Fix Ethernet that will not work
We'll check the cable, driver, and port—so Ethernet works or we tell you when to escalate.
What you'll need
- Ethernet cable
- Router and device with Ethernet port
Step-by-step diagnostic
Quick triage — pick your path
Quick triage — pick your path
Choose the option that matches what you see. You can jump straight to that section.
- Follow this guide Work through the full procedure from cable to driver.
- Cable and link light You want to confirm the cable is seated and the link light is on first.
- Driver and adapter The link light is on but the device does not recognize Ethernet, or you see driver errors.
- Link on but no internet The link light is on but web pages do not load.
- When to call support All steps are done but Ethernet still will not work.
Show full guide
Steps
Goal: Confirm cable and link, then check driver and adapter so Ethernet works.
- Confirm the cable is firmly seated in both ports. Check the link light on the router and device.
- Good: Link light on. Proceed to Cable and link light.
- Bad: No link light—see Fix an Ethernet cable that will not connect.
Cable and link light
Goal: Rule out physical and cable issues.
- Push the cable firmly into both ports. You should hear a click. Check the link light—green or amber when linked.
- Try a different LAN port on the router and a different cable if the link does not come up.
- Good: Link light on. Proceed to Driver and adapter.
- Bad: No link on any port or cable—see Fix an Ethernet cable that will not connect or call support.
Power-cycle
Goal: Reset the router and device so the port can negotiate.
- Unplug the router and device from power. Wait 60 seconds. Plug in the router first, wait 30 seconds, then plug in the device. Wait for the link light to come back on.
- Good: Link light on after restart. Proceed to Verification.
- Bad: Still no link—proceed to Driver and adapter.
Driver and adapter
Goal: Confirm the Ethernet adapter is enabled and the driver is installed.
- Windows: Settings > Network & Internet > Ethernet. Device Manager > Network adapters—right-click Ethernet, Update driver or Uninstall (restart to reinstall). Confirm the adapter is not disabled.
- Mac: System Settings > Network. Confirm Ethernet is listed and connected. General > Software Update.
- Linux:
ip link show—confirm the interface exists and is not DOWN.lspci -kto see the driver. Install firmware or kernel updates. - Good: Adapter enabled, driver installed. The OS shows Ethernet connected.
- Bad: Driver up to date but port still does not work—try a different port, call support.
Link on but no internet
Goal: When the link light is on but web pages do not load, the issue is modem or router.
- Power-cycle the modem and router. Check the modem WAN/Internet light. If it is off or blinking, the modem has no sync.
- See Fix a modem that will not connect or Fix Wi‑Fi that connects but has no internet.
- Good: Modem has sync—wired should work. Bad: Modem has no sync—contact your ISP.
When to get help
Call the device or router manufacturer when:
- The link light is on but no internet after checking modem and router.
- The driver is up to date and the port still does not work.
- No link light on any port or cable—the port or device may be faulty.
Have ready: device model, OS version, whether the link light is on, driver version, and what you tried.
Verification
- The link light is on at both ends.
- The OS shows Ethernet connected with an IP address.
- Web pages load (e.g. fast.com shows speeds).
Escalation ladder
Work from the device outward. Stop when the problem is fixed.
- Cable and link Confirm cable seated; check link light on port.
- Power-cycle Power-cycle router and device; wait for link.
- Driver and adapter Update or reinstall Ethernet driver; confirm adapter enabled.
- Different port or cable Try different LAN port and cable to isolate fault.
- Call support Link on but no internet—check modem. Driver good but no link—call manufacturer.
What to capture if you need help
Before calling support or posting for help, have these ready. It speeds everything up.
- Device model and OS version
- Whether the link light is on
- Driver version (Device Manager or lspci -k)
- Steps already tried
Is the cable firmly seated and is the link light on?
No link light means physical or cable issue.
Push the cable firmly into both ports. Check the link light on the router and device. Good: link light on. Bad: no link—see Fix an Ethernet cable that will not connect.
You can change your answer later.
Fix cable first
Seat the cable firmly. Try a different port and cable. See Fix an Ethernet cable that will not connect for full steps. If no link on any port or cable, the port or device may be faulty—call support.
Does the device show Ethernet connected in the OS?
Link on but OS does not show connected—adapter or driver issue.
Check network status: Windows—Settings > Network & Internet. Mac—System Settings > Network. Linux—ip addr. Good: OS shows Ethernet connected. Bad: OS does not show Ethernet—check adapter enabled and driver.
You can change your answer later.
Update or reinstall the driver
Adapter disabled or driver missing—port will not work.
Windows: Device Manager > Network adapters—Update driver or Uninstall (restart to reinstall). Mac: System Settings > General > Software Update. Linux: lspci -k; install firmware or kernel updates. Confirm adapter is enabled. Good: driver installed, adapter enabled. Bad: still no Ethernet—try different port, call support.
Do web pages load when you open fast.com?
Link on, OS connected—but no internet means modem or router.
Open fast.com in a browser. Good: page loads—Ethernet works. Bad: page does not load—power-cycle modem and router. Check modem lights. See Fix a modem that will not connect or Fix Wi‑Fi that connects but has no internet.
You can change your answer later.
Ethernet working
Ethernet is working. The device has network access.
Check modem and router
Power-cycle the modem and router. Check modem WAN light. If off or blinking, contact your ISP. See Fix a modem that will not connect.
Reviewed by Blackbox Atlas
Frequently asked questions
- Why would Ethernet not work?
- Common causes: loose cable, bad cable, disabled adapter, missing or outdated driver, faulty port, or router/modem issue. Check cable and link light first, then driver and adapter status.
- How do I know if my Ethernet is working?
- The link light on the port should be on when the cable is connected. In the OS, the network icon should show "Connected" or "Ethernet" with an IP address. Open fast.com to confirm internet.
- Do I need to update my Ethernet driver?
- Yes, if the adapter shows a warning in Device Manager (Windows) or the device does not recognize the port. Download the driver from the device or motherboard manufacturer—not a generic driver site.
- When should I call support?
- Call the device or router manufacturer when the link light is on but you have no internet after checking modem and router, or when the driver is up to date and the port still does not work.
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