How to fix 'No Internet Access' error on Ethernet connection in Windows

 Try these tips to get your Ethernet connection working on your Windows PC!

1. Rule out router problems

Before troubleshooting your PC, you should rule out any problems with the router. To test, disconnect the Ethernet cable from the computer and connect it to another device if possible.

If you have similar problems with other devices or have errors with your Wi-Fi connection, your router may be the culprit. In most cases, simply restarting the router can fix the problem. If not, you may have to update your router's firmware or contact your ISP (Internet Service Provider) for help.

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2. Run the Network and Internet troubleshooter

If the router is not having problems, you can try running the "Network and Internet" troubleshooter on Windows. This tool will scan the system for common Internet-related problems and attempt to fix them.

To run the Network and Internet troubleshooter, follow these steps:

1. Press Win + I to and go to System > Troubleshoot .
2. Select Other troubleshooters .
3. Click the Run button next to Network and Internet and follow the on-screen prompts to run the troubleshooter.

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3. Restart or update the Ethernet driver

Turning the Ethernet adapter off and back on is an effective way to fix any temporary glitches that may be causing problems. Here's how:

1. Press Win + R to .
2. Type devmgmt.msc in the box and press Enter .
3. Expand Network adapters , right-click the problematic driver and select Disable device .
4. Wait a few seconds, right-click the Ethernet driver again and select Enable device .

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If the problem persists, you can try updating the Ethernet driver using Device Manager. This will fix problems caused by faulty or outdated drivers.

If it still doesn't work, the Ethernet driver may be damaged. To fix it, uninstall the Ethernet driver and restart your PC. Windows will automatically install the missing driver during the boot process and Ethernet will start working again.

4. Change Network Profile and turn off Metered Connection

Changing the network configuration on Windows and turning off the Metered Connection option can also help resolve issues restricting Internet access on Ethernet connections.

To do this, open the Settings app and go to Network and Internet > Ethernet . Then, turn off the Metered Connection toggle and change the Network profile from Public to Private .

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Then, restart your PC, disconnect and reconnect the Ethernet cable properly, and check if that fixes the problem.

5. Change DNS Server and clear DNS Cache

By default, Windows uses DNS Server provided by ISP. Problems with the default DNS Server can sometimes result in slow or no Internet connection. You can try switching to a more reliable DNS Server, such as Cloudflare or Google DNS, to fix this problem.

To change DNS Server, enter ncpa.cpl in the search box and press Enter. In the Network Connections window , right-click the Ethernet adapter and select Properties. Then, double-click Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) , select the Use the following DNS server addresses option and enter the DNS addresses in the relevant fields.

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For example, if you want to use Google DNS, enter 8.8.8.8 as the primary DNS Server and 8.8.4.4 as the secondary DNS server.

After changing the default server, make sure to clear the DNS cache to remove old and invalid entries. Windows can now connect to the Internet without any problems.

6. Reset network settings

If none of the above fixes work and you still see the "No Internet Access" error, consider resetting your network settings. Doing so will restore all network settings on your PC to default, resolving any problems you are having.

To reset network settings on Windows, open the Settings app and go to Network & internet > Advanced network settings > Network reset and click Reset now .

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Although Ethernet connections are often more reliable than Wi-Fi, they can still experience problems from time to time. Hopefully, the tips listed above have helped fix the problem you are having and you were able to re-establish your Internet connection.

Isabella Humphrey

Update 02 August 2024