11 reasons why IP configuration doesn’t work in Windows 10 (and how to fix it)

IP configuration doesn’t work in Windows 10 — that frustrating state where your PC won’t get a valid IP address, can’t connect to the router, or shows errors like “Unidentified network” or “No Internet.” The causes range from simple misconfigured settings to driver problems or a failing router. In this article you’ll learn the most common reasons this happens and step-by-step fixes to restore network connectivity.

Key Takeaway

Most IP configuration problems are resolved by ensuring the adapter is enabled, the DHCP client is running, and the TCP/IP stack is reset (use ipconfig /release, ipconfig /renew, netsh int ip reset, netsh winsock reset); if those don’t work, update drivers and check router/ISP hardware.

Quick Fix Guide

Quick Fix Guide

Reason for the Problem	Quick Solution
1. Network adapter is disabled	Re-enable the adapter in Settings > Network & Internet > Change adapter options.
2. Incorrect static IP settings	Switch IPv4 to Obtain an IP address automatically in adapter properties.
3. DHCP Client service stopped	Restart and set DHCP Client to automatic in services.msc.
4. Corrupted TCP/IP stack or Winsock	Run netsh int ip reset and netsh winsock reset, then reboot.
5. Faulty/outdated network driver	Update or reinstall the adapter driver from Device Manager.
6. Third-party firewall/AV blocking	Temporarily disable third-party firewall/AV and test connectivity.
7. Router/modem or ISP issues	Reboot router/modem; check ISP status or connect another device.
8. Physical cable or Wi‑Fi signal issues	Swap cable, test another port, or move closer to Wi‑Fi AP.
9. DNS resolution problems	Set DNS to public servers (e.g., 8.8.8.8, 1.1.1.1) or flush cache with ipconfig /flushdns.
10. Power management turning off adapter	Disable “allow the computer to turn off this device” in Device Manager > Power Management.
11. VPN/virtual adapter conflicts or recent updates	Disable virtual adapters or roll back recent network-related updates.

Detailed Fixes for “IP configuration doesn’t work in Windows 10”

H3: 1. Network adapter is disabled
Why it causes the problem:
If the adapter is disabled, Windows cannot send or receive network traffic, so it won’t obtain an IP address.

Step-by-step solution:

1. Open Settings > Network & Internet.
2. Click Change adapter options (or press Win + R, type ncpa.cpl, Enter).
3. Right-click the listed adapter (Ethernet or Wi‑Fi) and select Enable if it shows Disabled.
4. If it toggles frequently, right-click > Diagnose to run Windows troubleshooter.

Tip: If enabling fails, check Device Manager to ensure the adapter is present and not flagged with a yellow triangle.

H3: 2. Incorrect static IP settings
Why it causes the problem:
A wrong IP, subnet mask, default gateway, or DNS prevents proper addressing and routing.

Step-by-step solution:

1. Open Control Panel > Network and Internet > Network and Sharing Center.
2. Click Change adapter settings > right-click adapter > Properties.
3. Select Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) and click Properties.
4. Choose Obtain an IP address automatically and Obtain DNS server address automatically, or enter correct static values supplied by your network admin.
5. Click OK and test connectivity.

Note: If you must use static addressing, confirm the IP is in the router’s subnet and not conflicting with another device.

H3: 3. DHCP Client service stopped
Why it causes the problem:
DHCP Client is the Windows service that requests IP addresses from the router; if it’s stopped, automatic addressing fails.

Step-by-step solution:

1. Press Win + R, type services.msc, and press Enter.
2. Find DHCP Client, double-click it.
3. Ensure Startup type is Automatic and click Start if the service is stopped.
4. Also check DNS Client and Network Location Awareness are running.

Tip: If the service won’t start, check Event Viewer for errors (Event Viewer > Windows Logs > System).

H3: 4. Corrupted TCP/IP stack or Winsock
Why it causes the problem:
Corrupted stack entries or Winsock problems disrupt IP communication and name resolution.

Step-by-step solution:

1. Open Command Prompt as Administrator (right-click Start > Command Prompt (Admin) or Windows PowerShell (Admin)).
2. Run these commands one at a time:
   • ipconfig /release
   • ipconfig /flushdns
   • ipconfig /renew
   • netsh int ip reset
   • netsh winsock reset
3. Restart the PC.

Note: netsh int ip reset creates a log and resets TCP/IP registry keys; it’s safe but will remove any custom static settings.

H3: 5. Faulty or outdated network drivers
Why it causes the problem:
Drivers provide the interface between Windows and the hardware; outdated or corrupt drivers can block IP negotiation.

Step-by-step solution:

1. Press Win + X > Device Manager.
2. Expand Network adapters, right-click your adapter and choose Update driver.
3. Select Search automatically for updated driver software or download the latest from the manufacturer’s site (Intel, Realtek, Broadcom, etc.).
4. If updating doesn’t help, right-click > Uninstall device (check Delete the driver software for this device if present) and then reboot — Windows will reinstall the driver.
5. If a recent driver broke connectivity, right-click > Properties > Driver tab > Roll Back Driver.

Tip: Use the vendor’s driver matching your exact network adapter model.

