My Ethernet randomly stopped working and won’t connect to my PC

Troubleshooting Guide: Fixing Random Ethernet Connectivity Issues on Your PC

Experiencing intermittent or lost Ethernet connectivity can be frustrating, especially when it disrupts your daily routine or work. If your PC’s Ethernet connection suddenly stops working, despite working flawlessly just days earlier, you’re not alone. Here’s a comprehensive overview based on a common user experience, along with effective troubleshooting steps tailored for Windows 11 systems with high-performance hardware.

Case Overview

A user reported that their PC, connected via Ethernet cable directly to a wall port, maintained a stable connection for approximately two weeks. During this period, they occasionally used the Ethernet cable with their PS5 without any issues. However, after returning from a weekend trip, the Ethernet connection ceased functioning. The network settings indicated that the Ethernet cable was not connected, and the port’s indicator lights were inactive, despite confirming the cable’s integrity by testing it with other devices like the console.

Initial Troubleshooting Attempts

• Power Cycling: The user restarted the PC and disconnected the power supply, which temporarily restored the port lights but did not resolve the connectivity issue.
• Driver Reinstallation: Multiple attempts were made to reinstall the Realtek Ethernet drivers, along with system restarts, but these efforts did not rectify the problem.
• Hardware Verification: The Ethernet cable worked correctly on other devices, such as the PS5, indicating that the cable itself and the wall port were likely functioning properly.

System Specifications

• Motherboard: MSI Aegis ZS2 prebuilt
• Operating System: Windows 11
• CPU: AMD Ryzen 9 7900X
• Graphics Card: RTX 4080 Super
• Network Adapter: Realtek Ethernet driver

Potential Causes and Solutions

1. Check Physical Connections and Hardware Ports
2. Ensure the Ethernet cable is firmly plugged into the PC and the wall port.
3. Test the Ethernet port with a known working cable on different devices to confirm hardware functionality.

4. If the port’s indicator lights aren’t illuminating, consider inspecting or replacing the Ethernet port or using a USB Ethernet adapter as a workaround.

5. Network Adapter Settings

6. Navigate to Device Manager > Network Adapters and verify the Ethernet adapter is enabled.
7. Right-click on the adapter, select Properties, and check the device status.
8. Use the Network Reset feature in Windows 11: Settings > Network