When your Windows 11 PC fails to connect to an active IP (Internet Protocol) address over the Wi-Fi network, you continue to run into a ‘Wi-Fi doesn’t have a valid IP configuration’ error. You can restart the PC and try connecting to the same Wi-Fi network. But if the problem persists, use the tricks below to fix the problem.
Errors like ‘Wi-Fi doesn’t have a valid IP configuration’ can break your workflow in no time. After all, you need an active Wi-Fi network to get work done. Thankfully, it’s quite easy to troubleshoot network problems.
1. Restart Router
Rebooting your home or office router is one quick way to fix Windows Wi-Fi issues. You need to remove the power plug from the router, wait for a couple of minutes, and plug it back in. If all your devices are facing issues with Wi-Fi, update the router firmware to the latest version.
You can read your router OEM’s official documentation to update the firmware on it. Companies like Asus and TP-Link offer a detailed guide to complete the process.
2. Reset the Network Adapter
You can disable the network adapter and enable it again to fix Wi-Fi issues.
Step 1: Press the Windows key and search for Network connections. Hit Enter.
Step 2: Right-click on the Wi-Fi adapter and select Disable.
Step 3: Enable it from the same menu.
3. Reset the PC’s IP Lease
If the tricks above don’t work, it’s time to force your PC into renewing its IP lease. You need to run several commands in Windows Terminal.
Step 1: Open Windows Terminal on your PC.
Step 2: Run the following commands and hit Enter after each.
ipconfig /release
ipconfig /flushdns
ipconfig /renew
Close the terminal and see if ‘Wi-Fi doesn’t have a valid configuration’ error shows up.
4. Reinstall the Network Adapter
This trick worked like a charm when we ran into the ‘Wi-Fi doesn’t have valid configuration’ on our PC. Here’s how you can take care of outdated network adapter drivers.
Step 1: Open the Device Manager menu on Windows.
Step 2: Expand Network adapters. Right-click on the network adapter and select Uninstall.
Reboot your PC, and the system installs relevant drivers during the restart process.
5. Reset the TCP/IP Stack
You can also reset the TCP/IP stack on Windows and try your luck with the wireless connection.
Step 1: Hit the Windows key, search for Windows PowerShell, and run it as admin.
Step 2: Execute the following commands.
netsh winsock reset catalog
netsh int ip reset
Close the app and restart the PC. It should take care of the corrupted TCP/IP stack on Windows.
6. Detect the IP Address Automatically
Did you tweak your PC’s network adapter with a custom IP address and DNS settings? You need to revert such changes. Here’s how.
Step 1: Press Windows + R to open Run. Type ncpa.cpl and click OK.
Step 2: Right-click on the Wi-Fi adapter and open properties.
Step 3: Double-click on TCP/IPv4 under the Networking tab.
Step 4: Click the radio button beside ‘Obtain an IP address automatically’ and click OK.
Repeat the same for TCP/IPv6 and close the menu.
7. Change Router’s SSID and Password
It’s another handy trick to troubleshoot the ‘Wi-Fi doesn’t have a valid IP configuration’ issue. Before we start, you need to access your router’s gateway IP, username, and password. You can find such details on your router too.
Step 1: Enter the gateway IP to a new tab in the browser.
Step 2: Log in to your router via the username and password.
Step 3: Change the Wi-Fi name and password and save the changes.
Now, head to Windows Settings > Network & Internet and connect to a new Wi-Fi network.
8. Run Network Adapter Troubleshooter
Running network adapter troubleshooter fixes glaring issues like ‘Wi-Fi doesn’t have valid configuration’.
Step 1: Head to Windows Settings and go to System > Troubleshoot > Other Troubleshooters menu.
Step 2: Click Run beside Network adapters and follow the on-screen instructions.
9. Explore the Ethernet Connection
Even though you have a high-speed Wi-Fi network at home or office, nothing beats a dedicated Ethernet connection. You should invest some time in setting up Ethernet at home.
Take Care of Wi-Fi Issues on Windows
When you have Wi-Fi issues, your Windows PC is good for playing offline titles only. The tricks above should take care of the ‘Wi-Fi doesn’t have a valid IP configuration’ issue in no time.
