What to Do if the Ethernet Keeps Disconnecting on Windows 10 & 11
A major benefit of using an Ethernet connection over Wi-Fi is the improved and consistent network performance. However, this may not always be the case. Your Ethernet connection may occasionally let you down when it disconnects for no apparent reason on your Windows 10 or 11 PC.
Before you give up on your Ethernet connection and switch to a wireless one, try the following tips to fix the problem.
1. Disconnect and Reconnect the Ethernet Cable
A loose or damaged Ethernet cable is one of the most common causes of this issue. Hence, you should first disconnect the Ethernet cable and reconnect it. While you are at it, make sure to inspect the cable for any cuts or damage. If the cable or the connector appears to be damaged, try using a different one.
Another thing you should do is clean the Ethernet port on both your computer and router to ensure a secure fit for the cable. If there are multiple ports, try connecting the cable to another port and see if it resolves the issue.
2. Restart Your Router or Modem
This is another basic fix you need to try to resolve any issues with your internet. Rebooting your router or modem should help clear any memory and other issues affecting its performance.
While you are at it, you can consider restarting your PC as well. After that, see if the Ethernet connection on your Windows 10 or 11 PC still disconnects randomly.
3. Enable Automatic DHCP
If you set incorrect IP information on Windows, your Ethernet connection may become unstable and frequently disconnect. To prevent this, you can enable the Automatic (DHCP) option in Windows. Here's how to do that:
Once you complete the above steps, Windows will allow automatically obtain the IP address and other network settings from your router.
4. Run the Network Adapter Troubleshooter
Running the Network Adapter troubleshooter in Windows can help fix all kinds of network-related issues, including this one. It will scan your system for any common problems that may have been causing the Ethernet to disconnect and reconnect randomly.
To run the Network Adapter troubleshooter:
Follow the on-screen prompts to finish running the troubleshooter and check if the Ethernet still disconnects after that.
5. Disable and Re-Enable the Ethernet Adapter Driver
Temporary issues with your Ethernet adapter can also cause your connection to keep dropping. Most of the time, you can fix such issues by simply disabling and re-enabling the Ethernet adapter. Here are the steps for the same.
Can’t find your Ethernet driver in the Device Manager? Check our guide on how to restore the missing network adapter on Windows.
6. Prevent Windows From Turning Off the Ethernet Driver
In order to conserve power, your Windows computer turns off your USB devices and network adapter when they are not in use. This could be the reason why Windows may be disconnecting your Ethernet connection.
To prevent this, you need to change the power management settings for your Ethernet driver. Here’s how you can go about it.
7. Update the Ethernet Driver
A malfunctioning Ethernet driver can also lead to such anomalies. This usually happens when the Ethernet driver is outdated or incompatible. You can try updating the problematic Ethernet driver to see if that resolves the issue. To do so, use these steps:
After updating the Ethernet driver, check if the issue still occurs.
8. Disable Proxy or VPN Services
Are you using a proxy server or VPN service to hide your online activities? If so, issues with your proxy or VPN server can cause problems with your Ethernet connection. To check for this possibility, you can temporarily turn off your proxy server or VPN connection and see if that restores normalcy.
9. Disable Your Antivirus Program
Many third-party antivirus programs have firewall and network protection features that can sometimes interfere with your network connection. This can cause your Ethernet connection to become unstable or stop working. You can temporarily disable your antivirus program to see if this resolves the issue.
Right-click on the antivirus icon on the taskbar and select Disable > Disable until computer is restarted.
If this resolves your problem, you may need to reconfigure your antivirus program and fix any irregularities. Alternatively, you can switch to a more reliable antivirus program. If you need help picking one, check out our guide on the best antivirus programs for Windows.
10. Reset Network Settings
If the above tips do not work, you can reset your PC's network settings as a last resort. This will restore your PC's network settings to their default values, resolving any issues.
Note that this process will delete all of your saved Wi-Fi networks and custom DNS settings. If you are okay with this, refer to our guide on resetting network settings in Windows and follow the steps outlined there.
Enjoy a Stable Ethernet Connection on Windows
Whether you rely on a wired connection for gaming, video conferencing, or simply browsing the web, dealing with frequent Ethernet disconnections on Windows can ruin your experience. In most cases, it’s either a faulty Ethernet cable or outdated drivers that cause such issues.
In any case, one of the tips mentioned above should help solve the problem, and you should be able to enjoy a stable internet connection.
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