Share via

HOW TO FIX ETHERNET CABLE IS NOT PLUGGED IN

Waqar Zafar 0 Reputation points
2026-02-08T13:53:06.4733333+00:00

i m trying to connet my pc with ethernet cable but its showing to me you ethernet cable is not plugged in . but i change cable and reset network setting and resart my router several time but its not solve . when i do troubleshoot there is 1 problem detect to me .. your computer does not meet the requirements for directeaccess. but i have advance PC, KINDLY TELL ME HOW I CAN SOLVE THIS PROBLRM .

Windows for home | Windows 11 | Internet and connectivity
0 comments No comments
{count} votes

3 answers

Sort by: Most helpful
  1. Sin-D 8,015 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator
    2026-02-11T04:05:22.39+00:00

    Hi Waqar Zafar,

    Thanks for reaching out to Microsoft Q&A Forum. I understand that your Windows 11 PC shows “Ethernet cable is not plugged in” even after changing cables, resetting network settings, and restarting the router, and you are also seeing a DirectAccess-related message during troubleshooting.

    Please make sure you already tried the Q&A Assist steps. I’d like to narrow this down a bit to better understand the scope:

    1, Does the Ethernet adapter appear in Device Manager without any warning icon, or is it missing entirely?

    2, Are you using a desktop PC with a built‑in Ethernet port or a USB Ethernet adapter?

    In the meantime, you can try these steps:

    1, Check Ethernet status in BIOS or UEFI

    • Restart the PC and enter BIOS or UEFI setup
    • Look for onboard devices or network settings
    • Make sure the onboard LAN or Ethernet option is enabled
    • Save changes and restart Windows

    2, Power drain the system

    • Shut down the PC completely
    • Unplug the power cable from the PC
    • If it is a laptop, also disconnect the battery if possible
    • Hold the power button for 30 seconds
    • Reconnect power and start the PC

    3, Reinstall the Ethernet adapter

    • Open Device Manager
    • Expand Network adapters
    • Right‑click the Ethernet adapter and select Uninstall device
    • Restart the PC and allow Windows to reinstall the driver automatically

    4, Check Ethernet port activity

    • Plug the Ethernet cable into the PC and router
    • Check if the Ethernet port LEDs turn on or blink
    • If there are no lights at all, this may indicate a hardware or firmware‑level issue

    5, Disable DirectAccess detection

    • Open Control Panel
    • Go to Network and Internet
    • Open Network and Sharing Center
    • Select Change adapter settings
    • Right‑click the Ethernet adapter and select Disable
    • Wait a few seconds, then Enable it again

    If the answer is helpful, please click "Accept Answer" and kindly upvote it. If you have extra questions about this answer, please click "Comment".  

    Note: Please follow the steps in our documentation to enable e-mail notifications if you want to receive the related email notification for this thread.  


  2. DYARI BARHAM 31,966 Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2026-02-08T15:46:21.98+00:00

    Hi ,

    I'm Dyari. Thanks for reaching out. I will be happy to assist you in this regard.

    If the stpes provided by the Q&A Assist, do not work for you, please right click Start> Device Manager > Expand Network Adapter > Screenshot and post it back.

    Click Start > Type system information and hit enter > Screenshot and post it back.

    0 comments No comments

  3. Q&A Assist
    2026-02-08T13:53:49.12+00:00
    AI generated content. This question contains an answer created with AI from Q&A Assist. Learn more

    To resolve the issue of your Ethernet cable not being recognized, you can try the following steps:

    1. Check Physical Connections: Ensure that the Ethernet cable is securely connected to both your computer and the router or modem.
    2. Test with Another Cable: Since you mentioned changing the cable, ensure that the new cable is functional by testing it on another device.
    3. Network Adapter Settings: Verify that the network adapter is enabled:
      • Right-click on the Start button and select Device Manager.
      • Expand the Network adapters section and check if your Ethernet adapter is listed and enabled. If it’s disabled, right-click and select Enable.
    4. Update Network Drivers: Ensure that your network drivers are up to date:
      • In Device Manager, right-click on your Ethernet adapter and select Update driver.
      • Choose Search automatically for updated driver software.
    5. Run Network Troubleshooter: You can run the built-in network troubleshooter:
      • Go to Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot > Additional troubleshooters > Network Adapter and follow the prompts.
    6. Check Network Settings: Ensure that your network settings are configured correctly. You can reset your network settings:
      • Open Command Prompt as an administrator and run the commands:
        • netsh int ip reset
        • netsh winsock reset
        • ipconfig /release
        • ipconfig /renew
    7. Check for Hardware Issues: If the problem persists, it may be a hardware issue with your network adapter or the router. You might want to test the Ethernet connection on another PC or try a different port on the router.

    If you continue to face issues, consider reaching out to your device manufacturer or an IT professional for further assistance.


    References:

    0 comments No comments

Your answer

Answers can be marked as 'Accepted' by the question author and 'Recommended' by moderators, which helps users know the answer solved the author's problem.