When your ethernet won't connect

Lincoln Spector Nov 10, 2014

Laura E. McDonald wants to know why her PC "does not recognize the hardwire connection."

If you've got working Wi-Fi and apparently dead ethernet, the first thing to do is turn off
the Wi-Fi. Believe it or not, this might tell you that the ethernet is working. If Windows has
access to both, it will give top priority to ethernet, but display the Wi-Fi icon in the notification
area. There's likely a hardware switch on your PC for turning off Wi-Fi.
And even if that doesn't solve your problem, it will make the tests below easier to run.
You'll see immediately if ethernet is working, which is exactly what you need to know.
Once Wi-Fi is disabled, and you're not getting a network connection, make sure that
ethernet is enabled. At the Start menu's search field or the Windows 8 search charm,
type view network and select view network connections.

In the resulting Network Connections windows, find the right network. It will likely say
"Local Area Connection." If you see "Not connected" below the name, right-click it and
select Enable. It may take a few seconds for the connection to start working, but no more than
that.
 If that doesn't fix it, plug the cable into another port on the router. If that fixes the
problem, you've got a defective router. As long as you don't need all of your ports, you can get
by. Otherwise, check the manual or the manufacturer to find out about a fix. Worst case, you
can replace it.
If that doesn't work, swap ethernet cables--even if you have to borrow or buy a new
cable to do so. If that fixes the problem, you came out with a very simple fix.
If none of those tests fixes the problem, the problem is with your PC. But is it the
hardware or operating system?
To find out, set up a Live Linux [http://www.pcworld.com/article/2147063/linux-to-the-
rescue-how-ubuntu-can-help-a-computer-in-distress.html] disc or flash drive, and boot from
that. If ethernet fails to work here, the problem is with the hardware. Unless you're really good
at fixing computers, I'd suggest you take the PC to a professional.
But if ethernet works in Linux, the problem is with Windows. Try reinstalling your
ethernet drivers:

1. Back in Windows, go to the Start menu's Search field or the Windows 8 Search charm,
enterdevice manager, and selectDevice Manager.
2. Expand the Network Adapterssection.
3. Right-click the ethernet adapter (hint, it's the one without Wi-Fi or wireless in its name)
and select Uninstall.
4. Confirm by clicking OK.
5. Reboot to reinstall the driver.

That should fix it.