Following the upgrade to the latest 24H2 version of Windows 11, numerous users have reported issues with their network and internet connectivity. It seems the DHCP functionality in Windows 11 is currently malfunctioning.
To clarify, the Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) is responsible for automatically assigning IP addresses to devices connected to a network. However, after the 24H2 update, this process seems compromised. While the DHCP server may still assign IP addresses correctly, it’s possible that the server itself is using an incorrect address.
This article provides several methods to help resolve the issue. If these solutions do not work, you might consider rolling back to a previous version of Windows.
Tip 1: Requery Your IP Address
Begin by launching a new command prompt as an administrator in Windows 11. You can accomplish this by right-clicking on the Start button and selecting Terminal (Admin) from the menu.
In the command prompt window, type the following commands to release your current IP address and request a new one:
ipconfig /release
ipconfig /renew
Although the likelihood of restoring your internet connection this way is low, it remains a simple procedure worth attempting.
Tip 2: Configure Static DNS Servers
With DHCP currently not functioning, you can manually set specific IP addresses for DNS resolution.
Start by searching for View network connections in the Start menu and open it. This will bring up the Network Connections window, where you can right-click on your active network and select Properties.
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In the Properties window, double-click Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4), and adjust the settings to Use the following DNS server addresses.
Input 8.8.8.8 as the preferred DNS server (Google’s DNS) and 1.1.1.1 as the alternate (Cloudflare’s DNS). Then click OK and check your internet connection. If it still doesn’t work, consider restarting your computer and testing again.
Tip 3: Establish a Static IP Address
If the previous step didn’t resolve the issue, return to the same Properties window and change the option to Use the following IP address. Fill in a valid IP address, subnet mask, and default gateway.
You can find your device’s current IP address using the ipconfig command in Terminal. Make sure that the IP address is unique within your network and corresponds with the subnet. The gateway and subnet information can typically be sourced from other devices on the network.
Tip 4: Reset Network Settings
If previous solutions have not yielded results, open the Settings menu (using the keyboard shortcut Windows key + I is quick), navigate to Network & Internet, and then Advanced network settings. Scroll down and click on Network reset, and follow the prompts.
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After resetting, Windows should be able to reconnect to your network. However, keep in mind that this doesn’t always resolve the current issues.
Tip 5: Reinstall the Network Adapter Driver
Open the Start menu and enter devmgmt.msc, then press Enter. This action will open the Device Manager. Scroll down to Network adapters and double-click on your network adapter.
Within the Properties window of your network adapter, switch to the Driver tab and click on Update Driver.
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Select Browse my computer for drivers, then choose Let me pick from a list of available drivers on my computer. You will see a list of drivers that are compatible with your network adapter. Choose one and click Next to initiate the installation process.