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

The “WiFi doesn’t have a valid IP configuration” error message that can appear on your Windows 10 computer means that there is a problem with your computer TCP/IP stack as it can’t get a valid IP. If your computer is the only device experiencing this issue while other  devices can connect to Wi-Fi then the problem can be fixed by doing some troubleshooting steps on the computer otherwise the problem is caused by your router or your ISP. In this latest installment of our troubleshooting series we will tackle the Wi-Fi doesn’t have a valid IP configuration error.

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

Before performing any of the recommended troubleshooting steps listed below it’s best to restart your computer first. This action refreshes the operating system and remove any corrupt temporary data that could be causing the problem.

Release And Renew Your IP Address

One of the first troubleshooting steps that you should do in this case is to release and renew the IP address of your computer. 

  • Press Windows key once
  • Type cmd in the Start Search box.
  • Right click on the Command Prompt and click Run as administrator…
  • Type ipconfig /release and press Enter
  • Type ipconfig /renew and press Enter
  • Type Exit and press Enter

Check if the Wi-Fi doesn’t have a valid IP configuration error still occurs.

Reset TCP/IP

If the WiFi adapter of your computer sees the available network but it won’t accept tcp/ip address then attempting to reset winsock and ip stack may resolve the problem.

  • Press Windows key once
  • Type cmd in the Start Search box
  • Right click on the Command Prompt and click Run as administrator…
  • Type netsh winsock reset and press Enter.
  • Type netsh int ip reset and press Enter.
  • Type ipconfig /release and press Enter.
  • Type ipconfig /renew and press Enter.
  • Type ipconfig /flushdns and press Enter.
  • Restart the computer.

Check if the Wi-Fi doesn’t have a valid IP configuration error still occurs.

Perform a clean reboot

There might be a process from a software you installed running on your computer that is causing the problem. To check if this is the culprit, you will have to do a clean reboot.

  • Hold Windows key and press R
  • Type msconfig and press Enter
  • Select Services tab
  • Check Hide All Microsoft Services
  • Click Disable all
  • Click Startup tab then select Open Task Manager
  • Select the first item presented in the Task Manager and click Disable. Repeat this step for all the items in the Task Manager
  • Close the Task Manager window
  • Click OK in the Startup Tab
  • Restart your computer

If the problem persists then you don’t have a software conflict and the problem lies elsewhere. If the problem does not occur then you can now attempt to find the offending program or service. The best way to do so is  re-enable half of the services then check if the issue occurs. Do this for the other half as well in case the issue does not occur. Repeat this process until you can pinpoint the culprit. 

To start your computer normally

  • Right-click the Start button.
  • Click Search.
  • Type msconfig and hit Enter on your keyboard.
  • Click Services.
  • Click the checkbox next to Hide all Microsoft services.
  • Click Enable all.
  • Click the checkbox next to the offending startup service.
  • Click Startup.
  • Click Open Task Manager.
  • Click a startup program(s).
  • Click Enable.
  • Click the X to close Task Manager.
  • Click OK in the System Configuration window.
  • Click Restart.

Check if the Wi-Fi doesn’t have a valid IP configuration error still occurs.

Uninstall then reinstall the wireless adapter driver

It’s possible that a faulty wireless adapter driver is causing this problem. If this is the culprit then you should try to uninstall it then install the latest version.

To uninstall the driver

  • Type “device manager” in Search and click the “Device Manager”.
  • Find “Network adapters”, expand it and right-click on your wireless device.
  • Choose “Uninstall” from the drop-down menu.
  • Click “OK” when asked for confirmation. Mark the “Delete the driver software for this device” checkbox if you see this option.
  • Restart your computer.

To install the driver

  • Hold Windows key and press R
  • Type devmgmt.msc or hdwwiz.cpl and press Enter
  • Locate and double click Network Adapters
  • Locate your network card and double click it
  • Click Driver tab and click the Update Driver… button
  • Select Search automatically for updated driver software and follow any additional on-screen instructions.

Check if the Wi-Fi doesn’t have a valid IP configuration error still occurs.

Disable your Antivirus program

An antivirus program protects your computer from all forms of online threats however sometimes it can be quite strict that it can cause certain issues to occur. To check if this is what’s causing the problem you should try to temporarily disable your antivirus program. 

If you are using Windows Security

  • Select Start  – Settings > Update & Security  Windows Security Virus & threat protection > Manage settings
  • Switch Real-time protection to Off.  

If you are using Avast

  • Search for the Avast icon in your computer’s system tray and right-click on it.
  • Click on Avast shields control.
  • Locate the options to disable the program – the options are to disable it for 10 minutes, an hour, until the computer is restarted or permanently (until you yourself turn it back on). Select whatever option suits you best and use it to disable the program.

If you are using AVG

  • Search for the AVG icon in your computer’s system tray and right-click on it.
  • Click on Temporarily disable AVG protection.
  • Choose how long you want AVG to be turned off and whether you want AVG to disable its Firewall too.
  • Click on OK to disable the antivirus program.

If you are using McAfee

  • Search for the McAfee Antivirus icon in your computer’s system tray and right-click on it.
  • Click on Exit.
  • You should see a dialog box warning you that McAfee‘s protection will be turned off. Click on Yes in this dialog box to disable the antivirus program.

Check if the Wi-Fi doesn’t have a valid IP configuration error still occurs.

Restore Windows Firewall to default settings

  • Hold Windows key and press R
  • Type firewall.cpl and press Enter
  • Click Restore Defaults and then click the Restore Defaults button
  • Click Yes if it asks for permission

Check if the Wi-Fi doesn’t have a valid IP configuration error still occurs.

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