How to Fix: Wi-Fi 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 network Troubleshooter. Instead of fixing the error, the Troubleshooter tells you that your Wi-Fi doesn’t have a valid IP configuration.

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

WiFi doesn’t have a valid IP configuration error is a common network error that can happen to any Windows user. Whenever users receive the “WiFi doesn’t have a valid IP configuration error” it is very likely that they will not be able to access the internet.

Unfortunately, there isn’t just one simple fix for this error. There are many different reasons the Troubleshooter could be telling you that your Wi-Fi connection doesn’t have a valid IP configuration, including the following:

• ​You need a new IP address for your computer
• ​You need to reset the TCP/IP
• ​You need to uninstall network adapter driver or update network adapter drivers that could be interfering
• A third-party app is interfering with your connection
• ​Your antivirus software is preventing you from connecting to the Internet
• ​Incorrect network settings
• You have faulty Wi-Fi adapter.

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

Fixing the Wi-Fi Doesn’t Have a Valid IP Configuration Error

Fix #1: Reset the Router

Sometimes a simple network reset is all that is needed to fix this error. Shutting down your wireless network might do the trick. This will reset your connection, fix the IP address, restore the router to the best setting and hopefully fix the Wi-Fi doesn’t have a valid IP configuration error you are experiencing.

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.

Step #4

Check your network connections to ensure your wireless network is on and the valid IP configuration error has been fixed. Hopefully, your settings like IP address and network configuration is restored with this network reset fixed the error.

Fix #2: Release and Renew Your IP Address

When you are unable to connect to your network, you may not be getting the correct IP address. In most cases, releasing and renewing your IP address if you have network problems causing the valid IP configuration error. By executing commands in Command Prompt, you will be able to change your network settings and renew your Internet Protocol version.

Renewing the IP Address allows the computer to request a new IP Address from a DHCP server such as a router. Releasing and renewing your IP address is a good practice to ensure you always have a smooth connection.

Step #1

To release your IP address, go to 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.

Step #2

Next, enter “ipconfig /release” without quotation marks. Press the enter [Enter] key.

Step #3

Now, enter “ipconfig /renew” without quotation marks. Press the [Enter] key.

Step #4

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

That’s it. See if you can connect to your Internet on your laptop or another wireless device. Did renewing your IP address fix the valid IP configuration Wi-Fi error? If you are still experiencing the WiFi doesn’t have a valid IP configuration error after changing your network settings, continue to the next method.

Fix #3: Flush the Windows 10 DNS Cache

If the Windows 10 DNS cache becomes corrupt, it can cause many problems, including the Wi-Fi 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 in 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 access the Internet.

If after resetting your DNS server to its default settings did not fix the valid IP configuration error has been fixed, continue to the next method.

Fix #4: Uninstall Wireless Network Adapter

If you have a faulty wireless network adapter driver, it can cause an invalid IP configuration error and not have any wireless connection. To fix the issue, you can try to uninstall wireless adapter driver. This method will remove the faulty network driver for one of your network adapters, and Windows should then automatically install a good version of it.

Step #1

To uninstall your wireless network adapter, press the [X] key and the [Windows] key at the same time and click the “Device Manager” option that appears.

Step #2

Expand “Network adapters” and 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 for your wireless network adapters. Your PC will download the wireless network adapter automatically.

Check to see if you can connect to the internet and if the valid IP configuration error has been fixed. If you can’t, continue to the next method.

Fix #5: Update the Wireless Network Adapter Drivers

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

Step #1

To update the wireless network adapter, press 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 network adapter driver’s version 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 an updated driver software. Choose this option.

Step #5

The computer should perform an automatic search. If the driver of your network adapter is up-to-date, you will see a message stating you already have the best network adapter driver installed for that device. Otherwise, the computer should automatically update the network adapter driver software. 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 listed devices.

Step #6

Now, restart your computer.

After you have successfully installed an updated driver software, check if you already have an active internet connection on all of the devices that has a wireless connection to your Wi-Fi network. Continue reading if you still have the valid IP configuration error.

Fix #6: Reset the TCP/IP

Sometimes, you may encounter a corrupt TCP/IP stack. This situation will cause numerous problems to your connection including showing you a valid IP configuration error.

If the Internet Protocol settings on your computer are not correctly configured or 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 in 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 the [Enter] key.

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 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 after resetting your TCP IPV4 & TCP IPV6. 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 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 if it is not running. Click “Apply” and “OK” when you are finished making these changes.

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

Fix #7: Do a Clean Boot

If third-party apps interfere 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 ensure 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 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

With the System Configuration window 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.

This method should resolve as long as a third-party app was interfering with the Internet and causing the “Wi-Fi Invalid IP Configuration” error.

Fix #8: 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 maximum wireless users. Once you manage to increase the maximum number of users, try and see if the valid IP configuration problem has been fixed.

Fix #9: Check for a Conflict With Your Antivirus

In some cases, your third-party antivirus could be interfering with the Wi-Fi IP configuration, network settings or network adapter. 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.

Fix #10: Set Up Your IP Address Manually

The IP address of each PC will be assigned automatically whenever you experience issues with your network. Reset network settings to fix the error.

• Press Windows Key + X and select Network Connections.
• Next, right-click your wireless network and choose Properties from the menu.
• Select Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) and click the Properties button.
• Next, choose the Use the following IP address option and enter the IP address, Subnet mask, and Default gateway (you might have to enter different data).
• After you’re done, click the OK button.

Fix #11: Check to Make Sure Your DHCP Is Turned On

If working on your wireless adapter driver did not solve the problem, you can check this method. Sometimes, you may have turned off your DHCP unknowingly. This causes problems with your connection as a result. To fix, simply turn on your DCHP.

• Make sure that DHCP is turned on
• Select Network Connections.
• Locate your wireless network adapter, right-click and select Diagnose.
• Diagnose network connection. Check DHCP is not enabled for WiFi.
• Wait for the scan to finish.

Fix #12: Configure the DNS Addresses Manually

Conflict in the DNS address will cause errors including the invalid IP configuration error. Fix the error by changing to an the Google DNS server address. Make sure to type in the exact DNS address to avoid making the valid IP configuration issue worst.

1. Access your Control Panel by pressing Windows + R and typing Control and press the “OK” button.

2. Go to Network and Sharing Center.

2. Click on “Change adapter settings” and right-click the Wi-Fi adapter or network connection that you are currently on and click “Properties”.

3. Next, scroll to Internet protocol version 4 (TCP/IPv4) and select Properties.

4. Use the following DNS Server addresses.

• Enter 8.8.8.8 as a preferred DNS Server and 8.8.4.4 as an Alternate DNS Server

6. Press OK to save your changes.

Restart your computer and check if the valid IP configuration error still persists.

Frequently Asked Questions: