Fix Wi-Fi Doesn’t Have A Valid IP Configuration Error

Wi-Fi doesn’t have a valid IP configuration that indicates a problem with your computer’s network setup. Your NIC (Network Interface Card) is unable to get a VALID IP Address (Internet Protocol) from the DHCP server. This problem mostly occurs on PC or laptop configured for DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) to obtain an IP address and other details, such as subnet mask, default gateway, or DNS server, automatically. And a Faulty Network Interface Card (NIC) or Network Adapter, problem with Wi-Fi router or modem or incorrect network configuration are some common reasons behind invalid IP configuration error on Windows 11.

Wifi, Ethernet or local area connection doesn’t have a valid ip configuration means the connection no longer has a valid IP configuration and the Windows operating system is failing to receive the necessary IP address from the DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol).

Wi-Fi Doesn’t Have A Valid IP Configuration Error

If the internet not working on your computer and running network or internet troubleshooter results, Ethernet or Wireless Network Connection doesn’t have a valid IP configuration error message then apply solutions listed below to fix it.

First of all Check and make sure all network devices (Router, modem or switch) turn on. and If you have a LAN connection check the network cable connected properly to the RJ45 port.

In addition, it’s advised to restart the router and your device, which may refresh the device and clear temporary glitches that may be present there and prevent your computer from getting a valid IP address from DHCP server.

Disconnect VPN (If configured on your device) because this may cause a conflict and prevent getting a valid IP address from the DHCP server.

Check DHCP client service

If due for some reason, the DHCP client service is not started or stuck, your device might fail to get a valid IP address from the DHCP server. In such a case, you need to check or restart the DHCP client service following the steps below.

• Press Windows key + R, type service.msc and click ok
• This will open the Windows service console, scroll down to locate DHCP client service,
• Right-click on it and select restart, if the service is not started, then double click on it to open its properties,
• change the startup type to automatic and start the service next to the service status.

• Click apply and ok, now check if your device gets a valid IP address from the DHCP server.

Reset network configuration settings

Perform the following commands below to reset the network configuration for your device, flush the DNS cache, release the current IP and force the DHCP server to get a valid IP address for your device.

First, open the Command prompt as Administrator. Now type the below commands one by one and press enter key after each command to execute the command.

ipconfig /release

Ipconfig /flushdns

Ipconfig /renew

If the problem still exists, we recommend Reset Winsock Protocol And TCP/IP Settings by following the commands.

netsh winsock reset

And then execute the two following commands to reset TCP/IP settings:

netsh int tcp reset

netsh int ip reset

After that, reboot your Windows computer to apply these changes And check the problem is solved.

Reinstall TCP/IP protocol

• Press Windows key + R, type ncpa.cpl and hit ok to open the network connections window,
• right click on active network adapter then select properties,
• Click the Install option, Select Protocol and then click Add…

• Select Reliable Multicast Protocol option listed here and then click OK to install the protocol

• Now try reconnecting your WiFi to see if the connection problem is gone.

Check Network Adapter Settings

You might have configured your computer’s IP and DNS addresses manually, which may be causing an invalid IP configuration Error. Let’s change it to Obtain IP address and DNS Automatically from DHCP server.

• First, open network connections using ncpa.cpl command
• Now, select and right-click the problematic Wi-Fi adapter, select properties.
• Then select the Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) option and double-click on it.
• Here you can configure two things, Assign IP address Automatically, or you can Assign IP address manually.

Assign IP address Automatically

If you have configured a static IP address as well as other details, and are unable to access the Internet, and as a result, your computer shows you the Wi-Fi doesn’t have a valid IP configuration error message, then you need to switch back to automatic configuration method.

All you need to do is select two options as the following image below:

Assign IP address manually

If you haven’t set up anything and left everything as default, you can try to configure those settings with the static details, including the LAN IP address, Subnet Mask, Default Gateway, and DNS Server.

For example:

• IP address: 192.168.1.112
• Subnet mask: 255.255.255.0
• Default gateway: 192.168.1.1   (your router Address) 
• DNS server: 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4

In those details, there are two options you must remember your IP address and the default gateway.

• Default gateway: This is the IP address of your router or modem – depending on where the DHCP server is running, as well as where your Ethernet cable is connected to.
• IP address: You can set any IP address you want but it must follow this form, which is the same as your default gateway address. For example, if your default gateway address is 192.168.11.1, then your IP address must be 192.168.11.xxx. The [xxx] is any number from 2 to 255, but must not be the same IP address that other devices have used as that will lead to an IP conflict issue.

After you have filled all the essential details, click on the “OK” button to save the changes and then reboot your computer. Then check again to see if your Internet connection is back or not.

Reinstall Wi-Fi Network Adapter

Most of the time, outdated driver software for network adapters causes different Internet problems and fails to get a valid IP from the DHCP server. If there are any problems with the network adapter driver, reinstalling the driver will solve the issue.

• First press Windows + X, and then choose the Device Manager option from the pop-up menu.
• Here Locate your Wi-Fi network adapter from the list of devices, then right-click on it and select the “Update Driver Software…” option.

In the next step, there are two possibilities to choose from:

• Search automatically for updated driver software.
• Browse my computer for driver software.

Choose the option you want to use and then update the driver for your Wi-Fi network adapter.

In addition, you can also uninstall the driver for your network adapter. Then go to the manufacturer’s website to download the latest version of the driver and then install it again.

Sometimes antivirus software blocks some network files and other core system files, so to solve the error, try disabling the antivirus software.