If your Windows 11 wired LAN (Ethernet) connection isn’t working—for example 

• Cable plugged in but shows not connected

• Ethernet not detected

• Connected but no internet

• Works sometimes, unstable
  —this guide will help you diagnose and fix the issue. 

✅ 1. Basic Physical Checks (Most Important)

Even though it’s simple, physical problems are extremely common:

✔️ Make sure the LAN cable is fully inserted into both PC and router/switch. 
✔️ Try a different LAN port on your router or hub. 
✔️ Swap in another Ethernet cable—a faulty cable fails often. 
• If no lights at all → possible cable damage or faulty NIC. 

If the hardware connection itself isn’t solid, software fixes won’t help.

✅ 2. Confirm Windows Isn’t Prioritizing Wi-Fi or Airplane Mode

Windows can switch networks automatically, so sometimes:

❌ Airplane mode turns on
❌ Wi-Fi takes priority and disables wired LAN

How to check:

1. Open Settings → Network & Internet

2. Confirm Airplane Mode is OFF

3. Check that Ethernet is listed and Enabled

4. If Wi-Fi is active, try disabling it to force Ethernet use

✅ 3. Network Adapter Status (Software Check)

After physical checks:

• Is the Ethernet adapter enabled?

  • Go to Settings → Network & Internet → Advanced network settings → Network adapters

  • If “Ethernet” is disabled, right-click → Enable

• Sometimes Windows turns off wired NIC after updates or OS changes.

✅ 4. IP Address & Network Status

If the adapter is enabled but still no internet:

✔️ Run Command Prompt → ipconfig
• If IPv4 is something like 169.254.x.x, the PC failed to get an IP from DHCP → router/DHCP problem.

✔️ Confirm router LAN DHCP is working
✔️ Try another port or network segment

📌 5. Driver & OS Related Fixes

✔ Update or Reinstall LAN Drivers

Outdated or buggy drivers after a Windows update often break Ethernet. 

1. Open Device Manager

2. Expand Network adapters

3. Right-click your Ethernet adapter → Update driver

If the problem started after an update:

➡️ Try Rollback Driver from the Driver tab. 

If that doesn’t help:

➡️ Uninstall the adapter and restart PC → Windows will reinstall it. 

🛠 6. Common Misc Issues

⚙ Proxy or VPN Settings Still Active

Sometimes leftover proxy/VPN settings block connections.
Go to Settings → Network & Internet → Proxy and turn off any manual proxies. 

🔐 Firewall or Security Software

Some security suites can block traffic:

✔ Temporarily disable firewall/antivirus and test Ethernet

🔄 7. Network Reset (Last Resort)

If all else fails:

1. Go to Settings → Network & Internet → Advanced Network Settings

2. Scroll down → Network Reset

3. Click Reset now → reboot
   ✅ This reinstalls network adapters, resets Winsock and TCP/IP. 

⚠️ You may need to re-enter Wi-Fi passwords afterward.

✅ Summary — Steps in Order

1. Physical connection: check cable & port

2. Disable airplane mode; turn off Wi-Fi

3. Enable Ethernet adapter

4. Check IP address (non-169.254)

5. Update/rollback/reinstall network drivers

6. Disable proxy/VPN/firewall temporarily

7. Network reset if needed