Windows 10: [solved] Ethernet doesn't have a valid IP configuration

To accept it it has to be the same architecture (32-bit or 64-bit) and for 64-bit it must also be signed.

 

How can I tell if it's signed? What if it's not, how do I get a signed one? And I'm not convinced it's that, anyway. It keeps telling me that I already have the correct driver installed ( Realtek ...FE, not the GBE that I'm trying to install)

 

If you try to force the wrong driver (not appropriate for your hardware) Windows just ignores it and tells you the driver for your device is already installed. Use a utility such as Aida64 or Speccy to identify your device exactly. The first category is speed. It can be either 10/100 (Fast Ethernet) or 10/10/100 (Gigabit Ethernet). The second category is type of connection to the computer. This is PCI (for older motherboards), PCIe (for newer motherboards) or more rarely USB (for some laptops). For example, the correct driver for Realtek RLT8111F (see my specs) is in Gigabit Ethernet, PCIe section. Once you have verified the exact model of your network card, visit Realtek and navigate to the appropriate section to download the latest driver. On the top of the download page you should see your model on the list. If you don't you are probably at the wrong section.

 

I was able to install the updated driver, but still no valid IP. I found out I have WiFi capability, but that also lacks an IP address, and there's no Gateway address either. I can use my tablet to connect to the internet, so my provider offers no help. Do you have any other ideas?

 

Do you have a spare disk? If you have or can borrow one, try a clean Windows 10 installation and see if problem is solved. If it is, I'm afraid the time has come for that format we always postpone... Backup your data and do a clean installation. If you don't have a spare disk, you can shrink the existing Windows partition (assuming there is enough free space), create a second partition and dual boot with a new Windows 10 installation to check for issues.

 

I am bumping this thread as I am having similar problems. This is on a computer not used for 3-4 weeks and when switched on today I had the message about no valid IP configuration. After reading this thread, I have disabled and enabled the Realtek controller to no effect. I also uninstalled the card, and the driver, and then 'searched for new hardware' to get it back again. No change. So then off to Realtek, get the latest driver and install that directly, also to no effect. In every case, the card is reported to be working properly and the green/amber LEDs on the card indicate activity of some kind.

It is frustrating as all other computers sharing the modem work fine - as the one I used after a month or so did last time I used it. Any further thoughts on what is happening here? And how to clear the problem?

 

As a Computer Technician I have seen many cases when some spyware messes with the network or security settings and completely blocks any access to the network. This could also be the result of a corrupt Antivirus or Firewall that overprotect the computer by cutting off any network access! Try disabling the Antivirus and/or Firewall. Does this makes any change? If the answer is yes, uninstall and reinstall your Antivirus or Firewall. It is possible that you can send and receive network packages (data) but some spyware has messed with the security settings and blocked access through your broswer. Try restoring your browser settings to default including disabling all add-ons and plugins. If you can access the internet try enabling them one-by-one to identify the culprit and then remove/uninstall it. If you still cannot access the internet, try to restart in Safe Mode. To do this in Windows 10, hold the SHIFT key and restart your computer. This will load the Advanced Boot Menu, select Safe Mode with networking (so you have internet access). Once in Safe Mode, confirm that you can access the internet (and so this is not a driver problem). If you can, then download and install Malwarebytes Antimalware. Load it, wait to update (do it manually if it doesn't automatically) and then do a full scan. Remove anything detected and restart your PC. Other software to try is your Antivirus, update it and do a full scan. If you don't have one, update Windows Defender and scan with that. I also use Spyware Hunter. If you find too many malwares, you better backup your data, format your disk and do a clean installation of Windows 10, just to be on the safe side.

PS: Forgot to mention that your IP settings should be set to DHCP (auto), unless otherwise recommended by your Network Administrator. In a home PC, always use DHCP, unless you know what you are doing. I have seen cases that someone configured a static IP (manual settings) in a PC at work. The same PC taken home cannot obviously connect to the router as it requires different settings. So before trying anything else make sure you use automatic settings (DHCP).

 

Thank you for this; I will start having a go ands let you know what I find.

A very helpful response, thanks.

 

spapakons

Success; I started to work my way through your suggestions and began by starting to disable my AV (ESET). In doing so I was given the option to 'repair' as well as to remove. To keep matters simple, I went for the repair option first. After the repair and a re-start all was OK with Internet access available. Great!

However, when I came to my usual computer I found that I had no Internet access. When I put the cursor over the 'screen with yellow triangle' in the task bar I had a message saying that no connection was available (i.e. not the same message as I had previously on the other computer). However using the MS connection troubleshooter cleared this problem.

So now all seems well again and I am very grateful to you for your detailed help. I will keep a hard copy of that for future reference!

Thank you.

 

That's the forum for. To share experience and valuable knowledge and keep frustration to the minimum. Glad to help!

 

This reply to ALANGR is different than what y told me, so I tried your suggestions. My MacAfee had expired so isn't on. I don't know how to set browser to default. I tried using the shift key to reboot in safe mode. Nothing seemed to change, I still couldn't get internet. However, after I restarted it normally, All my icons gone from the task bar, and my power settings are now being ignored, so the monitor has to be turned by hand, and the computer never sleeps, though it's still set to do so.

My daughter says I don't have "real" Windows 10, but it's missing a lot of functionality. How do I reinstall Windows 10 when it came onto my compute r one night without asking?

 

This tutorial will walk you through process of a clean install. Back up you data as a clean install is just that.

It might be an idea to start a new thread with your specific issue.

Clean Install of Windows 10....

https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/...n-install.html

 

Thank you so much SPAPAKONS

 

Great, easy to understand and effective. As soon as we disabled our antivirus and rebooted, our internet connection was up and running again. It had been out a month and multiple computer people could not tell us how to resolve it. Your post did! Thank you again.

 

I myself had spend hours while still learning to find such things. That's the forum for, to share valuable knowledge and save others from spending hours too.