Why Does My Windows 11 Show No Internet Access Even When Ethernet Is Connected?
Why Does My Windows 11 Show No Internet Access Even When Ethernet Is Connected?
3 Answers

Dealing with “Windows 11 no internet access but connected Ethernet” can be a real head-scratcher, but there are some straightforward steps you can take to tackle it:
- Check Physical Connections:
- You might want to double-check that the Ethernet cable is snugly fit into both your computer and the router. A loose connection might be the culprit.
- Got a spare cable? Swap it out to see if your current one’s being temperamental.
- If your router has multiple ports, try plugging it into a different one just for good measure.
- Disable and Enable Ethernet Connection:
- Hop over to Settings, then Network & Internet > Status > Change adapter options.
- Right-click your Ethernet connection and hit Disable. Pause for a bit, then Enable it to give it a fresh start.
- Update Network Drivers:
- Press Windows + X and head to the Device Manager.
- Expand Network adapters, right-click on your Ethernet adapter, and pick Update driver.
- Follow through with Search automatically for updated driver software. It’s like giving your network a little tune-up.
- Reset TCP/IP Stack:
- Crack open the Command Prompt by typing cmd in the Windows search, right-click it, and choose Run as administrator.
- Type these commands and hit Enter after each one:
netsh winsock reset
netsh int ip reset
- Go ahead and restart your computer afterward.
- Check Network Settings:
- In Settings, mosey over to Network & Internet > Ethernet > Network and Sharing Center.
- Click Change adapter settings, right-click on your Ethernet connection, and hit Properties.
- Ensure Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) is checked, and it’s set to grab the IP and DNS addresses automatically.
- Temporarily Disable Firewall/Antivirus:
- Sometimes, firewalls or antivirus programs have a mind of their own. Turn them off temporarily and see if that brings back your internet access.
- Remember to switch them back on after your testing to keep your system safe.
If these moves don’t fix things up, it might be time to check in with your internet provider or get in touch with Microsoft support for more help. Keep at it!

Why Your Windows 11 Says “No Internet Access” Even When You’re Plugged into Ethernet
Alright, let’s get to the bottom of that pesky “no internet access” error you’re seeing in Windows 11, despite having an Ethernet cable firmly in place. More often than not, it’s due to some quirky network settings, funky drivers, or an internal system chaos party. Let’s take a relaxed, hands-on approach to sorting this out.
First Things First: Quick Checks
Before we dive too deep, let\’s tick off some basic stuff:
- Make sure that Ethernet cable is snugly fit at both ends – your PC and the router/modem.
- Try the cable with another device to rule out a faulty line.
- Give your router/modem and PC a quick reboot, just to reset things.
Messy IP/DNS Settings
If your IP or DNS settings have a mind of their own, that could be causing the hiccup.
Let’s Auto-Reset Those Settings
- Go to Settings via Win + I > Network & Internet > Ethernet.
- Click on your connection and hit Edit under IP assignment.
- Choose Automatic (DHCP) for both IP and DNS settings. If you’re tech-savvy, pop in Google DNS addresses like 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4.
Flush Out That DNS Cache
- Fire up Command Prompt as admin.
- Type:
ipconfig /release\nipconfig /renew\nipconfig /flushdns\n
Upgrading or Managing Network Adapter Drivers
If your drivers are outdated or just having a bad day, it might be time for a little TLC.
Update or Roll Back Drivers
- Open the Device Manager (hit Win + X > Device Manager).
- In Network adapters, right-click your Ethernet driver and choose Update driver.
If things went downhill after an update, you can roll back to a previous version.
Hitting the Reset Button on the Network
Time to wipe the slate clean if nothing else worked!
- Head over to Settings > Network & Internet > Advanced network settings.
- Hit Network reset and let it do its thing. This will clear out all network adapters and return settings to square one.
Windows Services and System-Heavy Lifting
Sometimes vital network services take a nap or a system files trip.
Give Those Services a Jumpstart
- Search for and open Services (Win + S > search “Services”).
- Make sure things like DHCP Client, DNS Client, and Network Connections are awake and set to Automatic.
Patch Up Those System Files
- Open Command Prompt as admin.
- Type:
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth\nsfc /scannow\n
Trying Out Some Advanced Moves
If you’re feeling adventurous, here are a few more tricks:
- Turn Off IPv6: In Ethernet adapter properties (Control Panel > Network and Sharing Center), uncheck Internet Protocol Version 6 (TCP/IPv6).
- Tweak Proxy Settings: Go to Settings > Network & Internet > Proxy, and turn off Use a proxy server if it’s toggled on.
- Tinker in the Registry: (Proceed with caution and back up first!) Navigate to
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\\SYSTEM\\CurrentControlSet\\Services\\NlaSvc\\Parameters\\Internet
and make sure EnableActiveProbing is set to 1.
The Antivirus/Firewall Fiasco
Could your firewall be practicing extreme social distancing? Disable any third-party antivirus or firewall temporarily to see if it’s blocking your Internet.
Putting It All Together
Here’s the deal: Start with the easy stuff and work your way up: Basic Checks → Reset IP/DNS → Driver Updates → Network Reset → System Services → Advanced Tweaks. If you’re still stuck, maybe a Windows System Restore or even reaching out to your ISP could pinpoint the problem.
Okay, so that’s the journey to fix your Ethernet-connected but Internet-deprived Windows 11. We played detective, checking cables, fiddling with settings, and maybe even casting a side-eye at stubborn software, tying up all loose ends to get your connection up and running again!

