How to Fix: WiFi Doesn’t Have a Valid IP Configuration

Sometimes the TCP/IP network protocol layers work against each other and create problems with your Internet. This error can occur even if you are using an Ethernet connection. Usually, you had Internet connection issues and decided to run the Troubleshooter.

Instead of fixing the error, the Troubleshooter tells you there isn’t a valid IP configuration.

What Causes the WiFi Doesn’t Have a Valid IP Configuration Error?

Unfortunately, there isn’t just one simple fix for this error. There are many different reasons the Troubleshooter could be telling you this is wrong including the following:

Since there are many reasons you could see the WiFi doesn’t have a valid IP configuration error, we will walk you through methods to help you deal with each underlying cause.

Fixing the WiFi Doesn’t Have a Valid IP Configuration Error

Reset the Router

Sometimes a simple reset is all that is needed to fix this error.

Step #1

Shut down your computer. Then shut off your router.

Step #2

Unplug your router and wait two minutes before you plug it back into the power outlet. Wait another two minutes. Turn the router on again.

Step #3

Once your router is back on, turn on your computer

Release and Recreate Your IP Address

This is a quick method that helps if you have network problems causing the error.

Step #1

In the Start Menu search bar, type “Command Prompt” without quotation marks. Right-click “Command Prompt” and choose “Run as administrator.” You will need to click “Allow” to continue to the Command Prompt window.

Step #2

In the Command Prompt, enter “ipconfig /release” without quotation marks. Press [Enter].

Step #3

In the Command Prompt, enter “ipconfig /renew” without quotation marks. Press [Enter].

Step #4

Now type “exit” without quotation marks. Press [Enter].

That’s it. See if you can connect to your Internet. If you are still having trouble, continue to the next method.

Flush the Windows 10 DNS Cache

If the Windows 10 DNS cache becomes corrupt, it can cause many problems including the WiFi Invalid IP Configuration error. This method will clean your cache to get rid of any corrupt DNS files.

Step #1

Enter “Command Prompt” without the quotation marks into the search box. Right-“Command Prompt” and choose “Run as administrator.”

Step #2

Type “ipconfig /flushdns” without the quotation marks into the prompt and hit [Enter]. You should see a confirmation message saying the flush was successful.

Step #3

Now, type “ipconfig /renew” after the prompt without the quotation marks and hit [Enter]. When this finishes, close the command prompt and attempt to reaccess the Internet.

If you still see the error, continue to the next method.

Uninstall the Driver for the Wireless Adapter

If you have a faulty network driver, it can cause the WiFi invalid IP configuration error. This method will uninstall the defective driver and Windows should then automatically install a good version of it.

Step #1

Press the [X] key and the [Windows] key at the same time and click the “Device Manager” option that appears.

Step #2

Click “Network adapters” to expand it. Now, right-click on your network adapter and click “Uninstall device.”

Step #3

You will be warned that you are about to uninstall a device. Click “Uninstall” again to confirm that you want to do this.

Step #4

Now, restart your computer to apply the changes. Windows should automatically detect the missing driver and replace it with a good copy.

Check to see if you can connect to the Internet. If you can’t, continue to the next method.

Update Drivers

Although the previous method should ensure your network adapter drivers are not only functional but updated, sometimes other out-dated drivers may be interfering with your network connection. Use this method to update those.

Step #1

Reaccess the device manager, by pressing the [X] key and the [Windows] key together to open the Quick Link menu and choose “Device Manager.”

 

Step #2

One-at-a-time open each listed device to expand it. Now, right-click on the name of each device and click “Properties.”

Step #3

In the driver tab, choose “Update Driver.” Alternately, you can click make a note of the version of the driver you have and check on the manufacturer’s website for the latest version. If you do not have the latest version, you can download it and install it manually from this window.

 

Step #4

When you click Update Driver, you will see an option to have the computer automatically search for driver software. Choose this option.

