I've been using my Ethernet connection without any issues for the past year, but suddenly, about four nights ago, it just stopped working. My computer still recognizes it, but it won't connect to the network. After reinstalling the LAN drivers, it seemed to work for a couple of days, but then completely stopped appearing in both the Control Panel and Device Manager. My WiFi is operational but unreliable for gaming. The lights on the router show a quick flash of green followed by orange, and the same goes for my computer, but the Ethernet connection isn't detected at all. Here's my setup for reference:
**Specs:**
- Motherboard: Asrock B550M-C (updated firmware)
- CPU: AMD 7830X3D
- GPU: RTX 4070Ti
- Router: Bell Gigabyte WiFi with Giga hub (have a spare router of the same model that works)
**Things I've Tried:**
- Uninstalling and reinstalling LAN drivers via Device Manager and from Asrock's site.
- Tried various Ethernet cables which connect fine to my Xbox Series X.
- Used command prompts for networking resets (ipconfig and netsh commands).
- Updated and then downgraded the BIOS.
- Enabled and disabled the LAN option in BIOS settings.
- Attempted to view hidden devices in Device Manager with no success.
I also have an Ethernet USB dongle on the way from Amazon, but I'd love to find a fix before it arrives. Any help would be appreciated!
2 Answers
I had a similar issue a while back. What finally worked for me was uninstalling the network card in Device Manager, rebooting, and letting Windows automatically reinstall it. You mentioned trying various drivers, but sometimes the default ones that come with Windows do the trick. Just make sure to unplug the Ethernet cable while doing this to force it to reset upon boot up.
It sounds like you've done a ton of troubleshooting already! Since your Ethernet isn't even showing in Device Manager, it might be worth checking the network settings in your BIOS again to ensure the LAN is enabled. Sometimes a reset to factory settings can help if there’s a glitch. Also, double check that the cables are firmly connected both to the computer and the router. If you have another PC available, testing the Ethernet cable there could help rule out a cable issue.
Good point! If that doesn’t show any issues, you might want to try looking for any Windows updates that might have impacted drivers recently. Please keep us posted!
This worked for my friend as well! It's a bit of a hassle, but worth a try. Hopefully, the USB dongle arrives soon, too, just in case.