How to Fix No Internet Access Error on Ethernet Connection in Windows

Are you seeing the dreaded "No Internet Access" message even though your PC shows an Ethernet connection? Sometimes, getting an Internet connection up and running isn't easy. Try these tips to get your Ethernet connection working on your Windows PC!

1. Rule out router problems

Before troubleshooting your PC, you should rule out any problems with your router . To test, disconnect the Ethernet cable from your computer and connect it to another device if possible.

If you're having similar issues with other devices or having trouble connecting to your Wi-Fi, your router may be the culprit. In most cases, simply restarting your router will fix the problem. If not, you may need to update your router's firmware or contact your ISP (Internet Service Provider) for help.

2. Run the Network and Internet troubleshooter

If the router isn't having problems, you can try running the "Network and Internet" troubleshooter on Windows. This tool will scan your system for common Internet-related problems and attempt to fix them.

To run the Network and Internet troubleshooter, follow these steps:

• Press Win + I to open the Settings app and go to System > Troubleshoot .
• Select Other troubleshooters .
• Click the Run button next to Network and Internet and follow the on-screen prompts to run the troubleshooter.

3. Restart or update Ethernet driver

Turning your Ethernet adapter off and back on is an effective way to fix any temporary glitches that may be causing the problem. Here's how to do it:

• Press Win + R to open the Run dialog box .
• Type devmgmt.msc into the box and press Enter .
• Expand Network adapters , right-click the problematic driver and select Disable device .
• Wait a few seconds, right-click on the Ethernet driver again and select Enable device .

If the problem persists, you can try updating your Ethernet driver using Device Manager. This should fix problems caused by outdated or out-of-date drivers.

If that doesn't work, your Ethernet driver may be corrupted. To fix this, uninstall your Ethernet driver and restart your PC. Windows will automatically install the missing driver during startup and Ethernet should start working again.

4. Change Network Profile and turn off Metered Connection

Changing the network configuration on Windows and turning off the Metered Connection option can also help resolve issues with limited Internet access on Ethernet connections.

To do this, open the Settings app and go to Network and Internet > Ethernet . Then, turn off the Metered Connection toggle and change the Network profile from Public to Private .

Then restart your PC, disconnect and reconnect the Ethernet cable properly and check if that fixes the problem.

5. Change DNS Server and clear DNS Cache

By default, Windows uses the DNS Server provided by your ISP. Problems with the default DNS Server can sometimes result in slow or no Internet connection. You can try switching to a more reliable DNS Server, such as Cloudflare or Google DNS, to fix this problem.

To change the DNS Server, type ncpa.cpl in the search box and press Enter. In the Network Connections window , right-click on the Ethernet adapter and select Properties. Then, double-click on Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) , select the Use the following DNS server addresses option , and enter the DNS addresses in the relevant fields.

For example, if you want to use Google DNS, enter 8.8.8.8 as the primary DNS Server and 8.8.4.4 as the secondary DNS server.

After changing the default server, make sure to clear the DNS cache to remove old and invalid entries. Windows should now be able to connect to the Internet without any problems.

6. Reset network settings

If none of the above fixes work and you're still seeing the "No Internet Access" error, consider resetting your network settings . Doing so will restore all network settings on your PC to their defaults, resolving any issues you're having.

To reset network settings on Windows, open the Settings app and go to Network & internet > Advanced network settings > Network reset and click Reset now .

While Ethernet connections are generally more reliable than Wi-Fi , they can still have problems from time to time. Hopefully, the tips listed above have helped fix the problem you were having and you've been able to get your Internet connection back up and running.