Ever been in that frustrating spot where your Windows 11 PC says you\’re connected via Ethernet but screams \”No Internet Access\”? It\’s a head-scratcher, right? Well, let\’s dig into some down-to-earth solutions to get you back online.
First off, take a peek at your physical setup. I know it sounds basic, but double-check if your Ethernet cable is snugly hooked both into your device and the router. And make sure it’s in the right port—no, not the Internet/WAN one! If you have another cable lying around, swap it in to see if that\’s the culprit. A faulty cable or even a wonky router port can cause this drama.
Next up, fire up the Network Troubleshooter. It\’s like your PC’s version of a quick diagnostic check. Head into Settings > Network & Internet, and under Status, hit up the Network troubleshooter. It’s a neat tool that fixes some issues automatically. Think of it as step one in the troubleshooting dance.
Still no dice? Let’s get our hands dirty with Command Prompt. Open it up in admin mode (just search for it and hit \”Run as administrator\”). Type in these magic words:
netsh winsock reset
netsh int ip reset
ipconfig /release
ipconfig /renew
ipconfig /flushdns
Pop these in, and they’ll do some networking voodoo by resetting everything from TCP/IP stack to your DNS cache. Sometimes, it’s that simple.
Now, we can’t leave out the often-overlooked driver angle. Driver issues love to sneak in after updates. Bust open Device Manager (Win + R, then type devmgmt.msc), expand Network adapters, and see your Ethernet adapter? Right-click and hit Disable. Give it a beat, then Enable. If that doesn’t smooth things over, try updating or even uninstalling the driver. After a reboot, let Windows do its thing and reinstall it.
Ever tinker with your network settings? If you\’re in a trusted place, switching your network profile to Private might help. Go into Settings again, then Network & Internet > Ethernet, and make the change. While you’re at it, switching your DNS to a third-party one like Google (8.8.8.8 as primary and 8.8.4.4 as secondary) can sometimes work wonders.
And if you\’re still in a bind, there\’s always the nuclear option—a full network reset. Before you jump into it, just know you\’ll have to fix up anything like VPN settings after. Navigate to Settings > Network & Internet > Advanced network settings, and go for a Network reset.
By following these steps, you should be able to pin down what\’s messing with your internet access and fix it. Good luck getting back online!