H3: 6. Third-party firewall or antivirus blocking network
Why it causes the problem:
Security software can block DHCP or DHCP-related packets, or otherwise prevent the adapter from communicating with the router.

Step-by-step solution:

1. Temporarily disable the third-party firewall/antivirus per vendor instructions.
2. Test network connectivity. If it works, reconfigure the security app to allow DHCP, DNS, and network traffic or replace it.
3. Alternatively, remove the security software and test, then reinstall a properly configured version.

Warning: Only disable security software temporarily for testing; re-enable it or use Windows Defender if you remove third-party protection.

H3: 7. Router/modem or ISP issues
Why it causes the problem:
If the router’s DHCP server is down or the ISP link is broken, clients won’t receive a valid IP.

Step-by-step solution:

1. Reboot the router and modem (power off 30 seconds, power on).
2. Connect another device to the router to verify if the issue is device-specific.
3. Access the router’s admin page (typically 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1) and check DHCP settings.
4. If router firmware is old, update it per manufacturer guidance.
5. Contact your ISP if multiple devices fail to obtain an IP.

Tip: Look for LED indicators on modem/router showing WAN link status.

H3: 8. Physical cable or Wi‑Fi signal problems
Why it causes the problem:
A damaged Ethernet cable, bad switch port, or weak Wi‑Fi means frames aren’t delivered reliably, preventing IP assignment.

Step-by-step solution:

1. For Ethernet: replace the cable and try a different router/switch port.
2. For Wi‑Fi: move closer to the access point, remove interference, or forget and reconnect to the SSID (Settings > Network & Internet > Wi‑Fi > Manage known networks > Forget).
3. Test using another device or USB Wi‑Fi adapter to isolate hardware faults.

H3: 9. DNS resolution problems
Why it causes the problem:
Even with a valid IP you may appear to have “no internet” if DNS fails; sometimes incorrect DNS entries make web names unreachable.

Step-by-step solution:

1. Open Command Prompt and run ipconfig /flushdns.
2. In adapter properties (see earlier), open IPv4 properties and set Preferred DNS to 8.8.8.8 and Alternate DNS to 1.1.1.1 for testing.
3. Use nslookup example.com to test DNS resolution.

Tip: If DNS works but websites are slow, try different public DNS or your ISP’s recommended DNS.

H3: 10. Power management turning off the adapter
Why it causes the problem:
Windows may power down the adapter to save power, which can break DHCP renewals.

Step-by-step solution:

1. Open Device Manager > expand Network adapters.
2. Right-click adapter > Properties > Power Management tab.
3. Uncheck Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power.
4. Click OK and reboot.

H3: 11. VPN/virtual adapter conflicts or recent updates
Why it causes the problem:
VPN clients and virtual adapters (Hyper-V, VirtualBox) can add routes or bridge interfaces that interfere with DHCP and IP selection. Recent Windows updates may also change network behavior.

Step-by-step solution:

1. Open Control Panel > Network and Sharing Center > Change adapter settings.
2. Disable any virtual adapters (right-click > Disable) or uninstall a VPN to test.
3. If the problem started after an update, use Settings > Update & Security > View update history > Uninstall updates to remove the offending patch or use System Restore.
4. After disabling virtual adapters, run ipconfig /renew.

Note: Re-enable adapters after troubleshooting if needed.

Additional: Prevention and When to Seek Help

Prevention tips:

• Keep network drivers and router firmware updated.
• Use DHCP for most home networks to avoid address conflicts.
• Maintain a spare Ethernet cable and test ports to quickly rule out hardware.
• Use reliable security software that doesn’t block DHCP/DNS.

When to seek help:

• If multiple devices fail on the same network, contact your ISP.
• If you suspect hardware failure (adapter or router), test with alternate hardware or consult a technician.
• For complex corporate networks, involve your network administrator before changing IP schemes.

FAQ

Q: Will performing a network reset remove my Wi‑Fi passwords?
A: Yes — Settings > Network & Internet > Status > Network reset will remove saved Wi‑Fi networks and VPN connections; back up any needed info first.

Q: Can malware cause IP configuration problems?
A: Yes — some malware alters network settings, DNS, or installs malicious network drivers; run a full scan with updated antivirus and a second-opinion scanner (e.g., Malwarebytes).

Q: How do I check whether the DHCP server assigned an IP?
A: Open Command Prompt and run ipconfig /all; check if IPv4 Address, DHCP Enabled: Yes, and DHCP Server fields are present.

Q: Does IPv6 conflict cause IPv4 IP configuration issues?
A: Not usually, but misconfigured IPv6 may affect routing in complex setups; disable IPv6 temporarily in adapter properties to test if suspect.

Q: Will resetting TCP/IP remove custom firewall rules or port forwards?
A: netsh int ip reset and netsh winsock reset won’t change router port forwards, but they can clear local network customizations; backup any manual settings before resetting.

Conclusion

IP problems in Windows 10 are usually fixed by enabling the adapter, ensuring DHCP and DNS services run, and resetting the TCP/IP stack; driver updates and router checks cover most remaining cases. If you follow the steps above, you’ll resolve most instances of IP configuration doesn’t work in Windows 10 quickly and safely.