I'm having trouble with my PC's Ethernet connection. It worked fine when I was using Wi-Fi, but when I switched to Ethernet, I lost internet access. The Ethernet cable is physically connected, but it seems like it's not communicating with the DHCP server. Windows shows a diagnosis saying it "can't reach the DHCP server."
In my router's settings, it looks like my Ethernet-connected PC isn't being recognized, while my phone appears to be getting a proper IP address with the DHCP setting. The PC, however, shows line after line of blanks, with an unusual IP format. I've tried manually setting the IP in Windows and in the router without success.
Could this issue be related to my motherboard, router, or is it the old Ethernet cable that's causing problems? I'd appreciate any help!
6 Answers
You might want to take a look in the Device Manager on your PC. Make sure the PCIe LAN adapter is enabled—sometimes that can get accidentally switched off.
Could you run the command 'ipconfig /all' in your Command Prompt? It might help diagnose the issue further. If your PC doesn't have a valid MAC address, that could definitely be an issue too. Also, double-check your router for MAC address reservation settings—it might be preventing the PC from getting an IP. And yeah, testing with a different cable is a good idea just to rule that out!
First off, try rebooting your PC to refresh the network settings. Also, double-check to make sure your LAN cable is secured and not loose. If that cable is really old and has connection issues, consider swapping it out for a newer one and connect directly to the router.
Check the Ethernet properties on your PC. Make sure that DNS isn't set to something strange and that DHCP is enabled. It should be set to automatically obtain IP and DNS addresses, especially if you're using a DHCP server.
Don't forget to restart your router! Sometimes a simple reboot can resolve lots of connectivity issues, including issues with DHCP.
Another thing to check is the BIOS settings on your PC. Ensure that the LAN option is enabled there, as sometimes it's turned off by default which can prevent any Ethernet connectivity.
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