How to Troubleshoot Wired Ethernet Issues on a Dell Desktop

Table of Contents:

1. Resolving an issue with the wired Ethernet
2. Hardware Troubleshooting
3. Software Troubleshooting

Resolving an issue with the wired Ethernet

This guide takes you through some general troubleshooting steps to identify and resolve any wired networking issues with your Dell Desktop.

Common network faults on wired connections break down into three different categories:

• No connection
• Intermittent connection
• Slow connection

However, some troubleshooting steps are common to every fault.

Hardware Troubleshooting

1. Confirm that there is no damage to the Ethernet Controller port or to the network cable:

   • If there is damage, then you must check your warranty status. If it does not include accidental care, then any repair is chargeable.

   • If there is no damage, then you should carry on with the guide.

2. Ensure that the network cable is firmly connected at both the back of the desktop and your Router or network connection point. Does this resolve your problem?

   • Yes, then your issue is resolved and it was a physical connection issue.

   • No, then carry on with the guide.

3. Boot the desktop into the BIOS. Is the Light Emitting Diode (LED)s on the Ethernet ports link lights on, off or flashing?
   You can boot to the BIOS by tapping rapidly on the F2 key as it starts up:

   • If the LEDs are on, then it is picking up your network and a connection is in place. Go to step 4.

   • If the LEDs are off, then it does not detect your network and no connection is set:

     1. Confirm that your Ethernet controller is enabled in the BIOS and if it is go to step 4.

     2. Confirm that your Ethernet controller is enabled in the BIOS and if it is not - try enabling it. This either resolves your issue, or you must contact your technical support to take this further.

   • If the LEDs are flashing, then your Ethernet controller is communicating on your network. Carry on to step 4.

4. Rule out a loose Ethernet controller port by shaking your network cable while it is still plugged in at both ends. Do the LEDs status on the Ethernet port change when moving the cable?

   • If they do and your network cable has been ruled out, then you must contact your support to report a hardware issue.

   • If it does not, then go to the next section.

Software Troubleshooting

1. The next step is to rule the Operating System out of the issue. You can do this by two way swapping the Hard Drive in the same way we did the network cable earlier. Does the fault follow the drive or stay with the device? Alternatively, you can boot from an Ubuntu Live media and see if the same issue is seen?

   • Ubuntu Download Link 

   • If the fault is seen when you are booting from the live media or from a known good working Hard Drive, then contact your support to take this further.

   • The fault is not seen on the live media or works fine with a known good working Hard Drive installed. Carry on with the guide.

2. If the fault has been narrowed down to a software configuration issue, then the first question to ask is whether it would be quicker to reinstall or reimage the desktop than troubleshoot further.
   You know from the previous troubleshooting that a reinstall definitely resolved the problem, but can be a lot of work depending on what software and data are on the device and how you have gone about backups:

   • If it is quicker for you, then reinstall or reimage the desktop to resolve your issue.

   • If not, then carry on with the guide.

3. The easiest first troubleshooting step on a desktop running Windows is to run the Network Troubleshooter from the Settings. The troubleshooter either resolves your issue, or you must carry on to the next step.

4. Uninstall the Ethernet controller driver from Device Manager and install the latest driver from the support site for your model of desktop. This either resolves your issue, or you must carry on to the next step.
   Go to the run box and type mmc devmgmt.msc. Open up the network Controllers on the box that appears and right click the Ethernet controller and select uninstall.

5. Compare your Configuration to a working device on your network and see if there are any differences? If so, change the settings to reflect those on the working device. You can bring up a command prompt and there are several commands you can use.
   Go to the Run box and type cmd. A black window opens with a command prompt:

   Ipconfig /all

   This command lists all the connections on your desktop.

   Ipconfig /release

   This command drops your Internet Protocol (IP) address with your Internet Service Provider (ISP).

   Ipconfig /renew

   This command picks up a new IP address.

   Tracert *ip or web URL*

   This command shows you how many jumps and how long it takes for the Domain Name Server (DNS) to resolve an address and get you to a particular page or site. The more jumps and the longer it takes, the more likely there is a DNS issue. Reset your DNS to resolve.

   Ping *ip or web URL*

   This checks your connection to a site without bringing the site up or using anything that might be corrupted or disabled in your operating system. It is a basic check.

If that did not work, you can reset the Transmission Control Protocol (TCP)/IP Stack. If this does not resolve the issue, carry on to the next step.

How to reset TCP/IP by using the NetShell utility 

You may have been infected with Malware that is stopping your Ethernet controller from connecting. This is to prevent you from diagnosing and downloading removal software. I would advise running a scan with a third party application if possible. There are various freeware programs such as Malwarebytes available. If this type of program does not pick up any issues, it leaves reinstalling the image or operating system to resolve this.

To log a call or go through further troubleshooting. If you go to the support site, and ensure it is set to your country or region. Click the contact us link to see the latest information about how to get in touch.

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Recommended Articles

Here are some recommended articles related to this topic that might be of interest to you.

• Troubleshooting Internet Connectivity Issues on Your Dell Computer
• Network Controller (network adapter) Troubleshooting and Usage
• Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About the Network Interface Card and Ethernet port on a Dell Computer