topic Re: Ethernet connection in Tech Help - Software/Hardware etc

Ethernet connection

stevejd58 — Tue, 06 May 2025 13:34:11 GMT

I have an Ethernet connectivity problem although my WiFi is fine but slower than wired.
Pc is windows 11 24H2 build 26100.3915 accessing plusnet via a TP Link Deco X20, ethernet via a TP Link powerline set up, security is Bitdefender Total Security.

My son is also on a powerline adapter and has no ethernet connection issues whatsoever, so I'm guessing its to do with my pc settings.

The get help option in the network settings states that no DHCP was found and the connection comes up as an unidentified connection.

I have tried the obvious and changed the cable although the ethernet lights were showing activity on the old one as well.
I have completed the ipconfig clear and reset options in CMD with no effect.
The Deco control panel is app based and not that useful.
I'm wondering if manually setting my ethernet connection is the way to go and if so what are the settings in windows 11?

Re: Ethernet connection

Baldrick1 — Tue, 06 May 2025 14:38:49 GMT

Moderator's note:
Thread moved from Broadband to Tech Help.

Re: Ethernet connection

Baldrick1 — Tue, 06 May 2025 14:42:59 GMT

How are your Powerline devices configured? Can you confirm that there is a single powerline device connected to your router with both satellites units slaved from it? If so, the two satellites should be interchangeable.

Re: Ethernet connection

stevejd58 — Tue, 06 May 2025 19:16:00 GMT

Powerline setup is as follows

TP-link Deco X20 set up as a DSL (FTTC) modem router, connected to a powerline plug with three other plugs paired with it

Sky box and son's pc connected to additional plugs with no connection issues.

This pc (currently on wifi) connected to a forth powerline plug shows network activity at pc ethernet port but no internet connection.

I have exchanged the plug from mine to a known working one and this shows there is no fault in any of the plugs.
It has to be a windows 11 setting issue that's not allowing ethernet connection.

Network and internet settings show no internet connection

Re: Ethernet connection

bobpullen — Wed, 07 May 2025 07:50:40 GMT

Has is ever worked?

What is the output of ipconfig /all for the Ethernet adapter of the affected PC (whilst plugged into the Powerline adapter)?

If you check the TCP/IP v4 properties for the Ethernet Adapter is everything configured to obtain details automatically?

Re: Ethernet connection

stevejd58 — Wed, 07 May 2025 08:18:49 GMT

Yes it has worked since install, this seems to be a recent issue.

Yes, settings for TCP/IP v4 are set to automatic

Re: Ethernet connection

stevejd58 — Wed, 07 May 2025 09:54:35 GMT

I also did a windows reset/repair which also made no difference

Still coming up with no DHCP server found

Re: Ethernet connection

bobpullen — Thu, 08 May 2025 18:20:12 GMT

You can try manually configuring the TCP/IP properties but given the symptoms you describe, I'd be surprised if it helped (for IP, make sure you use an address that no other device on your network has): -

IP: 192.168.1.50 Gateway: 192.168.1.254 Subnet mask: 255.255.255.0 DNS: 212.159.6.9 DNS: 212.159.6.10

As mentioned previously, running 'ipconfig /all' from a Windows command line (before attempting manual config) will show the configuration of the network adapter which may offer some clues. I suspect it's probably going to show that the adapter is assigned an APIPA address though (i.e. something in the range 169.254.0.0/16).

It does sound like something specific to the Powerline adapter/your PC. Is it definitely on the same electrical circuit and have you tried swapping your Ethernet cables out? If you swap your Powerline unit with a 'working' one, are you saying that the working also fails to work at the Desktop PC's location?

Assume it's not practical to try cabling the PC to the location of one of the 'working' Powerlines?

Re: Ethernet connection

stevejd58 — Thu, 08 May 2025 19:17:22 GMT

Hi Bob

I tried your settings suggestion without any success.
Ipconfig /all comes up with the following

C:\Windows\System32>ipconfig /all

Windows IP Configuration

Host Name . . . . . . . . . . . . : StevesPC
Primary Dns Suffix . . . . . . . :
Node Type . . . . . . . . . . . . : Hybrid
IP Routing Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
WINS Proxy Enabled. . . . . . . . : No

Ethernet adapter Ethernet:

Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Realtek PCIe GbE Family Controller
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : FC-34-97-97-50-2D
DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : No
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
Link-local IPv6 Address . . . . . : fe80::a72d:50de:580a:2aef%17(Preferred)
IPv4 Address. . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.50(Preferred)
Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.0
Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.254
DHCPv6 IAID . . . . . . . . . . . : 133969047
DHCPv6 Client DUID. . . . . . . . : 00-01-00-01-2D-EB-E1-6C-FC-34-97-97-50-2D
DNS Servers . . . . . . . . . . . : 212.159.6.9
212.159.6.10
NetBIOS over Tcpip. . . . . . . . : Enabled

Wireless LAN adapter Local Area Connection* 8:

Media State . . . . . . . . . . . : Media disconnected
Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Microsoft Wi-Fi Direct Virtual Adapter
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 68-54-5A-AD-0E-27
DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : Yes
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes

Wireless LAN adapter Local Area Connection* 9:

Media State . . . . . . . . . . . : Media disconnected
Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Microsoft Wi-Fi Direct Virtual Adapter #2
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 6A-54-5A-AD-0E-26
DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : Yes
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes

Wireless LAN adapter Wi-Fi:

Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Intel(R) Wi-Fi 6 AX200 160MHz
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 68-54-5A-AD-0E-26
DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : Yes
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
Link-local IPv6 Address . . . . . : fe80::f30f:5b2c:db6d:7467%5(Preferred)
IPv4 Address. . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.68.57(Preferred)
Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.252.0
Lease Obtained. . . . . . . . . . : 08 May 2025 19:48:45
Lease Expires . . . . . . . . . . : 08 May 2025 21:48:45
Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.68.1
DHCP Server . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.68.1
DHCPv6 IAID . . . . . . . . . . . : 141055066
DHCPv6 Client DUID. . . . . . . . : 00-01-00-01-2D-EB-E1-6C-FC-34-97-97-50-2D
DNS Servers . . . . . . . . . . . : 1.1.1.1
1.0.0.1
NetBIOS over Tcpip. . . . . . . . : Enabled

Ethernet adapter Bluetooth Network Connection:

Media State . . . . . . . . . . . : Media disconnected
Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Bluetooth Device (Personal Area Network)
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 68-54-5A-AD-0E-2A
DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : Yes
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes

The powerline adapter worked previously but I didn't notice the swap to wifi when it dropped, only noticing when I realised a download was very slow.I've swapped powerline plugs and the one from my PC works fine in its new location so that rules the plugs out of the equation, the plug I now use had connectivity but doesn't no it is with my PC, all plugs are on the same ring main. My PC ethernet port is showing activity so I assume it is receiving some data. Sadly the next nearest powerline or the modem/router is is not reachable with the cables I have to hand

Re: Ethernet connection

bobpullen — Thu, 08 May 2025 21:48:34 GMT

Looking at the Ethernet config, I’m assuming you ran that command after making the manual changes rather than before? It’s the before that would have been more telling.

Although I realise from looking at the Wi-Fi config that I’ve probably given you the wrong details anyway. Is the IP of the router you’re using 192.168.68.1? If so, then that should be your gateway address for the Ethernet connection, and the IP should be something in the same subnet (but not used elsewhere) e.g. 192.168.68.50.

In my haste, I gave you the details you would typically use with a Plusnet hub 🙄

Re: Ethernet connection

Dan_the_Van — Fri, 09 May 2025 06:36:29 GMT

@stevejd58

I note both the wired and wireless interfaces are enabled, any reason for this? There are on different networks which is not helpful for routing.

If you are intending to use the ethernet connection then turn OFF wireless.
What exactly is your setup the Deco X20 I find is a router or wireless access point device, a modem would be required for DSL.

Which powerline adapters are you using, are they all paired with each other to form one network?

Re: Ethernet connection

bobpullen — Fri, 09 May 2025 07:30:33 GMT

Further to @Dan_the_Van's questions, perhaps a more succinct one: is there a Plusnet router in use anywhere on your network? If the answer to this question is 'yes', and you haven't made any changes to the Plusnet hub's config, then it looks like you have two DHCP servers on your LAN which is ill-advised.

