How to Fix Windows 10 Ethernet That Is Not Working

Introduction

Do you use a windows 10 computer at your workplace or you are a student who uses the internet to search for solutions to school assignments, but having issues connecting to the internet on your computer? Perhaps you have searched online with this search query, windows 10 Ethernet not working. 

In this article, we shall examine different ways of fixing Windows 10 Ethernet that is not working.

I would implore you to keep on reading so that you can learn the simple steps and apply them.

Method 1: Check if the Ethernet cable is correctly connected

Many PC owners would want to argue that their cable is always rightly connected but first and foremost, to clear every doubt, check if your Ethernet cable is rightly connected.

To fix this issue of windows 10 Ethernet not working using this method, apply the following ideas: 

Step 1: Take a close look at the back of your PC and try to find if the cable is firmly connected

Step 2: If it’s loosened, try to unplug and plug back again

Step 3: Check your modem as well and perform the same procedure

Method 2: Disable Antivirus/Firewall temporarily

Some antivirus programs, because of security, block access to the internet at times. So, in an attempt to solve the issue of windows 10 Ethernet not working, try and disable your antivirus temporarily.

Try the following steps.

Step 1: Go to Start Menu on taskbar

Step 2: Go to Windows Firewall

Step 3: Click on Turn Windows Firewall on/off

Step 4: Click OK and confirm

After following these steps, go back to the desktop and try browsing.

Method 3: Clear your Browsing History

Many PC users are found of surfing the internet regularly without clearing their browsing history this could pose problem to your internet connectivity at any time. So, in making efforts to solve the issue of windows 10 Ethernet not working, try and clear your browsing history.

For Google Chrome;

Step 1: Open the Chrome Browser

Step 2: Click on the three dots on the upper-right corner 

Step 3: Click Settings

Step 4: Click Show advanced settings

Step 5: Click Clear Browsing Data

Step 6: Some options will pop up. Carefully choose the ones you want to remove.

Step 7: Carefully look at the “Obliterate the following items from”. Click the drop-down menu to choose from the past hour, the past day, the past week, the last 4 weeks, and the beginning of time. We strongly recommend to choose the beginning of time to clear all browsing history data.

Step 8: Click Clear browsing data

Step 9: Close the browser. 

Step 10: Relaunch the browser and try to connect to the internet.

For Internet Explorer;

Step 1: Open the IE Browser

Step 2: Click Tools 

Step 3: Under Browsing History, there are two choices, Delete and Settings

Step 4: To delete browsing history, click delete

Step 5: Click Ok and confirm

Step 6: Go back to desktop and check if the issue has been resolved.

For Opera Browser;

Step 1: Open the Opera Browser

Step 2: Click Settings

Step 3: Click Privacy & Security on the left sidebar

Step 4: Click Clear Browsing History

Step 5: Choose from the delete options e.g past hour, past week etc.

Step 6: Go back to desktop and check if the issue has been resolved.

For Firefox Browser;

Step 1: Open the Firefox Browser

Step 2: Click Settings

Step 3: Click History

Step 4: Click Recent History

Step 5: Choose from the delete options

Step 5: Click Clear Now

Step 6: Click Clear browsing data

Step 7: Go back to desktop and check if the issue has been resolved.

Method 4: Visit your Device Manager to check if Ethernet is enabled

Sometimes after an update, the PC will fail to turn on the Ethernet adapter and this will hinder your connection to the internet. So, as you try to fix the issue of windows 10 Ethernet not working, try and check if the Ethernet adapter is turned on.

How can you get to your device manger and check? Take the following steps.

Step 1: Click Start menu on the taskbar

Step 2: Right-click This PC on the left panel 

Step 3: Click Manage

Step 4: Click Device Manager

Step 5: Choose Network Adapters drop-down arrow

Step 5: Right click the name of your Network adapter, if you see the enable option, click it to turn it on.

Step 6: Go back to desktop and check if the issue has been resolved.

However, the issue might still persist, even after applying the steps above. Therefore, if this is the case, then you will need to update your driver. An outdated driver can affect internet connection. 

To update your driver, you can try the following steps:

Step 1: Go to your Device Manager

Step 2: Click the drop-down arrow to expand Network Adapters 

Step 3: Click Update device software. Here, you can search for the latest version

Step 4: Go back to desktop and check if the issue has been resolved.

Method 7: Contact a tech service

If all your efforts of fixing the issue of windows 10 Ethernet not working proved abortive, then you will be left with no choice than to contact a tech service or a service center to check your PC, peradventure the issue is on the hardware. 

Different things could make Windows 10 Ethernet not to work. This could be a bad Ethernet cable, modem issue, service provider problem, and it could also be hardware issue. 

Therefore, if this is the case, then the affected parts need to be replaced. Additionally, try and much as possible to take your PC to a service center where their engineers are very competent.

We recommend that you apply all the methods given above and follow the steps as highlighted and explained. We believe this article has helped you a lot in your attempt to solve the issue of windows 10 Ethernet not working.