I recently moved and brought my PC to a new apartment. At a computer repair shop, the PC's built-in Ethernet, USB Wi-Fi adapter, and iPhone hotspot connection all worked normally. After bringing the exact same setup home, Ethernet frequently reports "Network cable unplugged" or "Unidentified network," while Wi-Fi either refuses to connect or connects briefly before dropping. Even the iPhone hotspot can fail when the phone is only 20–50 cm from the adapter.
The apartment Ethernet wall jack works with another person's laptop, and my phone connects to the apartment Wi-Fi without trouble. However, Windows sometimes shows "No internet, secured," and ipconfig reports IPv4 address 169.254.228.32 with no default gateway, suggesting DHCP is failing. I have already replaced the Ethernet cable, reinstalled network drivers, performed a network reset, removed the Wi-Fi extender, tested the hotspot at very close range, and ruled out VPNs and security software. Turning off a nearby microwave made no difference.
Could this be caused by apartment network access controls, DHCP or device registration, MAC restrictions, a problem upstream of the wall jack, Wi-Fi compatibility, RF interference, or physical damage that appeared during transport? What would be the best next test?
5 Answers
Since the same hardware worked at the shop but fails after moving, the location is an important clue. Ask neighbors or friends to test the apartment connection, and contact the apartment complex with the exact symptom: the PC receives a 169.254 address and no gateway while another laptop works. They can check the wall-jack uplink, DHCP service, and any device-registration requirement.
The wall jack may work for the other laptop while still having a problem upstream for your connection. Find out where that jack terminates and whether it connects to the building router, an extender, or a managed switch. Apartment networks sometimes restrict unknown MAC addresses or require each device to be authorized before DHCP will respond.
A full power cycle is worth trying: disconnect the PC from the wall network, shut it down, power off the relevant network equipment if you can access it, wait about 30 seconds, then power everything back up. It may clear a stuck port or lease, although building-managed equipment may require the property’s internet provider to do the reset.
Test several other devices on the same wall jack and apartment Wi-Fi, and compare whether they receive normal private IP addresses, gateways, and DNS servers. If multiple devices fail or cannot obtain DHCP leases, the apartment wiring or router is the likely culprit. If only this PC fails everywhere at home, have the shop retest the PC’s Ethernet port, USB adapter, and USB power management under load.
The 169.254.x.x address means Windows assigned itself an automatic address because it never received a DHCP lease. That points more toward the apartment’s network infrastructure, provisioning, or access requirements than an internet outage on the PC itself. Ask the building management whether devices must be registered or whether there is a specific router or wall-jack configuration required.
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