Learn how to fix the “Network Cable Not Connected” error quickly and easily with these troubleshooting tips. Don’t let a simple network issue disrupt your internet connection!
How to Fix “Network Cable Not Connected” Error
Sometimes Windows users encounter the error “Network cable not connected”, which makes it impossible to access the Internet. Why does it occur, and how to fix it? Let’s figure it out in this article.
Possible Causes of the Error “Network Cable Not Connected”
There are quite a few of them. Let’s go through the main ones:
- Incorrect or partial cable connection;
- Presence of damage. It is necessary to check the connector for defects and breaks;
- The presence of hardware problems with the router or provider equipment;
- The network card on the PC has failed or there are errors in its configuration;
- The driver crashed;
- Malware has appeared that blocks access to the Internet
How to restore internet access
Before proceeding with specific actions, you should perform a general sequence of operations to eliminate the error.
General diagnostics
To get started, follow these steps:
- Restart your PC/laptop, as well as your router or modem, if any;
- Pull the cable out and reinsert it into the connector. Make sure there is a connection on the router if the Internet is supplied through it. Try using a different LAN port. Check if the corresponding indicator on the device lights up after connection;
- If possible, use a cable from another provider;
- Gently move the cable where it connects to the connector. At this point, monitor the network connection status on the PC. If there is a disconnection, the Internet will appear for a moment and disappear;
- Connect the cable to another device to make sure there is no problem with your PC;
- If the Internet is supplied through a router, try connecting directly to the PC.
In cases where general manipulations have not produced results, we move on to more specific solutions to the problem.
Removing a network card
It is safe to remove the network card from the device manager, because it is automatically restored when you reboot the PC. To do this, follow the instructions:
- Open Device Manager (press Win+R keys simultaneously and enter devmgmt.msc);
- Find the “Network adapters” section. Click the check mark to expand the full list. The card may be called differently. Sometimes the name includes “LAN”. Check first that there is no yellow triangle next to the network card. If it is missing, right-click on the component name and select “Remove device”;
- Confirm deletion, restart your computer.
If this was the problem, then when you turn on the PC, the network card will be automatically restored and the Internet connection will reappear.
Checking Duplex and Speed Detection Settings
To do this, you need to go to the “Device Manager” again and find the name of your network card. Right-click on it and select the bottom item “Properties”.
The next step is to go to the “Additional” section. In the list of properties below, find the “Speed&Duplex” item. In the window on the right, labeled “Value”, you need to set Auto Negotiation.
If there is a different value initially, experiment with it by selecting different options. You can specify a value of 100 Mbit/s or others. Remember that after each change you need to click “OK” and reboot the device.
Reinstalling the network card driver
Here everything is much simpler. You need to find out the name of your network card and enter it on the Internet. Then go to the official website and download the new driver there. You can do this even on your phone or other device, then drop the installation file onto your PC. After reinstallation, reboot your computer.
Other Causes of the ‘Network Cable Not Connected’ Error
As mentioned earlier, there are many reasons for this status, and it is difficult to find the right option right away. If the above solutions to the problem did not help, consider other methods.
Network card failure
You can find out about such a problem only when a technician diagnoses your PC. Most often, what is happening is not displayed in the “Device Manager”, but simply displays the error mentioned earlier. To check the serviceability of the network card, you can connect another cable to the PC or select another router. If the Internet works on all devices except one, then the problem lies in the network card.
Problems with the provider
But here the situation is not so clear-cut, because there can be a lot of options. For example, the provider’s technician connected the Internet to another user, in the neighborhood, and in the process disconnected your cable or damaged it. Sometimes it happens that the residents of one entrance, for fun, cut the cable. In such situations, the error we are considering occurs.
Make sure in advance that the reason is not a broken network card. In such a situation, you should act only through the provider. Call them and call a technician to diagnose the condition of the equipment. If the problem really lies in the error and carelessness of the specialist, you will not have to pay for the call and repair.
The router is malfunctioning
The easiest way to check if your router is not working is to connect the cable directly to your PC. If everything works, then the problem is in the broken router. Sometimes the router settings go down due to a sudden power surge or other reasons.
The cable is broken right in the house
The cable is rarely connected to the router or PC via the ceiling or walls. Most often, it lies directly on the floor, where it can be easily stepped on. With frequent mechanical impacts, the cable will break, which will lead to the loss of the ability to connect to the Internet.
To check this reason, you need to connect the cable to different devices and routers. If possible and have the knowledge, check the operation of the equipment in the entrance. Having established that the cable is damaged, call a technician to repair or replace it.