The main benefit of using an Ethernet connection over WiFi is better, more consistent network performance. That isn't always the case, though. Your Ethernet connection can sometimes let you down by dropping for no obvious reason on a Windows 10 or 11 PC.
Before you give up on Ethernet and switch to a wireless connection, try these troubleshooting tips.
1. Unplug and reconnect the Ethernet cable
A loose or damaged Ethernet cable is one of the most common causes of this problem. So the first thing to do is unplug the Ethernet cable and plug it back in. While you're at it, check the cable for any cuts or damage. If the cable or connector looks damaged, try a different cable or connector.
You should also clean the Ethernet port on both your computer and your router so the cable fits snugly. If there are multiple ports, try plugging the cable into a different one and see whether that solves the problem.
2. Restart your router or modem
This is another basic fix you should try for just about any internet problem. Restarting your router or modem clears out its memory and any other issues affecting its performance.
While you're doing that, consider restarting your PC as well. Then see whether the Ethernet connection on your Windows 10 or 11 PC still drops at random.
3. Enable automatic DHCP
If you've set incorrect IP information in Windows, your Ethernet connection may be unstable and disconnect frequently. To prevent this, you can turn on the Automatic (DHCP) option in Windows. Here's how:
- Press Win + I to open the Settings app.
- Go to Network & internet > Ethernet.
- Click the Edit button next to IP assignment.
- Use the drop-down menu to select Automatic (DHCP) and click the Save button.
Once you've completed the steps above, Windows will automatically obtain an 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 problems, including this one. It scans your system for any common issues that could cause Ethernet to keep disconnecting.
To run the Network Adapter Troubleshooter:
- Press Win + I to open the Settings app.
- On the System tab, click Troubleshoot.
- Select Other troubleshooters.
- Click the Run button next to Network Adapter.
Follow the on-screen prompts to finish running the troubleshooter, then check whether Ethernet still disconnects afterward.
5. Disable and re-enable the Ethernet adapter driver
Temporary glitches with the Ethernet adapter can also cause your connection to keep dropping. In most cases, you can fix problems like this by turning the Ethernet adapter off and back on. Here are the steps:
- Right-click the Start icon and choose Device Manager from the list.
- Double-click Network adapters to expand it.
- Right-click your Ethernet driver and choose Disable device from the resulting menu.
- Select Yes to confirm.
- Right-click the Ethernet driver again and choose Enable device.
6. Stop Windows from turning off the Ethernet driver
To save power, your Windows computer turns off USB devices and network adapters when they aren't in use. That may be why Windows is disconnecting your Ethernet.
To prevent this, you need to change the power management settings for your Ethernet driver. Here's how.
- Press Win + S to open the search menu.
- Type Device Manager into the text box and select the first result that appears.
- Expand Network adapters.
- Double-click your Ethernet driver to open its properties.
- Switch to the Power Management tab.
- Uncheck the Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power box.
- Press OK.
7. Update the Ethernet driver
A malfunctioning Ethernet driver can also lead to this kind of erratic behavior. It often happens when the Ethernet driver is outdated or incompatible. You can try updating the problematic Ethernet driver to see whether that resolves the issue. To do so, follow these steps:
- Press Win + R to open the Run dialog.
- Type devmgmt.msc into the box and press Enter.
- In the Device Manager window, expand Network adapters.
- Right-click the problematic driver and choose Update driver.
- Select the Search automatically for drivers option.
- Click Search for updated drivers on Windows Update.
After updating the Ethernet driver, check whether the problem still occurs.
8. Disable VPN or proxy services
Are you using a proxy service or VPN service to hide your online activity? If so, a problem with the proxy server or VPN could be causing trouble with your Ethernet connection. To test this possibility, you can temporarily turn off the proxy server or VPN connection and see whether things return to normal.
9. Disable your antivirus program
Many third-party antivirus programs include firewalls and network protection features that can sometimes interfere with your network connection. That can make your Ethernet connection unstable or stop it from working. You can temporarily disable your antivirus program to see whether this solves the problem.
Right-click the antivirus icon in the taskbar and select Disable > Disable until computer is restarted.
If this fixes the problem, you may need to reconfigure your antivirus program and resolve whatever is causing the conflict. Alternatively, you could switch to a more reliable antivirus program. If you need help choosing one, see the guide to the best antivirus programs for Windows.
10. Reset your network settings
If the tips above don't work, you can reset your PC's network settings as a last resort. This restores your PC's network settings to their default values, clearing up any problems.
Note that this process will erase all of your saved WiFi networks and any custom DNS settings. If you're fine with that, see the guide on how to reset network settings in Windows and follow the steps outlined there.
