I'm having trouble with my Windows PC not connecting to the internet. I use an Ethernet cable to connect to WiFi, but it shows that the DHCP server isn't responding. Interestingly, the internet works fine when I switch to my mobile hotspot and disconnect the Ethernet. Can anyone help me figure this out?
6 Answers
Do you have access to a switch? You could plug the Ethernet into the switch's uplink port, then connect another cable from an open port on the switch to your computer's LAN port. Also, make sure the cable you’re using is functional—if possible, test with another one.
Just a heads-up! It sounds like your WiFi amplifier isn’t properly linked to the main router since it’s connected to your PC. Make sure the amplifier is connected to the router itself for it to function correctly and provide an IP address.
Your DHCP server is probably your modem or router. Check where the other end of your Ethernet cable is plugged in. It should lead to the router. If it's connected properly but still not getting an IP address, you might need to log into your router settings to ensure DHCP is enabled, or maybe even swap out the Ethernet cable.
Have you tried rebooting both your computer and your router? Start with the router—just unplug it for about 30 seconds and then plug it back in. For your PC, you can click the start menu, select the power button, and then hit restart. That usually helps!
I tried that, but it didn’t work for me.
If you have a switch between your router and PC, try restarting it. I've seen similar issues where a simple restart fixed everything. This happened a few times with Unifi switches, so it might not just be a Windows 11 problem.
You might want to disable any firewalls or antivirus programs temporarily to see if that helps with the DHCP issue. Sometimes these can interfere with the connection.
I'll give that a try! By the way, I believe my PC connects through a WiFi amplifier, not directly to the router.