Is DHCP not working in Windows 11? While trying to renew the IP address, if you receive Unable to contact your DHCP Server error message on your Windows computer, then this post may be able to help you.
Expired IP addresses might interrupt your Internet connection. Thus, in such a situation, it is advised to release and renew the IP address.
The way to do this is to open an elevated Command Prompt window and type the following commands, press Enter after each:
ipconfig /release ipconfig /renew
Now if this does not work for you and upon trying to release or renew an IP address, you may see the following error:
Unable to contact your DHCP Server in Windows
The error means that the NIC cannot communicate with the DHCP Server and is thus unable to release new IP addresses. The causes for this issue could be many, and we will discuss them one by one with the solutions:
- Update the Network drivers
- Run the Network Adapter troubleshooter
- Start/Restart the DHCP client service.
Fix DHCP not working in Windows 11
1] Update the Network drivers
One of the main causes behind this issue is obsolete Network drivers. Thus, you could update the Network drivers before anything else.
Press Win + R to open the Run window and type the command devmgmt.msc. Press Enter to open the Device Manager.
In the Device Manager, expand the list of Network adapters. Right-click on the Broadcom Network Adapter option and select Update driver.
Once the driver has updated, restart the system.
Read: Disable or Enable DHCP for Ethernet or Wi-Fi in Windows
2] Run the Network Adapter troubleshooter
The Network Adapter troubleshooter checks for issues with the Network adapter and resolves them if possible. The procedure to run the Network Adapter troubleshooter is as follows:
Click on the Start button and then the gear-like symbol to open the Settings menu.
Go to Updates & Security > Troubleshoot. Select the Network Adapter troubleshooter and run it.
Restart the system once done.
Read: How to fix DHCP Lookup Failed.
3] Disable IPv6 on the connection which is active
At times, if IPv6 is enabled for active connections and that causes the problem. Thus, you could disable IPv6 as follows:
Press Win + R to open the Run window and type the command ncpa.cpl. Press Enter to open the Network Connections window. Right-click on the active Internet connection and select Properties.
In the list on the window, uncheck the box corresponding to Internet Protocol Version 6.
Hit OK to save the settings and restart the system.
Read: Failed to obtain IP address from DHCP Server
4] Start/Restart the DHCP client service
In case the DHCP client service is stopped or inactive, you could start/restart it from the Services Manager.
Press Win + R to open the Run window and type the command services.msc. Press Enter to open the Services Manager window.
In the list of services (which is arranged in alphabetical order), right-click on the service DHCP client and select Start/Restart.
Restart your system and check if it resolves the problem.
Read next: Can’t connect to your DHCP server error on Xbox.
