How to Fix the ‘Wi-Fi doesn’t have a valid IP configuration’ Error on Windows 11

If you’ve ever experienced the “Wi-Fi doesn’t have a valid IP configuration” error while streaming a movie or playing a game, you know how frustrating it can be. This error typically occurs when your Windows 11 PC fails to obtain an IP address from your router. Therefore, in this blog post, we will provide possible fixes for the error of Wi-Fi doesnt have valid IP configuration and help you get going with your work in no time.

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Restart Your Router to fix Wi-Fi doesnt have valid IP

Before diving into advanced fixes, try restarting your router. This simple step clears the old cache and settings that may be causing the issue.

Restart WLAN AutoConfig Service

Windows relies on the WLAN AutoConfig service to connect your PC to your Wi-Fi router. Therefore, an error in this service could be the reason for the “Wi-Fi doesn’t have a valid IP configuration” error. To restart the service:

1. Open Taskbar and search for Services.
2. Navigate to the WLAN AutoConfig service and click Restart.

Change IP Address Settings to Automatic

If you recently installed a new Wi-Fi chip or manually entered a custom IP address, it could be the reason for the errors. Here’s how to change the settings and allow Windows to get an IP address automatically:

1. Open the Control Panel and select small or large icons in the top right corner.
2. Navigate to Network and Sharing Center and click “Change adapter settings” on the left.
3. Right-click on your Wi-Fi network and select Properties.
4. In the Properties window, double-click on “Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4).”
5. Select “Obtain an IP address automatically” and click OK.
6. Similarly, click on “Obtain an IPv6 address automatically” for “Internet Protocol Version 6 (TCP/IPv6).”

Renew IP Address and Flush DNS Cache

Since your PC is having issues obtaining a valid IP address from the router, forcing Windows to acquire a new IP address from the router and flushing the DNS could help solve this issue. To do this:

1. Open Windows PowerShell as an administrator.
2. Run the following commands in the same order.

   ipconfig /release
   ipconfig /flushdns
   ipconfig /renew

3. Check if Windows can connect to your Wi-Fi.

Reset TCP/IP

1. In the search menu, type in Terminal and select “Run as Administrator.”
2. Now, type the following commands in the console and press Enter after each one:

   netsh winsock reset
   netsh int ip reset

3. Restart your PC and check if the issue is resolved or not.

Update Network drivers

Although it’s unlikely, outdated network drivers could be causing issues with your Wi-Fi connectivity. To update them:

1. Open the Device Manager by right-clicking on the Start menu.
2. Navigate to “Network Adapters” and click on it.
3. In the list below, right-click on your adapter and select Update.
4. Follow the instructions to update your drivers and then restart your PC.

Re-enable Network Adapter

1. In the Run dialog box, type in ncpa.cpl and press enter.
2. Right-click on Network Adapter in the following window and select Disable.
3. Wait for a few seconds and enable it again.

Reset Network Settings to fix Wi-Fi doesnt have valid IP configuration

If none of the above methods worked for you, then you can try resetting your network settings as a last resort. To do this:

1. Open the Settings app and go to the Network & Internet tab.
2. Click on Advanced network settings and select Network reset.
3. Click the Reset Now button.

Note- After the restart, you will have to manually enter your IP details again

Conclusion

Encountering the ‘Wi-Fi doesn’t have a valid IP configuration’ error on your Windows 11 PC can be frustrating, but there are many methods to fix it, and most of them are easy to follow. However, if all else fails, you can always try restoring your PC to a previous point in time.