Ethernet - Not Connected

imdj · 2026-06-26T19:43:10-0400

Hello!

About 3 days ago, my desktop randomly stopped recognizing my Ethernet connection. At first, I thought it could be my cable or motherboard, so I cleaned up my desktop and replugged everything. I tried using the same cable on my Nintendo Switch and it worked.

I didn't know what else to do, so I tried reinstalling the drivers, but it still shows "Ethernet - Not Connected." I bought a new cable, plugged it in, and it still didn't work. Then, I bought a USB-to-Ethernet adapter to test my USB ports, and that didn't work either.

I don't know what else I can do, so I found this forum hoping for some help.

I have already tested:

Replugging the cable
Cleaning the computer
Trying another cable
Trying an adapter
Running some DISM/SFC commands (still running while writing this post)

What else can I try?

Thanks!

Ghot · 2026-06-26T20:41:59-0400

Hello @imdj and welcome to ElevenForum.

It could be, the actual Ethernet port on the motherboard (rear).
I guess it could have something to do with the router.

remover · 2026-06-26T21:13:24-0400

Look over this Link: Fix Ethernet connection problems in Windows | Microsoft Support

EDIT:
make sure the latest available motherboard drivers are installed,
downloaded directly from the board manufacturer's product support page(s).

check your Device Manager for any 'Network adapter' or other warnings.

if all else fails, it could very well be that your motherboard has just malfunctioned.
you could try a network PCIe card with Ethernet available

Helmut · 2026-06-26T21:25:34-0400

You need to examine the Ethernet Plugs cables and sockets for functionality, all of them.

Plugs - Test for springiness of the retaining tab, use a Multimeter (resistance) to ascertain any intermittent plug/cable both ends.
Sockets - make sure the springy finger contacts are lined up and separated correctly and are still springy.

Examine contacts for corrosion, clean contacts with alcohol. General mechanical examination for worn/broken parts.

Marie SWE · 2026-06-26T23:04:52-0400

Hi @imdj On the router. does the LED light up on the Lan port the computer are connected to?
The same on the computer, does the LED on the Lan port light up?(if you have status LED on the computer)
(100Mbit often Orange, 1000Mbit often Green... this can be different on different manufacturers the manual will tell)

First test to reboot the router(shut it of for 30 seconds and then power on again)
Test to switch the cable to another Lan port on the router
Also if you have access to another Ethernet cable, test another cable between the router and the computer.
Go in to Bios and check so internal Lan is active(test to disable/enable again)
Even if you did try an USB-ethernet adapter)
Test to disable and enable the network adapter.
Test to remove the network card from device manager, reboot and reinstall the adapter.

Good luck with the troubleshooting.

imdj · 2026-06-26T23:57:57-0400

remover said:
Look over this Link: Fix Ethernet connection problems in Windows | Microsoft Support

EDIT:
make sure the latest available motherboard drivers are installed,
downloaded directly from the board manufacturer's product support page(s).

check your Device Manager for any 'Network adapter' or other warnings.

if all else fails, it could very well be that your motherboard has just malfunctioned.
you could try a network PCIe card with Ethernet available

Will see the motherboard drivers tomorrow, after posting i tried downloading the latest Intel Ethernet connection driver but it didn’t work.

Also was thinking about buying a PCIe Lan card

HeavyHemi · 2026-06-27T00:00:44-0400

imdj said:
Will see the motherboard drivers tomorrow, after posting i tried downloading the latest Intel Ethernet connection driver but it didn’t work.

Also was thinking about buying a PCIe Lan card

What throws me off is you said you had also tried a USB to ethernet dongle and that did not work either.

imdj · 2026-06-27T00:02:02-0400

Helmut said:
You need to examine the Ethernet Plugs cables and sockets for functionality, all of them.

Plugs - Test for springiness of the retaining tab, use a Multimeter (resistance) to ascertain any intermittent plug/cable both ends.
Sockets - make sure the springy finger contacts are lined up and separated correctly and are still springy.

