Windows 10 - "No Valid IP Configuration" with Pixel 8a USB Tethering (NCM Driver)

Question

Hello,

I'm encountering the following problem:

My Windows 10 laptop fails to get a valid IP address when USB tethering with my Google Pixel 8a. The connection shows "Unidentified network" and ipconfig confirms an APIPA address (169.254.x.x).

Key Facts:

. A different Android phone (Samsung A25) works perfectly on the same laptop and cable.

. My Pixel 8a works perfectly on a different computer.

. The problem is 100% isolated to this specific Windows 10 machine interacting with the Pixel 8a.

Troubleshooting Performed:

. Hardware: Swapped cables and USB ports.

. Drivers: The correct UsbNcm Host Device driver is installed. Forcing the legacy RNDIS driver causes a Code 10 error.

. Phone Settings: Disabled Private DNS, no VPN active, set default USB config to Tethering, and reset network settings on the phone.

. Windows Network Repair: Ran ipconfig /renew, netsh winsock reset, netsh int ip reset, and even performed a full Network Reset from Windows Settings. None of these actions solved the problem.

. System Integrity: sfc /scannow and DISM found no errors.

. Safe Mode Test: In Safe Mode with Networking, the UsbNcm Host Device driver fails to start, indicating the issue is not third-party software but a core Windows component corruption.

Conclusion: I have exhausted all standard and advanced troubleshooting steps. The system is unable to complete the DHCP handshake with the Pixel's NCM driver due to what appears to be a deep-seated corruption in the Windows networking stack.

Before proceeding with a full Windows in-place upgrade, I am looking for any other possible solutions.

Could someone help me?

Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance and I look forward to your reply.

Simone