Doesn't Have a Valid IP Configuration Error

Doesn’t Have a Valid IP Configuration Error

This article will help you resolve a valid IP configuration error appearing on both Ethernet and on a wireless adapter.

Sometimes, users get into a problem wherein it shows that Ethernet or WiFi doesn’t have a valid IP configuration (Image below).

It looks very frustrating when your other devices are connected to the internet, working fine instead, you have to work on your current laptop, and you are unable to go online.

WiFi network is a great invention in the computer world to connect to the internet. You may use WiFi connection on your laptop/desktop that is connected to your router or modem.

WiFi network is quite useful and allows you to connect your laptop or other wireless devices to different networks in different locations.

For this post, we are using an example error as WiFi doesn’t have a valid IP configuration but the solution is the same for Ethernet error as well.

Ethernet or WiFi doesn’t have valid IP configuration

The following steps will work with Windows 7 and later operating systems, including the latest Windows 11 as well.

First of all, launch Command Prompt (Admin)

To open it, press Win + X and select Command Prompt (Admin)

Solution 1. Winsock Reset

Winsock reset is one of the simplest methods to fix this issue. Use the following command in the command prompt (Admin):

netsh winsock reset

Once you type the above command, then hit enter from your keyboard, you will get the message in the next line is You must restart the computer in order to complete the reset.

If you see this message, that means we have initiated the command successfully. You just need to restart your computer.

Once your computer is back, go to the network icon at the bottom right of your computer screen. Click on it and choose your WiFi Network name and click on connect.

If you have setup a Wireless Password (WEP Key) on your router, then enter the network key and click on the connect option.

Now you can see that you are connected to a wireless network without any error of valid IP configuration.

Most Windows users reported that the above solution usually fixes issues with a valid IP configuration problem, but make sure that if you use a static IP address you will have to set it up again.

If the Winsock Reset command doesn’t work for you then, you might want to try the following commands as well:

Solution 2. IP Release and Renew

If method 1 fails, in that case we will release the IP address and renew it again by following the command:

Open Command Prompt (Admin). To open it, press Win + X and select Command Prompt (Admin)

To release an IP address, use command: ipconfig /release and hit the Enter button
Need to flush DNS cache, use command: ipconfig /flushdns
To renew an IP address, use command: ipconfig /renew and hit the Enter button

Solution 3. Uninstall Wireless Adapter Driver

In some of the cases, still user face the same problem with valid IP configuration. This may also happen due to outdated wireless adapter driver. You can reinstall the wireless adapter driver.

Follow the steps given below:

Open Device Manager. To open it, press Win + X and select Device Manager
When the Device Manager opens, look for the wireless adapter driver and right-click on it and select Uninstall.You may receive confirmation that the device driver un-installation, check the box Delete the driver software for this device and click OK.
Once the uninstallation process is completed, restart your computer.

When your PC starts again, Windows 10 will automatically install the default wireless adapter driver.

If the default driver works well, you can continue using it. However, if the problem still persists, you may have to download the latest driver and install it.

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