Examine contacts for corrosion, clean contacts with alcohol. General mechanical examination for worn/broken parts.

oh.. i think i may not be able to do it, i dont own a multimeter.. but thank you so much for the information

imdj · 2026-06-27T00:04:54-0400

Marie SWE said:
Hi @imdj On the router. does the LED light up on the Lan port the computer are connected to?
The same on the computer, does the LED on the Lan port light up?(if you have status LED on the computer)
(100Mbit often Orange, 1000Mbit often Green... this can be different on different manufacturers the manual will tell)

First test to reboot the router(shut it of for 30 seconds and then power on again)
Test to switch the cable to another Lan port on the router
Also if you have access to another Ethernet cable, test another cable between the router and the computer.
Go in to Bios and check so internal Lan is active(test to disable/enable again)
Even if you did try an USB-ethernet adapter)
Test to disable and enable the network adapter.
Test to remove the network card from device manager, reboot and reinstall the adapter.

Good luck with the troubleshooting.

the leds on the router turns on, but the led on my computer doesn’t, tried another cable too, didn’t work.

I can do more testings tomorrow too

imdj · 2026-06-27T00:08:00-0400

HeavyHemi said:
What throws me off is you said you had also tried a USB to ethernet dongle and that did not work either.

yeah, it didn’t.. it recognized the dongle but it was still “Ethernet - Not Connected”.
And its so weird cause i tested the same cable on my Nintendo and it did work well..

I may need to wipe my entire pc and reinstall everything :/

Marie SWE · 2026-06-27T00:18:01-0400

imdj said:
the leds on the router turns on, but the led on my computer doesn’t, tried another cable too, didn’t work.

I can do more testings tomorrow too

That is odd.
If the Router Lan port LED indicator turn on/light up it indicate it has a connection to a device. If the LED indicators on the computer lan port dont light up, it indicate it dont have a connection with the device in the other end (the router in your case)
It should be both either light up or dark. not only on one of the paired devices.

I's 6:16AM over here and i should be in bed now.
So i say good night and good luck with the hunt on the different steps i posted.

remover · 2026-06-27T01:02:14-0400

Just wondering if it's not a hardware related problem ... maybe you could try this.

right click the icon to the internet to the left of your speaker icon , click on change adaptor options , right click your internet connection icon and choose properties , click on internet protocol v 4 to highlight it then properties , on the bottom half of the page you are looking at now , click on the button use the following dns , now in the first box you need 8 8 8 8 and in the second you need 8 8 4 4 , finally tick validate settings before exit .

See this USB to ethernet dongle. It came with my laptop. NIB. It went off & on randomly!! I would not use one. Years ago I had 100' of ethernet cable. No Problems! good luck.

remover · 2026-06-27T01:07:59-0400

Anything show on the Device Manager ?

imdj · 2026-06-27T14:10:17-0400

remover said:
Just wondering if it's not a hardware related problem ... maybe you could try this.

right click the icon to the internet to the left of your speaker icon , click on change adaptor options , right click your internet connection icon and choose properties , click on internet protocol v 4 to highlight it then properties , on the bottom half of the page you are looking at now , click on the button use the following dns , now in the first box you need 8 8 8 8 and in the second you need 8 8 4 4 , finally tick validate settings before exit .

See this USB to ethernet dongle. It came with my laptop. NIB. It went off & on randomly!! I would not use one. Years ago I had 100' of ethernet cable. No Problems! good luck.

it can totally be a hardware problem, im just trying everything before.
my dongle is the same, i used as a test and it showed Ethernet 2 but didnt work

Also, i changed the dns and as you can see, still get the Not Connected thing..

I will probably format my machine right now, since nothing works

imdj · 2026-06-27T14:11:50-0400

remover said:
Anything show on the Device Manager ?

Yeah, all normal on Device Manager

HeavyHemi · 2026-06-27T14:34:14-0400

imdj said:
Yeah, all normal on Device Manager

View attachment 175415

Are you able to connect using WiFi?

imdj · 2026-06-27T14:51:40-0400

HeavyHemi said:
Are you able to connect using WiFi?

yes, with a dongle i own.
but is not ideal since its too unstable :/

Helmut · 2026-06-27T16:29:00-0400

All those things I mentioned do not rely on a multimeter. There are other methods for testing continuity, simple things like flexing leads along the length of a cable, judicious wiggling plugs and sockets with care, and so forth.
The physical checks just involve examination and applying common sense to contact strips and locking latches etc.

"but the led on my computer doesn’t, tried another cable too, didn’t work."

but the sockets need checking at both ends of the cable as well, if you can get to them the soldered socket connections as well.

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