Solved: DHCP is not enabled for local area connection windows 10 /8.1/ 7

Unable to visit web pages after installing Windows update or Experience no internet access after windows 10 upgrade? Suddenly Network connection gets disconnected, or Web browser fails to reach destination pages. And running the Network and internet troubleshooter results “DHCP is not enabled for local area connection” And for Wireless network the result would be different like:

• DHCP is not enabled for WiFi
• DHCP is not enabled for Ethernet
• DHCP is not enabled for Local Area Connection
• Local Area Connection does not have a valid IP configuration

Let’s understand What is DHCP? and why Windows occur “DHCP is not enabled for ethernet/WiFi” on Windows 10, 8.1 and 7.

What is DHCP?

DHCP stands for Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol, which is a standardized network protocol that assigns reusable IP addresses within a network. In other words, DHCP is a client or server based protocol that allows assigning automated IP host and its address for network connectivity. DHCP is enabled by default on all Windows computers to provide network stability and reduce static IP address conflicts.

But sometimes due to incorrect network configuration, faulty network device, Software conflicts or outdated network adapter driver DHCP server fails to assign IP address to the client machine. That result client machine cant communicate with network devices, fails to connect to the internet and result “DHCP is not enabled for ethernet/WiFi”

Fix DHCP is not enabled windows 10

So if you are also suffering from this problem, here how to enable DHCP for ethernet or WiFi on Windows 10, 8.1 and 7.

• First of all once Restart your Device include network devices (Router, Switch, and modem).
• Temporarily Disable VPN and Security software (antivirus) if installed.
• Clear browser cache and temp files to check and make sure any temporary gitch does not prevent to access web pages. We recommend once run free system optimizer like Ccleaner that clear browser history, cache, cookies and more with one click. Also, fix corrupted broken registry entries.
• Perform Windows Clean boot to check and make sure any third-party confliction not causing the network and internet restriction.

Still, the problem not resolved let’s try the solutions below.

Configure your network adapter settings

The problem in question often stems from incorrect adapter settings, so you should tweak them straight away:

1. Locate the Internet icon (Ethernet/WiFi) and right-click on it.
2. Click on Open Network and Sharing Center.
3. In the left pane, there is the ‘Change adapter settings’ option. Click on it.
4. Locate your active network adapter (WiFi or Ethernet) connection. Right-click on it and choose Properties.
5. Navigate to Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4), double click on it to open its properties.
6. Here Check the configuration is set “Obtain an IP address automatically” and “Obtain DNS server address automatically” as shown image below.
7. If not set them to Automatically obtain IP and DNS address.

That’s all Click OK to confirm the changes and save. Now reboot your PC and try to access the Internet.

Check DHCP client service Running

If due to any reason or temporary gitch DHCP client service stopped or stuck running stage this would cause fail to assign IP address to client machine, let’s check and enable the DHCP client service. To do this

1. Open the Run box by simultaneously pressing the Windows logo key and R.
2. Type services.msc and hit the Enter key.
3. In the list of services, scroll down and look for DHCP Client
4. If its running stage, Right-click and restart the service.
5. In case it’s not started then double-click on it.
6. Set its startup type to Automatic, and start the service.
7. Click Apply and then OK to save the changes.
8. Restart Windows for better result, and open the webpage to check if the Internet started working.

Disable Proxy

1. Press Windows + R, type inetcpl.cpl and press Enter.
2. The Internet Properties window will open.
3. Navigate to Connections and click on LAN settings.
4. Locate the Use a Proxy Server for your LAN option and uncheck it.
5. Check Automatically detect settings.
6. Click OK to confirm your actions.
7. Reboot your PC and check if you can connect to the Internet now.

Reset Winsock and TCP/IP

Still, need help? you might need to reset your Winsock and TCP/IP configuration that reset network configuration to the default setup. And fix most of the Windows network and Internet connection problems.

• Type Cmd on Start menu search, Right-click on Command prompt and select run as administrator.
• Type the following commands, pressing Enter after each

netsh int ip reset
netsh winsock reset
nbtstat –r
ipconfig /release
ipconfig /renew
ipconfig /flushdns
ipconfig /registerdns

• After executing these commands type exit to close the command prompt, and restart windows. Check your Internet connection.

Update/Reinstall Network Adapter Driver

If all the above solutions failed to fix “DHCP is not enabled for ethernet/WiFi” then there is a chance the installed network adapter driver is outdated, not compatible with the current windows version that fails to receive IP address from DHCP server. We recommend update or reinstall the network driver following the steps below.

Update Network Adapter Driver

• Press Windows + R, type devmgmt.msc and ok to open device manager.
• Expand Network adapter, right-click on active network adapter driver select update driver
• select option “Search automatically for updated driver software”, let windows to check and Install best available driver for your Installed network adapter.
• After that Restart windows and Check, Internet connection started working.

Reinstall Network Adapter driver

If Windows didn’t find any driver let’s do it manually.

First Download the latest network adapter driver (for ethernet or WiFi) for your PC on a different laptop or PC (which has an active internet connection). And save the latest drivers on your local PC (Which causing the problem)

• Now open Device Manager, (devmgmt.msc)
• Expand network adapter, right-click on active network adapter driver select uninstall the device.
• Click yes when asking for confirmation and restart windows to completely uninstall the network driver.
• Most of the time on next restart Windows automatically install the build-in driver for your network adapter. (So check once its installed or not)
• If not installed open device manager, click on Action and select “scan for hardware changes”
• This time windows scan and install the network adapter(driver), If ask for driver select the driver path which you downloaded from the manufacturer’s website.
• Restart your PC and check Internet connection started working.

Did these solutions help to fix “DHCP is not enabled for ethernet or WiFi on Windows 10 PC”? Let us know on the comments below also read How to fix Google chrome has stopped working windows 10, 8.1 and 7.