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Windows 11 and Windows 10 Wired Internet Connection Usage and Troubleshooting Guide for the Home

Summary: For help in Windows 11 and Windows 10 with setting up, connecting, sharing files, photos, music, and troubleshooting your wired network see the appropriate section.

This article applies to This article does not apply to This article is not tied to any specific product. Not all product versions are identified in this article.
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Symptoms

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  • Wired Network Adapter (also known as a NIC, RJ45 jack, or port, Figure 1) - Desktops and many laptops have this device that is installed inside the computer (some newer laptops use an RJ45 to USB-C dongle, Figure 2). If you do not know if you have a wired adapter that is installed, contact the manufacturer of the computer.
    Network RJ45 Port
    Figure 1: RJ45 Port    		 Notebook RJ45 to USB C Dongle
    Figure 2: RJ45-to-USB-C Dongle
 
  • Broadband Router - The router is used to connect all your computers to a network, and to the Internet (when you only have one computer this device is not needed, as you can connect directly to the Modem your ISP provides).
 
  • Broadband Internet Service Provider (ISP) - Telephone (DSL) and Cable TV companies usually offer Internet service.

 

  1. Your Broadband Internet Service Provider (ISP) will either come to your residence or business and set up the broadband modem or send you a do-it-yourself kit.
    NOTES:
    • When using the do-it-yourself kit, follow the instructions that are provided for setting up the broadband modem or contact your ISP. Most likely, you must contact your ISP anyway to set up a username and password (when using DSL), or register your broadband modem (when using cable).
    • When you are not using a broadband router, the process is finished.

See the following instructions for setting up your wired network with a broadband router.

  1. Once the broadband modem is set up and working, remove the network or USB cable that is connecting the computer to the modem.
     
  2. Turn off the broadband modem for at least three or more minutes (this is necessary to make the broadband modem find the broadband router later).
     
  3. After the three or more minutes are up, attach the broadband router with the supplied network cable and turn the broadband modem back on.
     
  4. See the documentation that comes with your broadband router for installation instructions.
    NOTE: For more information about setting up your broadband router, see the manufacturer's website (Table 1).
     
    Manufacture Website Link
    Linksys External Link
         		 D-Link External Link
         		 Netgear External Link
         		 Belkin External Link
         		 Apple External Link
         		 SMC  External Link
         		 TRENDnet External Link
         		 TP-Link External Link
         		 Cisco External Link
         		 Ubiquiti External Link
     
    Table 1: Common Wireless Router Websites

 

  1. Plug a network cable into the RJ45 jack of the computer (Figure 1) or a USB-C to RJ45 dongle into the USB-C port of the computer (Figure 2), and the other end into the LAN port on your Modem or broadband router.
    NOTE: See the Dell Knowledge Base article Manuals and Documentation for your Dell Product, for information about how to get the manual for your computer, which provides you with the location of the RJ45 or USB-C port on your computer.
    Network RJ45 Port
    Figure 1: RJ45 Port    		 Notebook RJ45 to USB C Dongle
    Figure 2: RJ45-to-USB-C Dongle

 

 

  1. Try a known-good network cable (if available), at least ensure that both ends of your Ethernet cable are securely plugged into your computer and into the broadband router or modem.
  2. Run the Network Troubleshooter.
    1. Press and hold the Windows (Windows Key) key, and then press the q key.
    2. In the search box type, network troubleshooter
    3. Touch or click Find and fix Network problems (Control panel) from the results.
    4. Touch or click Next and follow the prompts.
  3. Turn off and then turn on all the devices on the network to reboot and synchronize them, for more information, see the Turn Off and Then Turn on All the Devices on the Network tab.
  4. Run the Dell SupportAssist Optimize Network application.
    1. Press and hold the Windows (Windows Key) key, and then press the q key.
    2. In the search box type, supportassist.
    3. Touch or click SupportAssist (Desktop app).
      NOTE: When SupportAssist does not appear in the list of applications, you must download it, either on the computer that has the issue (if possible) or to a USB memory key on another device that can reach the Internet. For more information about how to obtain and install SupportAssist, browse to the SupportAssist for PCs and tablets page. You may need to provide the Service Tag or Express Service Code of your Dell computer or select your computer model from a list.
    4. Touch or click the down arrow at the bottom of the SupportAssist window.
    5. Touch or click Run under Optimize Network.
    6. After the Optimize Network is finished, touch or click the History tab.
    7. Touch or click the latest listing of Optimize Network (Manual) to review the results.
  5. Ensure that the most current network adapter drivers, computer BIOS, and router firmware are installed.
    NOTE: When the affected device has no Internet connectivity to download a driver or BIOS, you must do one of the following to get the driver on the affected device:
    • Use another device that does have Internet connectivity to download the driver and use a USB Flash drive to transfer the driver to the affected device.
    • For tablets, use the USB cable that came with the tablet to transfer the driver to the tablet, which was downloaded to another device that does have Internet connectivity.
     
