Ethernet cables are known for providing a stable and strong network connection.
However, sometimes you can have your ethernet cable connected but no internet access is available, which can be incredibly frustrating as it causes disruptions when working from home or streaming.
Damaged ethernet ports and cables are the main causes of not having internet access through an ethernet connection.
Other reasons may be software or hardware problems such as outdated firmware or drivers.
Thankfully, there are various things that you can do to fix this issue of no internet access through an ethernet connection like restarting your devices, running the Windows network troubleshooter, checking the DNS settings, and checking if your operating system needs updating.
An alternative solution is contacting your internet service provider if you are not able to connect to the internet using the ethernet cables as they will help you find a solution.
Causes For No Internet Through My Ethernet Connection
Is your ethernet cable plugged in but you do not have an internet connection on your computer or mobile device?
The following are some of the reasons why your ethernet connection has failed:
- Issues with the ethernet cable – even though ethernet cables are pretty robust, sometimes the cable can be ripped or damaged. This will interrupt the connection between the router and your device, preventing the DHCP from correctly giving you an IP address.
- Network drivers are expired – if the software needed to establish and maintain a solid connection has issues, you will experience no internet connection even if the ethernet cable is connected.
- Various malware and viruses – malware programs and antivirus blocks may stop your internet connection regardless of whether you are connected through WiFi or have an ethernet cable plugged in.
- Other causes include:
- Broken ethernet port.
- Incorrect network settings.
- Loose connectivity from either your computer or router.
- Incompatible IP address.
- Internet outage on the ISP’s end.
- Outdated firmware on your modem or router.
- The operating system needs updating.
Easy Fixes For No Internet Through Ethernet Cable
Before troubleshooting, you need to find out whether the issue of no internet is caused by the router or the device you are trying to connect.
You can do this by connecting another device to the same ethernet cable and test it.
If the device establishes an internet connection, then the issue you are having is caused by a specific device.
However, if the other devices are not able to establish connections and behave the same way, then the issue is with the router or the ethernet cable.
Whichever the cause of the problem is, here are the different ways that you can fix the no internet issue:
1. Restart Your Modem/Router and Computer
Before trying any complicated solutions, the first thing that you need to do is restart your computer or router/modem to enable them to go through a soft reset that may be needed for internet access.
You can follow the steps below to reset your modem/router and computer:
- Turn off your computer.
- Turn off your modem/router and unplug them from the power source.
- Leave them disconnected for a few minutes.
- Plug the power cable back into the modem/router and switch on the computer.
- Ensure that the ethernet cable is still connected to the computer and check if the problem has been fixed.
If you have followed the above steps and your modem and computer are reset, but still receiving the ‘no internet access’, you should try the next step.
2. Check For Damaged Ethernet Port
You should inspect the ethernet ports on your router or modem, and computer to see whether they are damaged. If the ports are not in good condition, then this may be the reason why you do not have internet access.
Additionally, you should check if the ports allow the ethernet cable to be firmly plugged into the modem or router, computer, and wall outlet.
If they are attached properly, you can try disconnecting the ethernet cables from your computer and router and then plug them back in. Then, check your computer to see if there is an internet connection established.
If there is no connection, try connecting the ethernet cable to your computer using a different port and check if the problem is solved. If the ports are damaged or your hardware is faulty, you should replace them immediately.
If you suspect no issue with the ports, you should inspect the ethernet cable.
3. Examine the Ethernet Cable
The ethernet cable is a crucial part of successful internet connection and access. Therefore, you need to ensure that it is working properly by running the following checks:
- Inspect the cable for any signs of damage.
- To establish a firm connection, unplug and re-plug the ethernet cable a few times.
- Connect the cable to another computer to check if it is a device issue.
- Connect the ethernet cable using a different port.
Additionally, there are restrictions concerning the length of the ethernet cable, which indicate that the cable should be less than 328 feet for it to properly work.
Cables that exceed this length may struggle to provide a secure internet connection without any interruptions.
You can fix this by replacing the cable with a shorter, high-quality cable. Also, you should tighten any loose connections and double-check the splitters and connectors.
4. Enable and Disable the Ethernet Cable on Your Computer
Another possible solution is to ensure your ethernet cable is enabled on your computer, as sometimes it may be disabled.
However, if it is enabled and is not providing an internet connection, you should disable it, wait a few minutes, then enable it again.
To enable the ethernet cable, follow the steps below:
For Windows OS
- Open ‘Start’ and in the search bar type ‘Network Connection’.
- Check the status of the ethernet cable.
- If it is disabled, you should right-click on the ethernet and then tap on ‘Enable’. Now check if there is access to the internet. If not, go to the next step.
- If the ethernet is enabled but you see ‘Unidentified Network’, you should right-click and tap on ‘Disable’.
- Once again right-click and select ‘Enable’.
For Mac OS
- Tap on the WiFi icon.
- Select ‘Open Network Preferences’.
- Check the status of the ethernet.
- If it is disabled, then right-click and choose ‘Enable’. Check whether you have access to the internet.
- If the ethernet is enabled, you should disable it and give it a few minutes before enabling it again.
If this step does not resolve the issue, try the next solution.
