Network troubleshooting technician providing live chat help

Joe B.

Expert ★★★★★ 27,853 satisfied customers

Specialities: Home networking, Wi-Fi routers, Ethernet & LAN issues, Windows/macOS internet problems, DNS & IP configuration, ISP setup

Fix “Wi-Fi works but Ethernet doesn’t” — wired connection not working, no internet over Ethernet, unidentified network

Technician avatar Technician
Hi! We’ll get your Wi-Fi works but Ethernet doesn’t issue fixed so the wired connection is as reliable as Wi-Fi. I just need a snapshot of your setup so we can target the right steps.

When you plug in the Ethernet cable:
• Does Windows or macOS show messages like “Ethernet doesn’t have a valid IP configuration”, “Unidentified network”, or “No network cable plugged in”?
• Does the Ethernet port on your PC and router/switch show link/activity lights (usually green/amber)?
• Which systems are affected — a single desktop or gaming PC, or every device that uses Ethernet while Wi-Fi stays online?

Also tell me which operating system you’re on (for example, Windows 10, Windows 11, macOS) so I can give exact step-by-step instructions.
Customer
I’m on Windows 11. Wi-Fi is fine on this PC and on my phone, so the internet and router/Wi-Fi clearly work. But when I plug in the Ethernet cable to my desktop, it shows the wired icon with a yellow triangle and says “No internet, Ethernet”. Sometimes I also see “Ethernet doesn’t have a valid IP configuration”. The lights on the router LAN port and on the PC Ethernet port are on.
Technician avatar Technician
Thanks, that’s very clear. When Wi-Fi works but Ethernet doesn’t, it usually means:

• The Ethernet adapter is connected but not getting a proper IP address from DHCP (you’ll often see a 169.254.x.x address or the “valid IP configuration” error).
• The cable, router LAN port, or a switch in between is flaky.
• There are incorrect static IP or DNS settings on the Ethernet adapter while Wi-Fi uses automatic settings.
• Security/VPN software or power-saving options are breaking the wired connection only.

We’ll first confirm that the Ethernet card is seen correctly in Windows, then we’ll fix any “Ethernet doesn’t have a valid IP configuration” or unidentified network issues so your wired connection gets the same internet access as Wi-Fi.
Customer
Device Manager shows a Realtek PCIe GbE Family Controller with no warning icon, so Windows seems to see the Ethernet card. When I disable Wi-Fi and just leave Ethernet on, websites don’t load at all. The status says “Connected, no internet”. I haven’t really changed any Ethernet settings manually, at least not that I remember.
Technician avatar Technician
Perfect, let’s go step by step.

Step A — Check the Ethernet link and IP address
1) Make sure the cable goes from the PC’s Ethernet port directly into a LAN port on the router or switch (not the WAN/Internet port). If you have a spare Ethernet cable, try it too — a bad cable is a very common reason why Ethernet is not working but Wi-Fi is.
2) On Windows 11, right-click the network icon → Network & Internet settings → Advanced network settings → under “Network adapters” click your Ethernet connection → confirm the status shows “Connected” or “Enabled”, not “Disabled”.
3) Open Command Prompt and run:
  • ipconfig /all
Look for the Ethernet adapter: what IPv4 address do you see — something like 192.168.x.x/10.x.x.x or a 169.254.x.x APIPA address? That will tell us whether the router is giving Ethernet a proper IP.
Customer
The cable is in a LAN port on the router. I tried another cable, same result. In Command Prompt, Wi-Fi shows 192.168.0.28, but Ethernet shows IPv4 169.254.13.105 with “Autoconfiguration IPv4 Address”. So yeah, it looks like the adapter isn’t getting an address from the router.
Technician avatar Technician
Exactly — that 169.254.x.x address confirms the “Ethernet doesn’t have a valid IP configuration” problem. Let’s fix the adapter and its DHCP settings.

Step B — Make Ethernet use automatic IP and DNS
1) Press Win + R, type ncpa.cpl and press Enter.
2) Right-click your Ethernet connection → Properties → double-click Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4).
3) Make sure both options are set to:
  • “Obtain an IP address automatically”
  • “Obtain DNS server address automatically” (or temporarily set DNS to 1.1.1.1 / 8.8.8.8).
4) Click OK to save, then back in the adapter list right-click Ethernet and choose Disable, wait 10 seconds, then Enable it again. This refreshes the wired connection.
5) In an elevated Command Prompt (Run as administrator), run:
  • ipconfig /release
  • ipconfig /renew
  • ipconfig /flushdns

After that, run ipconfig /all one more time and tell me if the Ethernet adapter now shows a 192.168.x.x or 10.x.x.x address instead of 169.254.
Customer
I set IPv4 back to automatic for IP and DNS, disabled and re-enabled the adapter, then ran those commands. Now Ethernet shows 192.168.0.45 as IPv4 with the router as the gateway. But Windows still shows the globe icon that says “No internet access” for Ethernet. If I turn Wi-Fi back on, everything works again.
Technician avatar Technician
Good, that’s progress — the IP configuration is now correct, so the remaining issue is usually DNS, priority, or security software.

