What should I do if my Ethernet keeps disconnecting on Windows 11?
What should I do if my Ethernet keeps disconnecting on Windows 11?
3 Answers

If your Ethernet on Windows 11 keeps dropping out, it can be a real headache. Let\’s dive into some fixes, thinking about both the techy side of things and the straightforward stuff you can check.
First up, check those cables. You\’d be amazed at how often a loose cable is the root of the problem. Make sure your Ethernet cable\’s snugly connected to your PC and your router. Also, grab a spare cable if you have one, just to eliminate the possibility of wear and tear giving you grief.
Next, give your networking gear a quick restart. Unplug your modem and router, wait half a minute, and plug them back in. This little trick often clears out any temporary hiccups.
Now, let\’s get into Windows\’ own tools. Running the Network Troubleshooter is like having an IT buddy onboard. Go to Settings > Network & Internet > Status, and hit “Network troubleshooter.” Let that bad boy ferret out and sort any common issues.
How about those Ethernet drivers? Outdated or corrupt drivers can sneakily mess things up. Jump into the Device Manager, find your Ethernet adapter, and hit “Update driver.” If that doesn\’t do the trick, uninstalling and letting Windows figure it out on reboot might just save the day.
Another sneaky culprit could be your power management settings. Open Device Manager again, track down that Ethernet adapter, hit “Properties,” then “Power Management.” Uncheck the option that lets your computer disable the device to save power. It’s saved plenty of folks from disconnect hell.
Sometimes a good ol’ reset through Command Prompt does wonders. Open it as an admin and type in these commands one after the other: netsh winsock reset, netsh int ip reset, ipconfig /release, ipconfig /renew, ipconfig /flushdns. Restart, and cross your fingers that it\’s all sorted.
If you’re rocking a VPN or proxy, these could be interfering. Give them the boot temporarily to see if your connection stays steady. Antivirus programs may also play havoc, so disable them briefly as a test.
And there\’s always the chance that a recent Windows update threw everything out of whack. See if rolling back to a previous driver helps, or check the device manufacturer’s site for specific Windows 11 drivers.
Still got issues? We’ll have to dig deeper. Network priority settings could be meddling. Usually, Ethernet takes the top spot over Wi-Fi, but something might’ve gone awry. Your gear could even be on the blink if you’ve already swapped cables and ports without any luck. If it feels like everything’s playing against you, checking out the hardware for any hidden problems might be your last resort.
Tackling these steps should hopefully get you back to binge-watching your favorite shows without any annoying interruptions. Good luck!

Ethernet Keeps Disconnecting on Windows 11: Causes and Solutions
When you\’re dealing with your Ethernet connection constantly dropping on Windows 11, it can feel like you\’re playing an endless game of whack-a-mole. This could be down to a bunch of reasons, from problematic hardware and software setups to those pesky system updates that everyone seems to dread.
1. Outdated or Corrupted Network Drivers
Let\’s face it, drivers are like the middlemen between your operating system and hardware. And sometimes, these middlemen drop the ball. If they\’re outdated or corrupted, your connection might start acting up. Here\’s what you can do:
- Dive into the Device Manager (just hit Win + X and look for it). Under Network Adapters, you\’ll find your Ethernet adapter. Try updating the driver from there. If your computer decides it\’s not finding anything new, go detective mode on the manufacturer’s website or use something like Driver Booster to check things out for you.
- If that doesn’t work, you might need to uninstall the driver from the same place and just restart your computer. Yeah, it’s an old trick, but sometimes that’s all it takes.
2. Power Management Conflicts
Windows is notorious for trying to save power even when you’d rather it didn’t. Sometimes it puts your Ethernet adapter to sleep, which isn’t helpful. Here’s how you fix it:
- Pop back into Device Manager, find your Ethernet adapter, and under Properties, head to the Power Management tab. Ditch the checkmark that says “Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power.”
3. Network Configuration Errors
If you\’re into settings, you might have messed around a bit and stirred the pot. But don’t worry, you can reset things without too much of a fuss:
- Open the Command Prompt with admin rights and run these commands:
netsh winsock reset
netsh int ip reset
ipconfig /release
ipconfig /renew
- Restart your machine.
- You might also clear out that DNS cache by punching in:
ipconfig /flushdns
- If it\’s really giving you grief, go nuclear on your network settings via Settings > Network & Internet > Advanced Network Settings > Network Reset.
4. Hardware or Cable Issues
Sometimes the simplest explanation is the right one. Check your cables and devices:
- Swap the Ethernet cable with a different one or try connecting it to a different port on your router.
- If you have a USB-to-Ethernet adapter kicking around, give it a whirl to pinpoint the problem.
5. Software or Driver Conflicts
Third-party software is like the rebellious teenager of your computer setup. They don’t always want to play nice with the Ethernet. To sort this out:
- Turn off any VPN or antivirus software temporarily.
- Try Safe Mode with Networking to see if things improve.
6. Windows Update Bugs
Ah, updates. They’re like opening a box of chocolates—you never know what you’re gonna get. If a recent update threw a wrench into your network stability:
- Head over to Settings > Windows Update > Update History and get rid of the troublemaker by uninstalling the newest updates.
- Keep an eye out for pending driver updates in the Optional Updates section.
7. Router or Modem Firmware
Lastly, if you\’re at your wit’s end, the problem might not even be your computer. Check your router’s admin panel to see if there’s a firmware update waiting for you. If all else fails, resetting your router to its factory settings might do the trick.
Pro Tip: If this stuff seems too hairy, give Windows Network Troubleshooter a shot. You can find it under Settings > System > Troubleshoot. Also, keep an eye on connection logs in the Event Viewer if you’re feeling adventurous. You never know what you might discover.
Hopefully, these tips help you nail down the issue and restore that solid Ethernet connection. Keep on troubleshooting!

Hey, dealing with an Ethernet connection that keeps dropping in Windows 11 can be a real pain, right? Here are some things you can try to get it back on track:
- First things first: The Simple Stuff
- Double-check that your Ethernet cable is snugly connected at both ends.
- Swap out the cable with a spare one to make sure it’s not the culprit.
- Try a different port on the router if you can.
- Next Up: Update Those Drivers
- Pop open Device Manager from the Start Menu.
- Hit the Network adapters section and find your Ethernet adapter.
- Right-click it, select Update driver, and then Search automatically for updated driver software.
- Power Tweaks: Don’t Let the PC Snooze Your Connection
- Back in Device Manager, right-click the Ethernet adapter and head to Properties.
- Jump to the Power Management tab.
- Uncheck the box that allows the computer to turn off the device to save power. It’s a sneaky one!
- Energy Efficient Ethernet: Sometimes Less is More
- In the Properties of your adapter, switch to the Advanced tab.
- If you see Energy Efficient Ethernet, just set it to Disabled.
- Network Reset: The Hail Mary
- Head to Settings, look for Network & Internet.
- Sneak into Advanced network settings and choose Network reset.
- Here’s your final move: hit Reset now to refresh everything.
- Keeping It Fresh: Windows Updates
- Make your way to Settings and pick Windows Update.
- Give Check for updates a click and let it work its magic. Fresh updates might smooth things out.
If you’re still stuck after these steps, you might want to reach out to Microsoft Support or the manufacturer of your network adapter for more tailored advice.