Software·43,937 discussions

Windows IP Config issue

Tags: Windows

Hello,
I just upgraded to the newest version of Windows 10, and since then my ethernet has displayed as an Unidentified Network.
I have tried many troubleshooting steps, the most recent being using the command prompt to run the following; “ipconfig /release” and “ipconfig /renew”.
However, once the renew command is ran there is a long pause followed by the error: “An error occurred while renewing interface Ethernet: unable to contact your DHCP server. Request has timed out”.
Im at my wits end, I need my computer for working at home and am completely unable to use the Internet on my PC. I feel that the issue I just described is linked to the issue, but the DHCP Service is running fine when I check it under Services. The only thing I havent tried is manually trying to get drivers to replace the current ones (need to learn this in my own time) and rerolling back to the previous Windows version.
Can anyone advise me further? I would be extremely thankful.

Topic

Microsoft does not include all known drivers.

In reply to Windows IP Config issue

There’s that plus we can’t be sure your Ethernet connection is good. So what I usually try is installing the drivers the machine’s maker recommends and if that fails then test the connection with my laptop.

If the laptop works I’ll try a test boot to a current Linux on USB stick to see if the hardware works there. The test results guide my next steps.

Re: config

In reply to Windows IP Config issue

What exactly is the “newest version of Windows 10”? What was it before you upgraded? How exactly did you upgrade?

If you run ipconfig /all, what is the IP-address of the gateway and the DHCP-server? Can you ping them?

Update

In reply to Re: config

Excuse the lack of detail. The current version of windows Im on now is 20H2. I cant remember the previous version but I updated as Windows has been reminding me that my old version was no longer supported.
As for running ipconfig/all; the Default Gateway is blank, pinging the IPv4 address returns “General Failure”. Im not sure which of the options is the DHCP Server, but I pinged DHCPv6 and DHCP Client DUID which displayed General Failure and a generic error message, respectively.

Since Windows doesn’t include all PC drivers.

In reply to Update

There’s nothing wrong with Windows here unless you want to maintain Microsoft needs to support your PC.

I’m running into a lot more people that don’t know about Windows and drivers and how this all works (or not.)

Re: gateway

In reply to Update

You forgot to tell how you upgraded. Could be Windows Update, could be running setup.exe from the .iso-file you downloaded, and could be booting from the bootable media (USB-stick or DVD) you made from that .iso-file.

The gateway is the modem or router the PC or laptop is connected to by an Ethernet-cable or WiFi. Since you’re talking about Ethernet, I assume it’s the cable, not WiFi.

Common causes are:
– wrong or no driver for the Ethernet-port
– hardware error on your PC/laptop
– bad or disconnected cable
– error in modem or router

I agree with proffitt that installing the right driver from the manufacturer of the PC/laptop or the motherboard is the first thing to do.
The easiest way to check for hardware errors is to swap hardware: try another laptop, cable or modem.

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