Fixed: WiFi Doesn’t Have a Valid IP Configuration

Billions of people use WiFi, and several of them encounter errors such as “WiFi doesn’t have a valid IP configuration” error message. You encounter the error when the router IP address is different from the IP address on the wireless network adapter.

This issue may prevent your computer from accessing the internet via a Wi-Fi connection, limiting usage of your device and entirely disconnecting you from the internet without an alternative internet source. Our solutions can get you back on track.

Restart your PC

Restarting your PC can clean up network settings, clear up cache and temporary files, refresh network drivers, and reboot Wi-Fi hardware. All these solutions jointly contribute to solving the “Wi-Fi Doesn’t Have a Valid IP Configuration” error.

This fix also helps to eliminate potentially slow internet speed.

Restart your router

Restarting your router can also assist in refreshing network settings, clearing cache and temporary data, renewing the DHCP lease, and reestablishing wireless connections. It can also address unseen or possible hardware-related issues and would be a good fix if Wi-Fi doesn’t have a valid IP configuration.

Locate the router switch and turn it off for about 3 minutes to allow the router to shut down properly. Then turn it back on.

Change the Router’s SSID and Password

If the solutions above do not work, you may change the router’s SSID and password. Please note that you will require the router’s gateway IP, password, and username to access the settings. These details are usually labeled on the body of the router. After locating it, do the following:

1. With your browser opened, type in the gateway IP into a new browser tab, then hit Enter.
   
2. Then, log in to the router with the correct username and password.
   
3. Comb through the router settings and set a new the SSID and password.
4. Finally, save your changes.

Perform clean boot

A clean boot in Windows is a troubleshooting method that starts Windows with a minimal set of drivers and startup programs. This can help you to identify which driver or startup program is causing a problem. Performing a clean boot can potentially help fix the problem by eliminating any conflicting software or service interfering with the network connection. Here is how to do it.

1. Press the Windows and R keys at once to open the Run dialog, type msconfig and hit Enter.
   
2. Then, find the Services tab, click on it, and tick on the Hide all Microsoft services box.
   
3.  Click on the Disable all button and then click Apply.
   
4. Select the Startup tab and then click Open Task Manager.
   
5. Right-click the first enabled app on the Task Manager tab and select Disable.
   
6. Finally, follow step 6 to disable all enabled applications one after the other.
7. After disabling the apps, close Task Manager.
8. Restart your PC.

Reset Wireless Network Adapter

Resetting the wireless network adapter is a reliable fix that solves the IP issue by clearing any corrupt configurations or settings. It essentially restarts the network adapter, allowing it to establish a fresh connection with the WiFi network and obtain a valid IP configuration. Here is how to do it.

1. Press the Win + R keys to open the Run dialog, enter ncpa.cpl and select OK.
   
2. Once the Network and Sharing Center opens, right-click the wireless network adapter and click Disable.
   
3. Wait for about ten seconds to enable it.
4. Then, right-click the Wi-Fi adapter again and click Enable

Renew Your PC’s IP Lease

If restarting the router or disabling/re-enabling the wireless network adapter doesn’t solve the problem, try forcing your computer to renew its IP lease by running some commands via Windows PowerShell. These commands will also work in Command Prompt or Windows PowerShell if you choose to use any of those.

1. Press Windows + X at the same time and choose Terminal.
   
2. Enter the following commands below, hitting Enter after each and wait for the process to complete:
   ipconfig /release
ipconfig /flushdns (optional)
   ipconfig /renew
   
3. Lastly, close PowerShell.

Reset the TCP/IP Stack

If you suspect your PC’s TCP/IP stack is corrupt, resetting it may fix the issue. However, you will run a few commands from an elevated Windows PowerShell console with admin privileges. Alternatively, you can use the Command Prompt or Windows PowerShell, but ensure to run them as an administrator.

1. Press Windows + X at the same time and choose Terminal (Admin).
   
2. Enter the following commands below, hitting Enter after each, and wait for the process to complete:
   netsh winsock reset catalog
netsh int ip reset
   
3. Lastly, close PowerShell and restart PC.

Reinstall the Wireless Network Adapter

Uninstalling and reinstalling the wireless network adapter on your PC is handy if a corrupted driver is the cause of the problem. When you reinstall the wireless network adapter, the system uninstalls and reinstalls the wireless network adapter driver and the wireless network adapter.

Here is how to do so.

1. Press Windows + X to open the Quick Link menu, then choose Device Manager.
   
2. Then, expand Network adapters.
   
3. Right-click your wireless network adapter and click Disable device, then select Yes. 
   
4. Afterward, right-click the wireless network adapter again and choose Uninstall device.
   
5. Finally, restart your PC, and it should automatically re-install the wireless network adapter.

Update the Wireless Network Adapter

Updating the Network driver will install the latest updates and security patches. A wireless network adapter allows your computer to connect to a wireless network by converting the router’s radio signals into electrical signals that your computer can understand. With this, no cable is required.

Follow the steps below to complete the installation.

1. Press Windows + X to open the Quick Link menu, then choose Device Manager.
   
2. Then, expand Network adapters.
   
3. Right-click your wireless network adapter and click Update driver. 
   
4. Once the next screen opens, choose the Search automatically for drivers option.
5. Wait for the process to complete.
6. Finally, restart your PC.

Reset Network settings

Resetting network settings is a good fix for the IP Configuration error by helping to revert all network-related settings to their default state. This solution helps to clear any misconfigurations or corrupted settings that may be causing the IP configuration error. Here is how to accomplish it.

1. Press the Windows and I keys at once to open the Settings menu.
   
2. Then, select the Network & internet tab on the left pane.
   
3. After that, click on the Advanced network settings option.
4. Under More settings, click on the Network reset option.
   
5. Then, click the Reset now button next to Network reset and select the Yes response in the confirmation window when it comes up.
   
6. Finally, restart your PC.

Run the Network Adapter troubleshooter

Running the Network Adapter troubleshooter is a reliable fix that automatically detects and resolves common network adapter issues. The troubleshooter scans for network adapter settings problems relating to IP configuration, and connectivity, and attempts to fix them. Here is how to do it.

1. Press the Windows and I keys together to open the Settings menu.
   
2. Then open the System option.
   
3. Now scroll down to find the Troubleshoot option and click to enter, then click on Other trouble-shooters.
   
4. When done, click the Run button next to Network Adapter.
   
5. When the troubleshooter window opens, choose All network adapters 
6. Finally, click Next.

FAQs about the “WiFi doesn’t have valid IP configuration” error

1. What does WiFi doesn’t have a valid IP configuration mean?
   This error occurs when the IP Address Configuration on your router does not match the IP on your WiFi Network Adapter.
2. What causes no valid IP configuration?
   There could be several causes for this error, such as incorrect network configurations, outdated drivers, etc.
3. Does resetting WiFi reset IP address?
   Resetting your router will restore it to its original factory settings, meaning all configurations, including IP addresses, will be changed.
4. Does restarting the router change IP?
   Your internet service provider gives your router or wireless gateway a public, dynamic IP address. Whenever you restart either of these devices, a new IP address is assigned to them by your internet service provider.

In conclusion, your “WiFi doesn’t have valid IP configuration” error has network-related causes and can be expertly solved. Using the solutions in this article will eradicate the problem and other problems that may potentially arise.

Our solutions have been presented most straightforwardly, catering to both seasoned and novice users. We would appreciate it if you could share with us in the comments which solution proved to be the most effective for you.