Your Ethernet cable might not be detected in Windows 10 for a few different reasons. Sometimes it’s because you don’t have the right driver installed, or because the cable has been unplugged at some point. If you’re still having problems with your cable, here are some steps you can try to get it working again.
Troubleshoot the cable
First, make sure the cable is plugged in all the way. It sounds like an obvious step, but it can be easy to overlook. If you’re still having trouble after checking the connection, proceed to the next step.
Check the cable’s connection to your PC
Sometimes the cable’s connection to your PC will cause it not to be detected by Windows 10. If this is the case, you’ll want to make sure that your Ethernet port is plugged in securely and that there are no bent pins.
If the Ethernet port is plugged in properly, try swapping out the Ethernet cable for a different one.
Check the cable’s connection to your router
One of the most common reasons why your Ethernet cable might not be detected is because its connection to your router has been interrupted. This can happen for a variety of reasons, such as if you unplugged the cable and forgot to plug it back in after a reboot or if someone else unplugged it without you knowing. If this is the case, just plug the cable back in and check to see if it’s detected now.
Update the driver
The first thing you should do when your Ethernet cable is not detected in Windows 10 is to update your driver. If you’re using a new computer, the drive might be installed, but if you’re using an older machine it might not. You can update your driver by going to Control Panel and then clicking on Device Manager. Next, look for anything with a yellow exclamation point next to it and right-click on the item with the yellow exclamation point. There will be an option for updating drivers and following the prompts from there.
Reset the Windows 10 networking settings
If you’re still noticing that your Ethernet cable is not detected, try resetting your Windows 10 networking settings. To do this, go to Settings > Network & Internet. You’ll see an option for Reset networking (at the bottom of the list).
Disable antivirus or firewall software on your PC
If you’re having problems with your Ethernet cable and you can’t seem to fix it, there is a simple solution: disable antivirus or firewall software on your PC. This is due to the fact that this software interferes with how your computer communicates with your Ethernet cable. If you disable these programs temporarily, you should be able to get your Ethernet cable working again.
