Network Cable Unplugged Error In Windows 11 & 10

Discover effective solutions to fix the 'network cable unplugged' error on your Windows PC. Regain internet connectivity with these troubleshooting tips.

By Abhishek Chandel 27 Jan 2024 in PC

New Update

Fix: Network Cable Unplugged Error In Windows 11 & 10

The "network cable unplugged" error is a common connectivity issue faced by Windows 11 users, leaving you disconnected from the internet and unable to access network resources. This frustrating error can be caused by a number of factors, ranging from hardware problems to software misconfigurations. In this guide, we will walk through the top fixes to troubleshoot and resolve this error on your Windows PC, getting your network connection restored.

Fix 1: Inspect Hardware for Damage

Before troubleshooting software, inspect all Ethernet cables, ports, and connections for damage. Try connecting them to another working computer to isolate hardware issues. Damaged cables or ports can mimic the unplugged cable error.

Fix 2: Renew Network Components

Resetting your network components renews IP addresses and clears any corrupted files disrupting connectivity.

Follow these steps:

Search for Command Prompt, right-click it, and select Run as administrator.
Type "ipconfig /flushdns" and press Enter to flush the DNS cache.
Next type "netsh winsock reset" and press Enter to reset the Winsock catalog.
Restart your computer to fully reset network configurations.

This forces Windows to freshly establish network connections and relevant configs.

Fix 3: Adjust Duplex Settings for Your Network Adapter

The duplex setting controls the direction of communication between your PC's network adapter and the connected router or switch. Incorrect duplex configurations can trigger the unplugged cable error.

To change the setting:

Open Network Connections in Windows Settings or Control Panel.
Right-click on your ethernet adapter and select Properties.
Now select Qos packet scheduler and then click on configure then click Yes.
Under the Advanced tab, scroll down and locate the Speed & Duplex entry.
Change the value to 100 Mbps Half Duplex. You can also try 10 Mbps Full Duplex.
Click OK to save changes and exit.

This tweaks the data transfer direction, which could fix connection issues caused by incorrect duplex modes.

Fix 4: Rollback Network Drivers

Outdated or corrupt drivers can also cause connection problems. Uninstalling them will rollback to the default versions:

Open Device Manager, expand Network adapters.
Right-click on your Ethernet adapter and select Uninstall device.
Check the box to delete driver software and click Uninstall.
Now click on Scan for hardware changes and Windows will automatically reinstall fresh drivers.

Fix 5: Update Ethernet Drivers

If your drivers are just outdated, updating them may resolve the issue:

In Device Manager, right click the Ethernet adapter and select Update driver.
Click Search automatically for updated driver software.
Allow Windows to download and install the newest driver versions automatically.

Fix 6: Disable, Reboot, and Re-enable the Adapter

If the above steps don't resolve the issue, try disabling the adapter, rebooting, and re-enabling:

In Network Connections, right click the ethernet adapter and select Disable.
Power cycle the computer and router by unplugging them from power.
After 1-2 minutes, reconnect power and turn them back on.
Return to Network Connections, right-click the adapter, and select Enable.

This renews the network interface and re-establishes the physical connection.

Fix 7: Contact Your ISP or Network Admin

If all above methods fail, there could be an issue with your internet service provider, router configurations or network switches managed by your organization's IT team.

Contact your ISP support or network administrator to investigate and resolve the problem.

Conclusion

Inspecting hardware, renewing network components, adjusting duplex settings, rolling back drivers, and contacting your ISP are all effective ways to troubleshoot and fix the network cable unplugged error. Start with the simple hardware checks before working through the software solutions. While frustrating, this common connectivity problem can typically be resolved through one of these fixes.

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#Windows 11 #Network Cable Unplugged