Solve Wifi Doesn’t Have a Valid IP Configuration Error
A common network error in Windows is the “Wifi Doesn’t Have a Valid IP Configuration” error. When this error is reported in the Network Diagnostic Tool, it is up to you to solve it, as it is one of the few windows networking errors that doesn’t come with an automated fix.
The most common causes and fixes for this error are discussed below.
What Causes “Wifi Doesn’t Have a Valid IP Configuration” Error?
This error is reported when the IP Address Configuration on the Router does not match the IP reported by your Wifi Network Adapter. It can occur after updating Windows or when network changes have occurred that haven’t been pushed to the Network Adapter. It can also be caused by driver errors, malfunctioning routers, or DNS issues.
To take a crack at fixing the error yourself, follow this guide.
1. Reset IP Configuration on Network Adapter
The Network Adapter has an IP Configuration which is usually set to automatically detect the network settings. Part of the network settings delivered to the Adapter will be the device-specific IP address assigned by the Router.
To fix the issue you have to remove the existing IP configuration and request the new settings.
Start with Opening an elevated Command Prompt window. To do this, hit the Windows key and type “cmd” in the search box. The CMD application should appear in the Application List. Right click on the icon and select “Run as Administrator”.
Tip: To ensure you are running the Command Prompt with elevated privileges, check that the root path is the windows directory and not your user directory.
For instance:
C:WindowsSystem32
And not:
C:Users<username>
When the Command Prompt is open, type the following into the command line:
ipconfig /release
The above command will remove the current IP Configuration from the Network Adapter.
Next, type the following to retrieve the new IP Configuration settings from the Router:
ipconfig /renew
Close the Command Prompt and check if the network is now working. If you are still receiving the “Wifi Doesn’t Have a Valid IP Configuration” error, continue to the next step.
2. Completely reset your TCP/IP Settings
Again, open the Command Prompt with elevated privileges. Once the Command Prompt is open, type the following to reset your network configuration:
netsh winsock reset
Winsock is a Windows Socket API that specifies how windows should deal with networks.
Once Winsock has been reset, type the following to reset the IP configuration on the Network Router:
netsh int ip reset
This will assign new IP configuration settings to the Router and Network Adapter. Once complete, close the Command Prompt application and restart your PC. After the PC has restarted, check if networking has been restored. If still not working, continue with the next step.
3. Check if Network Service Is Running
Windows uses a Service to automatically manage network changes on your PC. The Service should be running to ensure any changes are identified and addressed by the software. To check if your Network Service is running, hit the Windows Key and type “services” in the search box.
The Services Application will be displayed in the Application list. Click on the Icon to open the application. Depending on your PC, it may take some time to load.
In the list of services, scroll down to WLAN AutoConfig Service, right click and select properties.
Ensure the Status of the service is “Running” and that the Startup Type is set “Automatic”. If this is not the case, make the changes and restart your PC. Check if networking has been restored. If still not working, proceed to the next step.
4. Update Your Device Drivers
Network Adapters require device drivers to operate correctly. Drivers are updated from time to time to solve security and reliability issues. Windows may update your driver to a generic network adapter, and this may also be the cause of networking errors.
Manufacturers regularly evaluate and update their hardware drivers. The best solution is always to have the original equipment manufacturer’s drivers installed on your PC.
Driver Support makes this easy by creating an inventory of your hardware, checking the drivers that are installed and allowing you to update your drivers to the correct ones all in one place.
Instead of going to the Device Manager to remove the current Network Adapter Driver and manually try to install the correct one, simply install Driver Support and let it manage all your drivers for you.
What if None of These Solutions Work?
If none of the above solutions work, it may point to faulty hardware. Check if another PC can connect to the same network. If so, you will have to take your PC to a service agent and have the Network Adapter checked for faults.
