How to Fix Wi-Fi doesn’t have a valid IP configuration?

Wi-Fi doesn’t have a valid IP configuration is an error that you might have received when you troubleshoot your internet connection. This error can prevent you from accessing the internet, indicating that there is something wrong with the IP address. Windows diagnoses this problem but unfortunately, does not provide any solution to it. So, you must solve this problem yourself and not rely on Windows.

Causes of Wi-Fi doesn’t have a valid IP configuration error

There can be many causes of why you are receiving this error and these causes include:

  • Faulty Network
  • Incorrect Network Settings
  • Hardware Issues
  • Network Problems from your ISP
  • Receiving this error after Windows updates and others.

How to Fix Wi-Fi doesn’t have a valid IP configuration?

As mentioned, there can be various reasons why you may be receiving this error so, there are more than one fixes to this problem. You can try out each fix and see which works the best for you.

Fix 1: Release and Renew your IP address

This may be the easiest fix to this problem and this fix is quite simple and easy. Here is how you can resolve this problem by using this fix:

  1. Open Command Prompt with Admin Privileges by typing “cmd” in the Run box and selecting Run as administrator.
  2. Once Command Prompt opens with admin privileges, type the following command:
    • ipconfig /release
    • and press Enter.
  3. Now, type this command:
    • ipconfig /renew
    • and press Enter.
  4. Now, restart your computer to see if the problem is fixed or not.

Fix 2: Reset TCP/IP

Here is how you can fix this problem by resetting your TCP/IP:

  1. Open Command Prompt with Admin Privileges by typing “cmd” in the Run box and selecting Run as administrator.
  2. Once Command Prompt opens with admin privileges, type the following command:
    • netsh winsock reset
    • and press Enter.
  3. Then, type the following command:
    • netsh int ip reset
    • and press Enter.
  4. Restart your computer and see if this fixed the problem or not

Fix 3: Uninstalling/Updating Network Adapter Driver(s)

Sometimes the reason why you may be getting this error is because of a faulty network driver or an outdated network driver. A simple solution to this is to either uninstall the network driver or update the driver. Here is how you can do it:

  1. In the Run box, type Device Manager and hit Enter.
  2. When the Device Manager window opens then look for Network Adapters.
  3. Right-click on the adapter and Uninstall/Update it.
  4. Restart your PC for changes to take effect and see if the problem is fixed or not.

Fix 4: Manually Setting the IP Address

When you connect to an internet network then the IP address is automatically assigned by DHCP or Dynamic Host Control Protocol. However, when there is something wrong then DHCP fails to receive a valid IP address and hence you have to manually configure your IP Address.

It is a fix that works for most of the people and helps them get rid of Wi-Fi doesn’t have a valid IP configuration error. There is a little bit of technicality involved in this fixed and some people may think that this is difficult but in reality, it isn’t. You just have to manually set the values of your IP address and this problem will be most likely resolved.

Here is how you can manually set your IP Address:

  1. Right-click on the Start icon and click on Network Connections or Press Windows + I and select Network & Internet.
  2. Now, click Change adapter options.
  3. There you will see different networks including Ethernet Networks and Wireless network.
  4. Right-click on your wireless network and select Properties.
  5. Select Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) so, it gets highlighted. Now, click on Properties.
  6. Mark the “Use the following IP address:” and “Use the following DNS server addresses:” option and type the following values:
    • IP Address: 192.168.1.145
    • Subnet mask: 255.255.255.0
    • Default gateway: 192.168.1.1
    • Preferred DNS server: 8.8.8.8
    • Alternate DNS server: 8.8.8.4

Fix 5: Uninstalling your Antivirus Software

Several users have reported that their Antivirus program is the main culprit behind this issue and uninstalling your Antivirus program or disabling it resolves this issue. If after uninstalling or disabling the antivirus program, your internet starts working then you should switch to a different antivirus program that doesn’t cause this issue.