My Ethernet Port Stopped Working After a Lightning Strike—What Should I Do?
Asked by
CuriousCoder77
Hey folks, so here's the situation: I had a lightning strike hit my yard, and now my computer's Ethernet port is acting up. In Device Manager, there's this yellow triangle with an exclamation mark on the Ethernet connection, and since I can't connect to the internet, I can't update the drivers or really troubleshoot properly. I just got a new router, and a tech guy came to reset everything, so I know it's not the Ethernet cables since they work fine on my Xbox. My setup is Windows 10 on an Intel i7-7700k with an Asus Prime Z270 motherboard.
If the Ethernet port is fried, what do I need to replace? Would getting a WiFi adapter be a better or cheaper option? By the way, everything else in my computer seems fine—thank goodness for surge protection!
Oh, and I've tried a few network reset methods like uninstalling drivers and reinstalling them on a restart. Just to keep everyone updated!
Answers
If it turns out your Ethernet port is fried, you'll need to get a Network Interface Card (NIC). They're super affordable, just make sure you have an available slot in your motherboard. Alternatively, if you'd prefer going wireless, a USB WiFi adapter is another good route.
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GadgetGuru99: Or you can get a USB to Ethernet adapter for solid speeds. They're pretty handy!