5. Run the Windows Network Troubleshooter
Follow the steps below to run the network troubleshooter on Windows OS:
- Tap on ‘Start’ and then open ‘Settings’.
- Under Settings, tap on ‘Update and Security’ and then choose ‘Troubleshoot’.
- Then tap on ‘Additional Troubleshooters’.
- Click ‘Internet Connection’ and choose ‘Run the troubleshooter’.
- Follow the instructions for troubleshooting and check if the problem has been fixed.
- Restart your computer and you should now have internet access.
If this solution does not work, try the next one.
6. Check Your DNS Settings and Confirm Your IP Configuration Is Correct
The DNS configuration is what enables you to have access to the internet. It plays an important role and may be the reason why you do not have internet access. Here are the steps for checking your DNS settings:
- Press ‘Win+R’ on your Windows computer to open ‘Run’.
- Type ‘ncpa.cpl’ and then tap on ‘Enter’ on the keyboard.
- Right-click on the ‘Network Connection’ which is the ethernet connection and then choose ‘Properties’.
- Double click on ‘Internet Protocol Version 4(TCP/IPv4)’.
- Then ensure that you select ‘Obtain DNS server address automatically’ and ‘Obtain an IP address automatically’ and then click ‘Ok’.
- Check if this resolves your problem and if not, you continue to the next step.
- Tap on ‘Use the following DNS server addresses’ and use the Google public DNS server addresses, which are 8.8.4.4 and 8.8.8.8.
- Click ‘Ok’ and see whether you have access to the internet.
If the issue persists after finishing the steps above, you should change your ethernet connection’s IP address manually.
Before changing, ensure that the format of the IP address is correct. It is recommended that you allow your computer to automatically obtain the IP address.
7. Reset Your Network Settings
You can solve this issue by resetting your network to default settings through the following steps:
- Open ‘Run’ by pressing ‘Win + R’ on your keyboard.
- On the Run application, type ‘Cmd’ and press ‘Ctrl + Shift + Enter’ on the keyboard.
- In the command prompt enter the commands below:
ipconfig / flushdns
ipconfig / renew
ipconfig / registerdns
- Close the command prompts and then restart your computer. Check if the problem has been solved.
If resetting your network does not solve the problem, you should check the Windows OS updates.
8. Check For Windows Operating System Updates
Feature updates are necessary when dealing with Windows operating systems and if they are ignored, the OS will start misbehaving.
Therefore, you should check for updates to ensure that this is not preventing you from accessing the internet. Follow the steps below to do this:
- Open ‘Settings’ and select ‘Update &Security’.
- Click on ‘Windows Update’.
This process will check if your Windows operating system has any updates, and if there are you should install them. This may help resolve the problem.
9. Install New Drivers
Updated software and a decent ethernet cable that enables communication with your router are needed for a stable and quick internet connection.
This software is the network driver and should be updated regularly for the router to have optimal operation.
You can manually update the network drivers by downloading the most recent version on your device and installing it. Also, you can uninstall and re-install the drivers as it may solve this issue.
10. Scan For Malware
Apart from software issues, you should also check your anti-virus software to ensure that it is updated.
Additionally, you should check your device for any viruses and malware that may be causing a disruption to your connection and preventing your ethernet cable from properly working.
However, you should remember that the firewall settings may be causing the anti-virus application to have connectivity problems. Switch the anti-virus temporarily and reconnect it to ensure that it is not the cause of the problem.
If the anti-virus is the issue, you should buy high-quality anti-virus software that will protect your device as well as not interrupt any connection that you may want to establish through the ethernet cable.
11. Contact Your Service Provider
If none of the above methods provide a solution, the final thing that you need to do is contact your internet service provider to see if they can give you a different solution that you may not have thought of.
You can contact them by phone or on their website. A technician will get in touch with you and may inform you if the provider is having maintenance work done on their network which may be causing the problem.
In addition, they will send a professional to your home so that they can inspect the problem and recommend what to do which may include buying a new cable or router.
FAQ
Does Windows Prioritize Ethernet Over WiFi?
Generally, Windows will prioritize Ethernet over WiFi connections. This means that if you were connected to the WiFi and then establish a wired connection, the WiFi icon should disappear in favor of the wired connection.
If this does not happen, you can disable the WiFi by clicking on the WiFi icon, or you may need to enable the Ethernet connection via the Network Connections icon.
What If Neither Your Ethernet Nor Your WiFi Connection Is Working?
The issue may be with your router, modem or client device, so you should run a few troubleshooting options and see if the issue is resolved.
First, you should restart your router and modem. Once rebooted see if the issue is resolved.
If not, you can check the cable connections, run a power cycle or a factory reset. If the issue persists, there may be a local internet service provider outage.
As a last resort, you can also contact your ISP customer service for more information.
Final Words
Having no internet access even if your ethernet cable is connected is a common problem that can easily be solved by following the steps mentioned in this article.
This issue can be caused by various things including incorrect network settings, loose connection, outdated firmware, internet outage, or incompatible IP address.
Checking whether the ethernet ports and cables are not damaged as well as resetting your devices can solve this problem. Additionally, you can install new drivers, update the software, or contact the internet service provider.