Step C — Test Ethernet alone and fix “No internet” indicator
1) Temporarily turn Wi-Fi off on this PC so it’s forced to use Ethernet only.
2) Open Command Prompt and try:
  • ping 8.8.8.8
  • ping google.com
If the first ping works but the second fails, it’s a DNS issue on Ethernet.
3) In IPv4 settings for Ethernet, you can test setting DNS to:
  • Preferred DNS: 1.1.1.1
  • Alternate DNS: 8.8.8.8
4) If you use a VPN client, antivirus firewall, or web-filtering software, temporarily pause it and test again — some tools block wired LAN while allowing Wi-Fi.
5) Finally, go to Settings → Network & internet → Advanced network settings → Network reset and run a full reset if the “No internet access” status won’t clear, then reboot.

Let me know if, with Wi-Fi off, you can browse websites over Ethernet after these changes.
Customer
With Wi-Fi off, ping 8.8.8.8 and google.com both work now after I set DNS to 1.1.1.1 / 8.8.8.8. Web pages load over Ethernet, and the warning icon disappeared. So my desktop is fixed. But there’s another PC that’s wired to a different LAN port on the router; on that one, Ethernet doesn’t even show up in Network Connections, only Wi-Fi.
Technician avatar Technician
Got it — that second machine is a different flavor of the same problem: Ethernet not detected while Wi-Fi works.

Step D — When Ethernet doesn’t show up at all
1) First, plug that second PC into the same LAN port and cable that work for the first PC. This quickly tells us if a router LAN port or cable is bad.
2) On the second PC, open Device Manager → Network adapters and check whether you see an Ethernet adapter (Intel, Realtek, Killer, Broadcom, etc.) with any yellow exclamation mark.
3) If the adapter has a warning icon or shows as “disabled”, right-click → Enable. If it’s missing completely, you may need to turn it on in the BIOS/UEFI or install the correct driver from the PC/motherboard manufacturer.
4) Once the Ethernet adapter appears, repeat the same IP/DNS steps we used earlier to avoid “Ethernet doesn’t have a valid IP configuration” on that machine.

After swapping ports/cables, let me know if that second PC sees the wired network or if the router LAN port looks dead.
Customer
Swapping the cable and LAN port helped. With the working cable/port, the Ethernet adapter showed up immediately in Network Connections, and Windows installed the driver. Now that PC also gets internet over Ethernet. The only thing I still notice is that the wired connection sometimes drops for a second when I’m gaming or copying big files, then comes back.
Technician avatar Technician
Nice work — at this point we’ve solved the main Wi-Fi works but Ethernet doesn’t problem and confirmed both PCs can use wired internet. Now let’s make the wired line stable for gaming and large transfers.

Step E — Stop random Ethernet drops
• In Device Manager → Ethernet adapter → Properties, open the Power Management tab and uncheck “Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power”.
• On the Advanced tab, disable options like Energy Efficient Ethernet (EEE), “Green Ethernet”, or other aggressive power-saving modes that can cause micro-disconnects.
• Make sure Speed & Duplex is set to “Auto Negotiation” unless your ISP or switch requires a specific setting. For most home routers, Auto at 1 Gbps full duplex is ideal.
• If your router supports it, enable simple QoS and prioritize your gaming PC’s wired MAC address to keep ping stable.
• Keep the Ethernet driver up to date from the PC or motherboard vendor — outdated drivers are a common cause of wired connection dropping while Wi-Fi stays fine.

These changes usually eliminate “Ethernet keeps disconnecting” while leaving Wi-Fi untouched.
Customer
I disabled the power-saving options and set Speed & Duplex back to Auto. I’ve been playing for about 30 minutes and the Ethernet connection hasn’t dropped once. So far everything seems stable on both PCs now, and Wi-Fi still works as before. Anything else I should do so this doesn’t return?
Technician avatar Technician
Great — that’s exactly what we wanted: Ethernet working and stable while Wi-Fi also works.

Step F — Prevent “Wi-Fi works but Ethernet doesn’t” from coming back
• Label or keep aside the good Ethernet cables and LAN ports you tested today; avoid using any suspect cable that caused drops.
• Once in a while, check the router’s admin page for firmware updates — some releases fix LAN port bugs and random disconnect issues.
• Avoid mixing random static IPs on Ethernet while leaving Wi-Fi on DHCP; if you ever need static addressing, document it so you don’t end up with another “Ethernet doesn’t have a valid IP configuration” error later.
• If you install new VPN or security software, and suddenly wired internet stops working but Wi-Fi is okay, check that software’s network settings first.
• Every few months, run through a quick health check: confirm link lights, run ipconfig, and test a quick ping so you can catch issues early.

With those habits, your wired LAN should stay solid and faster than Wi-Fi for gaming, backups, and large downloads.
Customer
Awesome, really appreciate the detailed walkthrough. Both Ethernet and Wi-Fi are working perfectly now, and the wired connection feels much faster and more stable in games. Thanks a lot!
Technician avatar Technician
You’re very welcome! Quick recap: when Wi-Fi works but Ethernet doesn’t, you want to (1) verify the cable and LAN port, (2) make sure the Ethernet adapter is enabled and visible in Device Manager, (3) set IPv4 and DNS to automatic and refresh IP so you don’t get the “Ethernet doesn’t have a valid IP configuration” error, and (4) update drivers and disable power-saving features that cause random drops.