Step #5

The computer should perform an automatic search. If your driver is up-to-date, you will see a message stating you already have the best driver installed for that device. Otherwise, the computer should automatically update the driver. Close the pop-up window once the search (and update if needed) is finished. Return to the device manager window (and Step #2) and follow the instructions for the next device until you have checked for driver updates on all the devices that are listed.

Step #6

Now, restart your computer.

Again, check your connection. Continue reading if you still haven’t resolved the error.

Reset the TCP/IP

If the Internet Protocol settings on your computer are not correctly configured or if they are corrupted, this is a quick fix to restore your Internet connection and get rid of the error. Although this fix is quick and easy, you should try some of the other methods first. Also, make sure you create a system restore point before doing this method.

Step #1

Return to the Command Prompt by typing “Command Prompt” without quotation marks into the Start menu. Right-click “Command Prompt” and choose “Run as administrator.” Click “Allow” if the computer asks for permission for the app to make changes.

Step #2

In the Command Prompt, enter “netsh winsock reset catalog” without quotation marks. Press [Enter].

Step #3

You should see confirmation that the Winsock Catalog was reset, and you will also see that you need to restart the computer. Now, enter “netsh int ipv4 reset reset.log” without quotation marks. Press [Enter].

 

Step #4

You will see a confirmation list. Next type “netsh int ipv6 reset reset.log” into the prompt without the quotation marks. Again, hit [Enter]. Another list will populate.

 

Step #5

Close the command prompt and restart your computer. Check to see if the error is resolved. If it is, you are done. If you are still having problems, continue to the next step.

Step #6

Press the [R] key and the [Windows] key at the same time and type “services.msc” into the Run box without the quotation marks. Click “OK.”

Step #7

Scroll down the list to “Wired AutoConfig” and then double-click it to open the properties window. The Startup type should be set to “Automatic,” and the service should be running. If it isn’t running, you need to start it. After making changes, you need to click “Apply” and “OK.”

Step #8

Now, look for WLAN AutoConfig in the Services window. Again, double-click on this and make sure it is set to “Automatic” and start it if it is not running. Click “Apply” and “OK” when you are finished making these changes.

This should resolve your Invalid IP Configuration issues, but if it doesn’t, you can continue reading the next method.

Do a Clean Boot

If third-party apps are interfering with the connection, restarting the computer without these apps running should resolve the matter. A clean boot reboots the computer with only necessary Microsoft apps running. A clean boot is not the same thing as booting into safe mode.

Step #1

Log as an administrator. Once you have logged in, press the [R] key and the [Windows] key at the same time to open the Run box. Type “msconfig” in it without quotation marks, and click the “OK” button.

Step #2

In the System Configuration window, click the services tab and make sure that “Hide all Microsoft services” has a checkmark next to it. Click the button to “Disable all.”

Step #3

Now, click the “Startup” tab in the System Configuration window. Then click on “Open Task Manager.”

Step #4

When the Task Manager opens, click the “Startup” tab in if it isn’t already open. Select each item you find there and click the button to “Disable” it if it isn’t already disabled. When you are finished, close the Task Manager.

Step #5

On the System Configuration window that is still open, click the “Apply” button and then “OK.”

Step #6

Click on the Power icon found on the Start menu and choose “Restart” to restart the computer.

Step #7

Once the computer restarts, attempt to access the Internet again.

As long as a third-party app was interfering with the Internet and causing the “WiFi Invalid IP Configuration” error, this method should resolve it.

Change the Number of Allowed DHCP Users

The steps for changing the number of DHCP users are different depending on the router you are using. You will need to consult the manual for the router to learn how to increase the number of users.

Check for a Conflict With Your Antivirus

In some cases, your third-party antivirus could be interfering with the IP configuration. The only way to confirm this is to uninstall the antivirus and see if the error is resolved. If it is, you need to consider using a different antivirus product.