Ethernet connection or wired connection is better as compared to WiFi, in my opinion, but then like everything else, an Ethernet connection can stop working. If you do not have an alternate way to connect, the only way out is to fix the Ethernet connection. In this post, we will show what you can do when your Ethernet doesn’t connect to the Internet in Windows 10.

How to fix Ethernet connection in Windows 10

Ethernet connection not working in Windows 10

There can be several reasons for the Ethernet connection to break. It can be a rouge driver, Windows Update causing problems, or it can be the problem with the Internet itself. Let’s take a look at multiple scenarios to fix Network and Internet Settings.

Check Ethernet cable connection
Enable Ethernet in Windows
Ensure the Internet is working
Update Ethernet Drivers after Windows update
Disable and Review Firewall and VPN configuration
Use Windows Troubleshooter
Other Scenarios
- How to fix Unidentified Network in Windows 10
- DHCP is not Enabled? How to enable DHCP in Windows 10/8/7
- Windows could not automatically detect this network’s proxy settings
- Ethernet or WiFi doesn’t have a valid IP configuration in Windows 10
- Your connection was interrupted, A network change was detected.

1] Check Ethernet cable connection

It is one of the basic steps we ask when you cannot connect to the internet or when the Ethernet is showing you limited connectivity. Earlier Windows used to replace the connectivity icon in the system tray with a clear message that the ethernet cable is not connected. The same applied to Wifi. Now all you get to see a globe icon which says “Not connected – No connections are available“.

It’s confusing, so check if the Ethernet cable is connected correctly. If it’s connected to the router, make sure the router is turned on. An alternate way is to go to Control Panel\All Control Panel Items\Network Connections and check if any of the Ethernet statuses says — Network cable unplugged.

If that’s connected, follow the next step.

2] Enable Ethernet in Windows to fix the problem

The same globe icon is displayed when the Ethernet connection is disabled in Windows 10. When I say disable, I mean that the device is disabled on the software level. Here is how to enable it

Open Settings (Win + I) and navigate to Network and Internet
Click on Change adapter options button
It will reveal the list of Ethernet connections available on the computer
Check if any of the Ethernet is greyed out. If yes it is disabled.
Right-click on it, and click on Enable.

It will restore the working status. If it’s enabled, and Ethernet is still not working and displays the Globe icon, we need to check if the Internet is working.

3] Ensure the Internet is working

Since neither the Ethernet adapter is disabled or network cable is unplugged, it brings to final basic testing—Is the Internet connection working fine. You will get the same globe icon when the internet is not working.

If it’s a modem, check if the supposed lights are turned on or if you have connected it to the router, check if you can access any website via your mobile device when connected over wifi.

Get in touch with your Internet provider to resolve the problem. The IP configuration or the username and password used to connect may have changed. If that’s the case, you need to update accordingly.

Related: Ethernet keeps disconnecting.

4] Update Ethernet Drivers after Windows update

Many a time the problem of ethernet connection occurs after a Windows update. It can be a feature update or a regular update. It usually happens when Windows wants network drivers to be updated so it can communicate properly. So if that’s the case, you need to update the network drives.

Open the Device manager by using Win + X + M
Expand the Network adapters section, and locate your network hardware.
Note the name of the Ethernet hardware. To find the exact name, right-click and select properties. The name should be upfront.
Since you cannot connect to the internet from here, use another computer to visit the OEM website and download the driver.
Copy the driver into a USB, and then copy it to the computer where the connection is not working correctly.
If the drive has a setup file, then double-click to install. If it’s an INF file, then follow this guide to update the driver.

Any driver issue will be resolved by updating the driver, and it should fix the Ethernet connection in Windows.

5] Disable and Review Firewall and VPN configuration

The Ethernet problem could be restricted to some applications or websites. It can happen because the Firewall blocks them. Follow our detailed guide on how to manage a Firewall, and allow applications to access the internet. You should also learn about Network Protection in Windows.

Most of the VPNs offer a disconnected mode which disrupts the connection on the device to make sure privacy remains intact. If you have selected the option, make sure that the VPN is working.

In the end, you need to make sure that the Firewall or the VPN does not block a particular application or the website is turned on.

6] Use Network Troubleshooter

The Network troubleshooter is an inbuilt solution that can fix small and medium issues on its own.

Open Settings, and navigate to Update & Security > Troubleshoot > Network Adapter
Select, and click on Run the troubleshooter button

If the problem is basic, it should be able to fix it.

7] Other scenarios to fix the Ethernet connection in Windows

Here is the list of some of the top network issues related to Ethernet we have covered. If any of these relates to your problem, learn to fix it.

We hope the tips were helpful to fix the Ethernet connection in Windows 10.