If you ever run into wired connection not working again — no internet over Ethernet, “unidentified network”, or the “no network cable plugged in” message even though it is — just start a chat with an expert and we’ll trace it live with you.

Quick answer: the accepted fix

Accepted fix when Wi-Fi works but Ethernet doesn’t: confirm Wi-Fi has internet, then check the Ethernet cable and router LAN port, make sure the Ethernet adapter is enabled, set IPv4 and DNS to obtain addresses automatically, refresh the IP lease so you don’t get a 169.254.x.x or “Ethernet doesn’t have a valid IP configuration” error, and update drivers or disable power-saving features that can drop the wired link.

Why Wi-Fi works but Ethernet doesn’t (cables, LAN ports, IP configuration)

Most Ethernet not working but Wi-Fi is problems come down to the wired path between your device and the router. The router and internet clearly work, because Wi-Fi clients are online. The weak link is usually a bad Ethernet cable, a failing LAN port on the router or switch, or a misconfigured adapter that shows errors like “Ethernet doesn’t have a valid IP configuration” or “Unidentified network”.

Your device should be getting an IP address from the router’s DHCP server. If Ethernet falls back to a 169.254.x.x address, uses an old static IP, or has broken DNS settings, Windows reports “No internet” even though Wi-Fi can browse fine. Separating the path into pieces — device → Ethernet adapter → cable → router LAN port — lets you see exactly where the wired connection is failing.

How to tell whether the problem is Ethernet adapter, cable, or router

To quickly narrow down a Wi-Fi works but Ethernet doesn’t issue, compare how Wi-Fi and wired behave on the same network:

First, verify that Wi-Fi devices (phone, laptop) have internet access. Then plug a computer into the router with an Ethernet cable and check for link lights on both ends. In Windows, open ipconfig and see whether the Ethernet adapter gets a local IP like 192.168.x.x or a 169.254.x.x fallback. If Wi-Fi works but the Ethernet adapter never gets a valid address, focus on the cable, LAN port, and adapter driver. If Ethernet has a proper IP but only certain sites fail, look at DNS settings, VPN software, or firewall rules that might treat wired differently from Wi-Fi.

Wi-Fi works but Ethernet doesn’t — quick troubleshooting tips

Confirm Wi-Fi and internet first, then fix Ethernet cable, adapter, and IP/DNS configuration.

Fast path: verify Wi-Fi has internet → plug a known-good cable from your device to a known-good LAN port → confirm link lights are on → make sure the Ethernet adapter is enabled in Windows or macOS → set IPv4 and DNS to automatic so you don’t see “Ethernet doesn’t have a valid IP configuration” → refresh the IP lease with ipconfig /release and ipconfig /renew → update the network adapter driver and disable aggressive power-saving. This solves most cases where the wired connection is not working but Wi-Fi is fine.

Disclaimer: This information is AI-generated and intended for general guidance only. For advice specific to your PC, Ethernet adapter, and router model, please consult a verified expert on Whizz-Tech before making decisions.

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FAQ

Why does Wi-Fi work but Ethernet doesn’t?

Usually, the router and internet are fine, but something is wrong in the wired path. Common causes include a bad Ethernet cable, a failing or misconfigured LAN port on the router, disabled or outdated Ethernet drivers, or incorrect IP/DNS settings on the Ethernet adapter that trigger messages like “Ethernet doesn’t have a valid IP configuration”. Checking link lights, swapping cables/ports, and verifying that IPv4 is set to obtain an address automatically will usually reveal the problem.

How do I fix “Ethernet doesn’t have a valid IP configuration” in Windows?

Set your Ethernet adapter to use automatic settings: in the adapter’s IPv4 properties, choose “Obtain an IP address automatically” and “Obtain DNS server address automatically”. Then disable and re-enable the adapter, and run ipconfig /release, ipconfig /renew, and ipconfig /flushdns in an elevated Command Prompt. If you still get a 169.254.x.x address, try another cable and LAN port, and update the Ethernet driver from your PC or motherboard manufacturer.

What lights should be on when Ethernet is working?

On most home routers and switches, a working wired connection shows a solid link light and a blinking activity light on the LAN port, plus a similar light near your PC’s Ethernet jack. If the lights are off, the router may not see the cable at all, which points to a bad cable, port, or disabled adapter. If Wi-Fi is online but the Ethernet port has no link light, the problem is in the wired path, not the internet connection.

When should I reset network settings or replace the Ethernet adapter?

If you have verified cables and ports, set IPv4/DNS to automatic, updated drivers, and still see Ethernet not working but Wi-Fi is fine, a network reset in Windows is a good next step. Go to Network & internet settings and run Network reset to restore defaults. If the adapter disappears from Device Manager or link lights never come on, the Ethernet hardware itself may be failing and a replacement NIC or USB-to-Ethernet adapter can be the most reliable fix.

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