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"Local Area Connection Connected" But I Don't Have One

Anonymous
2020-07-12T23:00:59+00:00

Hello and thanks in advance.

When I click on the WiFi Network icon on the bottom right of my Windows 10 PC, I get a list of all WiFi networks in the surrounding area. Above the list it says "Local Area Connection" and it says that it is "Connected".

This happened a few days ago. I don't have any local area connection, I only use WiFi. I don't use Ethernet cables or anything. In fact, when I go to the Ethernet Settings on my PC, I am told that the Ethernet is Not connected but that the Local Area Connection is Connected.

Can anyone offer any insight and/or solutions?

Thank you for reading.

Windows for home | Windows 10 | Internet and connectivity

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  1. Anonymous
    2020-07-13T00:26:03+00:00

    It is not an actual connection or it would show up in Network Connections. It may be a ghost.

    Go into Device Manager reached by right clicking the Start button, under Network Adapters choose the Ethernet Adapter, choose Disable, restart PC. Is the listing still showing?

    If so go back to the same place, this time choose Ethernet Adapter > Uninstall, restart PC to reinstall the driver. How about now.

    It none of those steps work, see if you can find it using DevCon following the steps here:

    https://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/ie/...

    Also try the tools and registry location here: 

     windows 10 - Remove an unused/hidden network connection so that an existing name can be reused - Super User

    10+ people found this answer helpful.
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  1. Anonymous
    2020-07-13T00:45:15+00:00

    Your post, specifically the registry link, proved fruitful in a most unexpected way.

    At that link, I saw someone say, "Go to Device Manager > View > Show Hidden Devices". Immediately, an Apple Ethernet device appeared.

    I downloaded the IOS 14 Public Beta 2 for my phone recently. This must be a feature/symptom of the new software.

    Thank you so much!

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  2. Anonymous
    2020-07-12T23:48:48+00:00

    Thank you for the reply, I will wait.

    I have attached screenshots of the Ethernet Settings screen, surrounding networks (accessed by the wifi icon on the bottom right of the screen), and the Change Adapter Options screen.

    On the Ethernet Settings screen, when I click on Local Area Connection, the window crashes. Every. Single. Time. This does not happen when I click on Ethernet.

    I think I am actually connected to the wifi network because when I disconnect from it, I do not have access to the internet.

    I hope this helps.

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  3. Anonymous
    2020-07-12T23:18:54+00:00

    Hi Plz. I'm G Greg, an installation specialist, 10 years awarded Windows MVP, and Volunteer Moderator, here to help you.

    Can we see a screenshot showing the LAN listing on the networks list following these steps to take one, save it and then attach it using Insert Image in Reply box? http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-10/o....

    Please also include a screenshot of all adapters showing at Settings > Network & Internet > Status > Change Adapter Options.

    Otherwise I can only guess at what you're seeing.

    Do you know for sure that you're actually connected to your Wifi network and does it also show up on the Network list?

    What happens when you highlight the LAN network? Can you disconnect it?

    I hope this helps. Feel free to ask back any questions and keep me posted. If you'll wait to rate whether my post resolved your problem, I will keep working with you until it's resolved.

    ______________________________________________

    Standard Disclaimer: There are links to non-Microsoft websites. The pages appear to be providing accurate, safe information. Watch out for ads on the sites that may advertise products frequently classified as a PUP (Potentially Unwanted Products). Thoroughly research any product advertised on the sites before you decide to download and install it.

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