Re: Ethernet connection

stevejd58 — Fri, 09 May 2025 08:02:31 GMT

Hi Dan

The deco setup is in post 4 of this thread, set up as a DSL Modem Router.
wireless is on as ethernet will not allow access to the internet

Re: Ethernet connection

stevejd58 — Fri, 09 May 2025 08:08:23 GMT

Hi Bob
no there isn't a plusnet hub on my set up.

re the x2 dhcp servers, how do I remove/rest this to a solo server?

updated IP address

Windows IP Configuration

Ethernet adapter Ethernet:

Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Realtek PCIe GbE Family Controller
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : FC-34-97-97-50-2D
DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : No
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
Link-local IPv6 Address . . . . . : fe80::a72d:50de:580a:2aef%16(Preferred)
IPv4 Address. . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.48(Preferred)
Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.0
Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.254
DHCPv6 IAID . . . . . . . . . . . : 133969047
DHCPv6 Client DUID. . . . . . . . : 00-01-00-01-2D-EB-E1-6C-FC-34-97-97-50-2D
DNS Servers . . . . . . . . . . . : 212.159.6.9
212.159.6.10
NetBIOS over Tcpip. . . . . . . . : Enabled

Wireless LAN adapter Local Area Connection* 8:

Wireless LAN adapter Local Area Connection* 9:

Wireless LAN adapter Wi-Fi:

Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Intel(R) Wi-Fi 6 AX200 160MHz
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 68-54-5A-AD-0E-26
DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : Yes
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
Link-local IPv6 Address . . . . . : fe80::f30f:5b2c:db6d:7467%5(Preferred)
IPv4 Address. . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.68.57(Preferred)
Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.252.0
Lease Obtained. . . . . . . . . . : 09 May 2025 08:55:02
Lease Expires . . . . . . . . . . : 09 May 2025 11:06:23
Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.68.1
DHCP Server . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.68.1
DHCPv6 IAID . . . . . . . . . . . : 141055066
DHCPv6 Client DUID. . . . . . . . : 00-01-00-01-2D-EB-E1-6C-FC-34-97-97-50-2D
DNS Servers . . . . . . . . . . . : 1.1.1.1
1.0.0.1
NetBIOS over Tcpip. . . . . . . . : Enabled

Ethernet adapter Bluetooth Network Connection:

Re: Ethernet connection

bobpullen — Fri, 09 May 2025 08:13:20 GMT

If the IP address of the Deco is 192.168.68.1 then this is not going to work. The gateway address needs to be that of the Deco: -

Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.254

I would suggest changing the TCPv4 properties back to obtain automatically and then reboot the PC. When it comes back it would be interesting to see output of the command again.

You could then try manually configuring the properties again if you like but ensuring the gateway IP is 192.168.68.1 (although as mentioned, I'm somewhat doubtful it's going to help).

Re: Ethernet connection

Baldrick1 — Fri, 09 May 2025 13:29:11 GMT

I'm a very simple soul so would go back to first principles. Having set the PC to pick up an IP address automatically and switched off wireless I would get a long Ethernet cable and connect the PC directly to the router, (long Ethernet cables aren't expensive) to make sure it worked.

Having determined that this works I would connect the long lead to one of the working powerline devices. If this worked I would be looking suspiciously at whether the non-working powerline device was connected on a different consumer unit circuit and possibly contaminated with high levels of RFI.

Another test for this would be to swap the location of the PC to use a working powerline. That is, swap device locations, not powerline devices.

Re: Ethernet connection

stevejd58 — Fri, 09 May 2025 19:38:15 GMT

Update
I've managed to borrow a laptop with an ethernet port.
This device connects correctly with speeds of 70 down as expected and 9 up (which is a bit low), so this tells me that my Deco x20 and powerline setup is fine and therefore it's either software/settings in windows or my ethernet connection has developed a fault.
in Device manager it doesn't indicate any errors

Re: Ethernet connection

shutter — Fri, 09 May 2025 20:49:17 GMT

@stevejd58 wrote:

Update
I've managed to borrow a laptop with an ethernet port.

@stevejd58

If your laptop has a faulty, or does not have an ETHERNET PORT.. you can use one of these..

eBay item number:196712729717

I have one for my 11 inch laptop.. and it works just fine....

Re: Ethernet connection

stevejd58 — Fri, 09 May 2025 21:05:25 GMT

Hi Shutter
the laptop is fine, its my desktop that the ethernet is being problematic, a usb C adapter is my last option if I can't resolve the pc's onboard settings. although I question if a USB add on will change things if the onboard is still playing up

Re: Ethernet connection

shutter — Fri, 09 May 2025 21:22:31 GMT

@stevejd58 OK... My little laptop worked fine on windows but would not connect the ethernet on Linux... using the USB to Ethernet adapter solved the problem... so, I think it is a fair possiblity that it would do the same for you on your desktop...