How to fix no internet access on an ethernet connection on windows

Your ethernet connection appears to be detected by your device, but instead of “Connected,” He says “No internet access”? If so, then the device recognized the connection but for some reason, is unable to connect to the internet.



Outdated or incompatible network drivers, incorrect DNS settings, misconfigured network settings, or a router problem usually cause this problem. If you want to fix this problem and connect to the internet again, here are some solutions you can try.


1. Make sure your router is not faulty

Check if the issue under discussion occurs with only one device or other devices as well before starting the troubleshooting process. To check this, unplug the Ethernet cable from your device and plug it into another device at home (assuming you have one).

If the problem persists on the other device, connect the other device via Wi-Fi to the same internet connection.

modern wifi router placed on a table

If you see the same error on your Wi-Fi connection, the problem is likely with your router or ISP. If so, follow the instructions below to rule out problems with your router.

2. Rule out router problems

To make sure the problem isn’t with your router, follow these steps:

  • Restart your router once to make sure a temporary problem didn’t cause the issue under discussion.
  • Next, update your router’s firmware, which often fixes most network problems.
  • Log into your router’s admin interface and check for blacklisted or blocked clients. Unlock your device if it’s locked there.
  • Some routers allow parents to manage Internet access for their chosen devices to limit their children to use the Internet only during specific times. Make sure you haven’t accidentally set this limit for your device.
  • Reset your router settings and set it up again.

If none of the above fixes the problem and you suspect that the problem may be with the router, have it inspected.

3. Troubleshoot the Ethernet connection

Ethernet connection ports with cables plugged into a router

If the other device successfully connects to the internet via wifi in the previous step but not via ethernet, there may be a problem with the ethernet connection, not the internet connection, which requires further investigation.

To rule out temporary problems with the connection, turn off the Ethernet adapter and then turn it back on. Also, make sure the Ethernet connection isn’t loose; Unplug the Ethernet cable from the router and the device, then plug it back in. Also, carefully inspect the cable for any damage.

4. Rule out operating system problems

If the Ethernet connection works fine on other devices but not on the primary one, the most probable cause could be a misconfiguration of the system settings or some other operating system problem. If so, apply all the Windows-specific fixes listed below:

  • Give your operating system a fresh start by eliminating temporary problems.
  • Disable Wi-Fi and airplane mode if you have them enabled.
  • Plug the Ethernet cable into a different port to make sure the cable isn’t plugged into a bad port. If changing the port restores the connection, it is likely that the port the cable was previously connected to is faulty. If this is the case, refer to our guide on how to fix a bad USB port.
  • Run the Internet Connections and Network Adapter troubleshooter, as these usually fix network connection problems. If you’re not familiar with how to run them, refer to our guide on how to run any troubleshooter in Windows 10 and 11.
  • Remove the Ethernet driver from Device Manager, under Network adapters, to allow Windows to install it from scratch. If you need help uninstalling it, refer to our guide on how to uninstall drivers in Windows.

If the above fixes do not help and the problem persists, apply the remaining fixes.

5. Edit the network profile and disable metered connection

Changing the network profile and turning off metered connection can also help resolve the issue under discussion. Therefore, you should make these changes in the Ethernet connection settings.

In Windows 10, open the file Settings apps, click Networks and the internetTo select Ethernet from the left sidebar and select your Ethernet network connection. Turn off the Measured connection activate and change the Network profile from Public TO Private.

Edit the network profile and disable metered connection in the Windows settings

To make both of these changes in Windows 11, go to Settings > Networks and the internet > Ethernet.

disable metered connection in Windows settings

After that, restart your device once to make sure the changes take effect.

6. Change your DNS settings and flush your DNS cache

Cables connected to an example DNS server

DNS acts as the backbone of your internet connection and translates domain names into IP addresses. If you haven’t changed your DNS since your ISP set up your connection, you’re probably still using the DNS server your ISP assigned you initially.

If that DNS server is unreliable and crashes from time to time, you may have trouble connecting to the internet. The best way to avoid this is to change your DNS server to a more stable and reliable one. In this regard, Cloudflare and Google DNS servers are the best options.

Also, you should flush your DNS cache to remove old and incorrect entries. Both steps will improve your internet reachability, allowing you to connect to the internet properly.

7. Reset network settings

windows 11 network reset from settings

If none of the above fixes work and you still see the internet access error, then you need to reset your network. Resetting your network resets your network settings to their defaults, which may fix any network issues you’re having. However, you need to keep in mind that the reset process will reset your network configuration and restore the default settings.

If you don’t mind, follow the instructions in our guide on how to reset network settings in Windows 11 (or Windows 10) to see if resetting the network fixes the problem.

Easily connect your device to an Ethernet connection

Seeing your Ethernet connected but not being able to access the internet can cause us to lose our cool. Hopefully, the above fixes will help you resolve the issue and start using the internet again. If none of the fixes work and you need help figuring out the problem, contact your ISP and ask them to diagnose and fix the problem.

#fix #internet #access #ethernet #connection #windows
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