If you receive the “Wifi doesn’t have a valid IP configuration” error, this guide will fix the error for you.
Here is what the error looks like on Network Diagnostic troubleshooter.
Step 1: Enable DHCP on the Wi-Fi Adapter
The first step is to check the configuration of your Wifi network adapter. For most users (home or office), your network adapter is likely configured to receive IP address from a DHCP server.
To check the configuration of your Wifi adapter (Windows 10):
- Search Control Panel. The open it from the result.
- From Control Panel, click this path Network and Internet -> Network and Sharing Center until you get to a screen similar to the one below:
- Then click Change adapter settings. Network Connections will open. This will show a list of all Network adapters on your computer.
- Double-click the adapter that has “Wifi” on it. Your Wifi Adapter Status will pop up
- Click Properties.
- On the Wifi adapter properties, highlight Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4). Then click Properties. The IPv4 properties of the adapter will open. Confirm that it is set to Obtain an IP address automatically. If it is not, change it and click OK.
Step 2: Run IPConfig Release and Renew
Follow the steps below to force your Wifi Adapter to renew it’s IP address:
- Search Command Prompt.
- Next, right-click Command Prompt and select Run as administrator.
- At the command prompt, type the command below. Then press Enter.
ipconfig /release
- When the last command completes successfully, type this next command. Then press Enter
ipconfig /renew
Step 3: Update Your Wifi Network Adapter Driver
Here are the steps:
- Right-click Windows 10 start menu (Windows logo left of task bar).
- Then select Device Manager.
- When Device Manager opens, locate the Network adapters group and expand it. Then locate the device containing the name “Wireless”, right-click it and select Update driver.
- When Update Drivers – dialogue opens, select Search automatically for updated driver software. Windows will attempt to find an updated driver for your adapter. If one is available, it will update the driver.
If direct update does not work, try uninstalling the driver first. Then download the driver from the manufacturers website and update it manually.
Step 4: Check for Windows Update
Installing any pending Windows update may resolve “Wifi doesn’t have a valid IP configuration” issue.
Read How to Install Latest Windows 10 Update. You may also read more about Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) from Microsoft.
Conclusion
If the Wi-Fi adapter on your Windows PC is not picking up an IP address, it is likely that it is not configured as a DHCP client. The first step is to change this setting.
After that, you must renew the IP address by running the IPconfig command.
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Finally, to read more Windows 10 guides visit our Windows 10 Fixes page.