  6. For more information about downloading and installing the most current network adapter drivers, see Dell Knowledge Base article Drivers and Downloads FAQs.
    NOTES:
    • The network adapter drivers are listed in the Network, Ethernet & Wireless Category subsection.
    • For help with figuring out which network adapter is installed in your computer, see the Dell Knowledge Base article What Parts Are In My Dell System?
  7. When using a broadband router, update the router's firmware to the latest available, see the router documentation, or contact the router manufacturer, links are provided in Table 1.
    Manufacture Website Link
    Linksys External Link
         		 D-Link External Link
         		 Netgear External Link
         		 Belkin External Link
         		 Apple External Link
         		 SMC  External Link
         		 TRENDnet External Link
         		 TP-Link External Link
         		 Cisco External Link
         		 Ubiquiti External Link
     
    Table 1: Common Wireless Router Websites
  8. Ensure that the network adapter is connecting at its highest level. For more information, see the Configure the Network Adapter Settings for Optimal Performance tab.
  9. For more information about resolving issues getting to the Internet, see the Microsoft Knowledge Base article Fix Network Connection Issues in Windows 10 for advanced troubleshooting steps such as resetting the TCP/IP stack. External Link
  10. For more information about when the Ethernet Port is not working, see the Dell Knowledge Base article The Wired Network Adapter Still Cannot Connect.
  11. See the following articles corresponding to the browser installed on your computer.
  12. When the following steps do not resolve the issue, the Operating System on your computer has some sort of corruption. To explore the options on how to resolve any corruption, and when to use them, see the Dell Knowledge Base article Reset or reinstall Windows 10 on your Dell computer.

 

 

  1. Disconnect the power from the broadband modem and leave the broadband modem disconnected for at least 3 minutes.
  2. Shut down all the computers that are connected to the network.
  3. Disconnect the power from the wireless router.
  4. Verify that a network cable is connected from the Broadband Modem into the Internet or WAN port on the wireless router.
  5. Verify that no USB cables or serial cables are connected to the Broadband Modem.
  6. Connect the power to the broadband modem. Wait for at least 2 minutes for the Broadband Modem to initialize.
    (If the Modem does not establish an Internet connection successfully, unplug the Modem. Wait for at least 5 minutes, then plug in the Modem.)
  7. Connect the power to the wireless router. Wait for at least 2 minutes for the wireless router to initialize.
  8. Turn on the computer and try connecting to the Internet.
    NOTE: When you still cannot connect to the Internet, check to see if other computers can get on the Internet, or connect this computer with a network cable directly to your router (when these are options). When no other computers or this computer that is connected directly to your router cannot get to the Internet, you must contact your Internet Service Provider (ISP) or the manufacturer of your router.
  9. When your computer still cannot connect to the Internet, see the Resolving Not Able to Get to the Internet tab, and go to Step 4.

 

To determine which wired adapter is installed in your computer and configure the Network adapter settings for optimal performance, perform the following steps.

  1. Press and hold the Windows (Windows Key) key, and then press the q key.
  2. In the Search box, type device manager.
  3. Touch or click Device Manager (Control Panel).
  4. In the Device Manager window, click the arrow sign next to Network Adapters.
  5. Double-tap or double-click the wanted Network Adapters (it should read as Ethernet).
  6. Click the Advanced tab.
  7. In the Property: box, click Speed & Duplex and select Auto Negotiation from the drop-down menu.
  8. Click OK.
  9. Save any data, close any open programs, and restart the computer.
  10. When your computer still cannot connect to the Internet, see the Resolving Not Able to Get to the Internet tab, and go to Step 7.
NOTES:
  • When there is no Ethernet adapter listed, see the Dell Knowledge Base article Drivers and Downloads FAQs (see the How do I download and install device driver? section), which provides information about how to download drivers for the network adapter installed in your computer.
  • The network adapter drivers are listed in the Network, Ethernet & Wireless Category subsection.

 

 

HomeGroup has been removed from Windows 10 (Version 1803). See the Microsoft Knowledge Base article HomeGroup removed from Windows 10 (Version 1803) for more information and alternate means to share files and printers. External Link

See the Microsoft Knowledge Base article File sharing over a network in Windows for more information. External Link

 

  1. In the Search box, type troubleshoot.
     
  2. Touch or click Troubleshoot settings (System settings).
     
  3. Touch or click Other troubleshooters or Additional troubleshooters.
     
  4. Scroll down the page until you see Share Folders.
     
  5. Touch or click Share Folders.
     
  6. Touch or click Run or Run the troubleshooter and follow the prompts.

 

OneDrive is free online storage that comes with your Microsoft account. Save your files there and you can get to them from any personal computer, tablet, or phone.

For more information, see Microsoft Knowledge Base article Sync files with OneDrive in Windows. External Link

Cause

Not applicable.

Resolution

Not applicable.

Affected Products

Alienware, Inspiron, OptiPlex, Vostro, XPS, G Series, G Series, Alienware, Inspiron, Latitude, Vostro, XPS, Latitude Tablets, Surface, XPS Tablets, Fixed Workstations, Mobile Workstations
Article Properties
Article Number: 000133413
Article Type: Solution
Last Modified: 30 aug 2024
Version:  17
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