Wi-Fi Doesn’t Have a Valid IP Configuration on Windows 10: How to Fix It

If Windows 10 says “Wi-Fi doesn’t have a valid IP configuration,” your PC usually connected to the wireless network but failed to get usable TCP/IP settings from the router. Start with a restart, then check DHCP and renew the network configuration before trying a full network reset.

One useful clue is an IPv4 address beginning with 169.254. Microsoft says an address in the 169.254.x.x range can indicate that Windows could not obtain an IP address from the router. If other phones or computers also cannot get online, troubleshoot the router or ISP first. If only this PC is affected, work through the fixes below.

1. Restart the PC and router, then reconnect to Wi-Fi

Restart Windows first. Then restart the modem and router using the manufacturer’s normal power procedure. Microsoft’s guidance recommends disconnecting power, waiting about 30 seconds, restoring the modem first, and then powering the router back on. Everyone using that network will temporarily lose connectivity.

When the router is ready, reconnect the PC. If the router exposes separate 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz network names, try the other band as a quick test. Microsoft lists both router restart and switching bands among its official Wi-Fi troubleshooting steps.

2. Run the Windows 10 Network troubleshooter

1. Open Start > Settings > Network & Internet.
2. Select Status.
3. Choose Network troubleshooter and follow the prompts.

This is worth trying before manual changes because it checks common adapter and configuration problems without requiring you to guess network values.

3. Make sure IP assignment is set to Automatic (DHCP)

For most home and office Wi-Fi networks, Windows should receive its IP address, gateway, and DNS information automatically. Microsoft recommends DHCP unless your network administrator has supplied a specific static configuration.

1. Go to Settings > Network & Internet > Wi-Fi > Manage known networks.
2. Select your Wi-Fi network, open its properties, and find IP assignment.
3. Choose Edit > Automatic (DHCP), then save and reconnect.

You can verify the current configuration by opening Command Prompt and running ipconfig /all. Microsoft documents DHCP and manual addressing in Essential Network Settings and Tasks in Windows.

4. Reset TCP/IP and renew the DHCP lease

Open Command Prompt as administrator, then run these commands in order:

netsh winsock reset
netsh int ip reset
ipconfig /release
ipconfig /renew
ipconfig /flushdns

Restart the PC afterward. The release and renew commands discard the current DHCP configuration and request a new lease; Microsoft’s ipconfig documentation describes those functions in detail.

5. Reinstall the Wi-Fi adapter driver

If the problem began after an update or driver change, reinstalling the adapter can help. Before removing it, download the latest Wi-Fi driver from your PC manufacturer if possible, especially if you do not have another way to get online.

1. Open Device Manager.
2. Expand Network adapters.
3. Right-click the Wi-Fi adapter and choose Uninstall device.
4. Restart Windows. Windows will normally detect and reinstall the adapter.

6. Use Network reset only as a last resort

If the earlier fixes do not work, go to Settings > Network & Internet > Status > Network reset, select Reset now, and confirm. Windows removes and reinstalls network adapters and returns networking components to their default settings.

Microsoft recommends Network reset as a last step because you may need to reconfigure VPN software or virtual switches afterward, and known networks may return with a public network profile.

Avoid guessing a static IP address

Do not copy an existing address and randomly change its last number. That can create an address conflict or use the wrong gateway or subnet. Only enter a manual IP configuration when your router documentation, ISP, or network administrator provides the correct values.

Windows 10 itself reached end of support on October 14, 2025. The operating system still runs, but Microsoft recommends moving to a supported version of Windows or using an applicable support option; see Microsoft’s Windows 10 end-of-support guidance.