connection issues.^{[7]
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  - In Windows 10, go to Start > Settings > Network and Internet. Select Status > Network troubleshooter. Follow the prompts in the window that opens to complete the troubleshooting process.^{[8]
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- Mac: There’s no direct way to test Ethernet issues on your Mac, but you can run the Wireless Diagnostics tool to determine if there’s something wrong with your network if you have a Wi-Fi router.^{[9]
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  - Quit all open apps on your Mac and disconnect your Ethernet cable.
  - Try to connect to your network wirelessly.
  - Hold down Option and click the
    Wi-Fi icon in the menu bar at the top of the screen.
  - Select Open Wireless Diagnostics.
  - Follow the prompts onscreen to run the diagnostic tool.

8

Check your internet configuration with your ISP.

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Your service provider might be able to help you solve network setup issues. When you first signed up for your internet service, your ISP might have given you instructions about how to configure your network. For example, you might need to set up a PPPoE (“Point to Point Protocol over Ethernet”) in order to use the internet with an Ethernet connection. If you don’t have the instructions anymore, contact your internet service provider and ask for help.
- Your ISP might give you specific credentials (username and password) that you need to connect to Ethernet. These are usually different from your Wi-Fi credentials.
- You might also need to customize your IP, DNS, or WINS settings based on your ISP’s instructions.

9

Make sure Ethernet is enabled in BIOS (Windows).

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Sometimes BIOS settings prevent a wired connection from working. The right way to enter the BIOS varies depending on what kind of PC you have, but it usually involves repeatedly pressing a specific key (such as F2, F10, or Delete) while restarting your computer. Once you’ve accessed your BIOS settings:^{[10]
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- Look for a section called Onboard LAN, Onboard Devices, Integrated Peripherals, or something similar.
- Look for Integrated NIC, Onboard LAN Controller, or Ethernet. If you see any of those options, make sure they are enabled.
- If your Ethernet port or Network Interface Card already seems to be enabled, try updating the BIOS.
- Save any changes you made to the BIOS settings and reboot your computer.

10

Check your power management settings (Windows).

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Your PC might be set to turn off your Ethernet adapter automatically. To adjust this setting:^{[11]
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- Right-click the Start menu and select Device Manager.
- Expand the Network Adapters section.
- Right-click your Ethernet adapter and select Properties. It should be named “Ethernet Controller” or something similar.
- Click the Power Management tab in the Properties window.
- Uncheck the box next to Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power and click OK.

11

Reset your TCP/IP.

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Try this option to fix common network issues. If your network’s connection protocols are malfunctioning, you might not be able to connect to the internet. Try these steps to reset them:
- Windows:^{[12]
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  - Type command prompt into the search bar and select Run as Administrator > Yes next to Command Prompt in the search results.
  - Enter the following commands into the Command Prompt in order. Press Enter after each command:
    - netsh winsock reset
    - netsh int ip reset
    - ipconfig /release
    - ipconfig /renew
- Mac:^{[13]
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  - Go to
    Apple menu > System Settings > Network.
  - Click your network, then click Details.
  - Select TCP/IP in the left sidebar.
  - Click Renew DHCP Lease. Note that this will only work if your ISP uses DHCP to automatically configure your IP. Otherwise, you might need to configure your IP manually using a specific address from your internet service provider.

12

Flush the DNS.

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A cluttered DNS cache can cause connection issues. The DNS (Domain Name System) cache on your computer helps you connect to websites faster. But if the information stored in it becomes faulty, it can do more harm than good. Try flushing your DNS cache and see if it resolves your internet problems.^{[14]
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- Windows:
  - Type command prompt into the search bar and select Run as Administrator > Yes next to Command Prompt in the search results.
  - Enter the following command into the Command Prompt and press Enter: ipconfig /flushdns.
- Mac:
  - Open the Terminal app. You can easily do this by clicking the
    Spotlight icon at the top of your screen and typing in terminal, then double-clicking the top result.
  - Enter the command sudo dscacheutil -flushcache; sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder and press Return.
  - Enter your Mac’s administrator password when prompted and press Return again. You won’t be able to see your password as you type it in.

13

Reinstall your network adapter driver (Windows).

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A faulty driver can disrupt Ethernet connections. If you’re on Windows, you can uninstall and reinstall the driver using Device Manager. If you have an alternative way of connecting to the internet (such as Wi-Fi), go to your PC manufacturer's website first and download the driver you need. Otherwise, you’ll need to download the driver on another computer and put it on a USB drive so you can install it that way. Next:^{[15]
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- Right-click the Start menu and select Device Manager.
- Expand the Network adapters section.
- Right-click your Ethernet adapter and select Uninstall device.
- Check the box next to Attempt to remove the driver for this device and click Uninstall.
- Restart your computer. Your computer may automatically reinstall the missing driver. If it doesn’t, you can manually install the driver by going to Device Manager > Network adapters, right-clicking your Ethernet adapter, and selecting Update driver > Browse my computer for drivers.^{[16]
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14

Reset your network (Windows).

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Use this option as a last resort. This option will uninstall and reinstall all network adapters and reset all their settings. You might need to reinstall VPNs and other networking software and reset your public network profile when you’re done. To reset your network:^{[17]
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- Go to Start > Settings > Network & internet.
- Select Advanced network settings > Network reset (Windows 11) or Status > Network reset (Windows 10).
- Click Reset now > Yes.
- Wait for your PC to complete the reset and restart.

15

Tips

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- If you’re not sure whether the problem is on your end or the network’s, use a service like Downdetector.com or your internet service provider’s outage map on an internet-connected device (like your cell phone). You can also try calling your ISP. If they’re having an outage, you might just have to wait it out.