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Ethernet Not Working on Your Computer? Try These Fixes

Check the Ethernet cable and router port, restart your modem and router, check the connection status, then reset the network on Windows or check your Chromebook.

Updated 7 min read

Quick Answer

Make sure the Ethernet cable is securely plugged into the Ethernet port on both your router and your computer, and that on the router it’s in an Ethernet port, not the Internet port that connects your modem and router. If you have another Ethernet cable nearby, try it. Then restart your modem and router and try to connect again.

Common causes

  • A faulty Ethernet cable
  • A problem with your USB to Ethernet adapter
  • A problem with your router
  • A problem with your internet service provider
  • A problem with the computer itself

Step-by-Step Solutions

Start with the cable and router, then work through the steps for your computer, and check whether you’re connected after each one.

  1. Step 1: Check the cable and the router port

    A loose cable or the wrong router port is the first thing to rule out.

    Make sure the Ethernet cable is securely plugged into the Ethernet port on both your router and your computer. On your router, make sure the cable is in the correct Ethernet port, not the Internet port that’s used to connect your modem and router.

    If one Ethernet cable doesn’t work and you have another one nearby, try the other cable. If it works, the first cable might be the problem.

    On a Chromebook, connect to the router with a workable Ethernet cable or USB adapter.

    Good to know

    If your Windows PC doesn’t have an Ethernet port, Microsoft suggests a USB to Ethernet adapter.

  2. Step 2: Check the connection status

    Your computer shows whether the wired connection is working.

    On Windows 11, open Settings, then select Network & internet, and check your Ethernet connection status at the top of the screen. It should display Connected underneath the network connection name.

    If there’s an error, such as one that says Action needed, select Ethernet to view your Ethernet connection settings.

    On a Chromebook, select the time at the bottom right. If your Chromebook connects, you’ll find Connected to Ethernet.

  3. Step 3: Run the Network and Internet troubleshooter

    On Windows 11, the troubleshooter runs diagnostics and tries to fix most problems for you.

    On a Windows 11 device, run the automated Network and Internet troubleshooter in the Get Help app. It runs diagnostics and attempts to fix most problems.

  4. Step 4: Restart your modem and router

    Restarting them helps create a new connection to your internet service provider.

    Everyone connected to your Wi-Fi network will be temporarily disconnected while you do this. The steps can vary, but these are the general steps:

    • Unplug the power cable for the router from the power source.
    • Unplug the power cable for the modem from the power source. If the modem has a backup battery and its lights stay on, remove the battery.
    • Wait at least 30 seconds. If you removed the battery, put it back in.
    • Plug the modem back in. Its lights will blink; wait for them to stop blinking.
    • Plug the router back in and wait a few minutes for both devices to fully power on. The status lights usually show when they’re ready.
    • On your computer, try to connect again using Ethernet.
    Good to know

    If you have a cable modem and Wi-Fi router combo device, you only need to follow the steps for that single device.

  5. Step 5: Try another computer or Wi-Fi

    Testing another way to connect shows whether the problem is your computer or the network.

    If you have another Windows PC and a USB to Ethernet adapter, try to connect using that PC. If it connects, the problem is likely your first PC. If neither PC can connect over Ethernet, the problem might be your router, your internet service provider or the USB to Ethernet adapter.

    If your router is a Wi-Fi router, try connecting your Windows PC to Wi-Fi. This can get you online and help you narrow down the source of the problem.

    For a Chromebook, try connecting the router with a different computer. If it connects, replace the cable or USB Ethernet adapter for your Chromebook.

  6. Step 6: Run network commands in Windows

    These commands reset the TCP/IP stack, renew your IP address and clear the DNS cache.

    Select Search on the taskbar and type Command prompt. To the right of the Command Prompt button, select Run as administrator, then Yes.

    At the command prompt, type each of these commands in this order and select Enter after each one. Then check whether your connection works.

    • netsh winsock reset
    • netsh int ip reset
    • ipconfig /release
    • ipconfig /renew
    • ipconfig /flushdns

  7. Step 7: Uninstall the Ethernet adapter driver

    Removing the driver lets Windows install it again when your PC restarts.

    Consider this if your connection stopped working properly after a recent update. Before you start, download the latest network adapter driver from your PC manufacturer’s website as a backup. If your PC can’t get online, download it on a different PC and save it to a USB flash drive. You’ll need to know your PC’s manufacturer and model name or number.

    Select Search on the taskbar, type Device Manager, and select Device Manager from the results. Expand Network adapters and locate the Ethernet network adapter.

    Right-click (or press and hold) the adapter, select Uninstall device, select the Attempt to remove the driver for this device check box, then select Uninstall. Then select Start, then Power, then Restart.

    After your PC restarts, Windows will automatically look for and install the network adapter driver. If it doesn’t, install the backup driver you saved.

  8. Step 8: Use network reset in Windows

    Network reset is the last step to try, and it puts your network adapters back to their default settings.

    Network reset removes any network adapters you have installed and their settings. After your PC restarts, the adapters are reinstalled with default settings.

    Select the Start button, enter settings, then select Settings, then Network & internet. Select Advanced network settings, then Network reset. On the Network reset screen, select Reset now, then Yes to confirm.

    Wait for your PC to restart and see if you can connect.

    Good to know

    Network reset might set each of your known network connections to a public network profile, where your PC isn’t discoverable to other PCs and devices on the network.

Still can’t connect over Ethernet?

If you can’t connect to the Ethernet network on either of two PCs, Microsoft says the problem might be with your router, your internet service provider or your USB to Ethernet adapter. If your Chromebook still has trouble after these steps, contact your Chromebook manufacturer.

Before you use network reset: After network reset, you might need to reinstall and set up other networking software, such as VPN client software.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use Ethernet if my computer has no Ethernet port?

Yes. Microsoft suggests a USB to Ethernet adapter for a Windows PC without an Ethernet port, and a Chromebook can connect with a workable Ethernet cable or USB adapter.

Which port on my router should the cable go in?

Use one of the router’s Ethernet ports, not the Internet port that connects your modem and router.

How can I tell if the Ethernet cable is bad?

Try another Ethernet cable. If the other cable works, the first cable might be the problem.

Will restarting my router disconnect other people?

Yes, everyone connected to your Wi-Fi network is temporarily disconnected while the modem and router restart.

What does network reset do in Windows?

It removes your network adapters and their settings, then reinstalls the adapters with default settings after your PC restarts. Microsoft recommends it as the last step to try.

Sources & review

This guide was checked against official support instructions from Microsoft and Google on October 1, 2026. Device options can change with software updates.

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