Ethernet Not Working
A wired network connection shows as disconnected, limited, or simply doesn't provide internet access despite being physically plugged in.
Quick answer: Ethernet problems are usually the cable, the port on either end, or occasionally a driver — genuinely faulty Ethernet hardware is less common than a bad cable or a port that's come loose. Try a different cable first, since it costs nothing to rule out.
Likely causes
- A faulty or damaged Ethernet cable
- The cable not fully seated in either the computer or the router/wall socket
- A network driver issue
- The specific port (on the router or the computer) has failed
What you can safely check yourself
- Try a different Ethernet cable
- Try a different port on the router or wall socket if available
- Check for link lights (small lights on the Ethernet port) — no lights at all usually points to a cable or port issue rather than software
- Check Device Manager for the network adapter and any warning icons
When it needs a proper look
If a different cable and port still show no link lights or connection, the adapter itself may have failed and is worth a proper diagnosis.