Technician helping fix an Acer computer that needs frequent restart

Steve H.

Reviewed for technical accuracy

Specialities: HP desktop/laptop Ethernet not working, “Network cable unplugged” messages, no link lights on LAN port, Windows 10/11 wired connection shows “No Internet”

Why HP wired internet can stop working suddenly — common causes and safe checks before changing settings

Technician avatar Technician
Hi! Let’s do the safest checks first, without guessing or changing anything that could make it worse.

With wired Ethernet, two clues tell us a lot: the link lights on the HP’s network port and what Windows says (connected, unplugged, or “No Internet”).

Trust moment: I don’t want you installing random “driver fix” tools or resetting a bunch of settings in a panic. We’ll start with simple observations.

Quick check: on your HP, when the cable is plugged in, do you see any tiny lights near the Ethernet port (steady or blinking)?
Customer
I’m older and not confident with this. The cable is plugged in but there are no lights on the back. Windows says “No Internet.”
Technician avatar Technician
You’re doing fine — and “no lights” is a strong clue we can work with.

Before we touch Windows, let’s rule out the simplest “false alarm” causes (safe, physical checks):
• Is the other end of the cable going into your router/modem, and does that router port show a light?
• If your router has several LAN ports, have you tried a different port?
• Do you have a second Ethernet cable you can swap in for 30 seconds, just to test?
Customer
The router lights are on for Wi-Fi but I don’t see a light for that cable. I tried another port and it still didn’t light up. I don’t have another cable.
Technician avatar Technician
That helps. If the router doesn’t show a light for that port either, it often points to the cable or the connection not “clicking in.”

Gentle check (no force): when you plug the cable into the HP, do you hear/feel a small click? And is the plug seated fully, not loose?

Also: did this start after anything changed — a move, vacuuming, a power outage, or a Windows update?
Customer
I think it clicks in. It started today after Windows updated last night. Wi-Fi works on my phone though.
Technician avatar Technician
Good — that tells us the internet itself is likely fine, and the problem is local to the HP’s wired connection.

This is common after updates, but we should rule out risks first. Trust moment: I don’t want you disabling lots of services or changing advanced adapter options yet.

Two quick Windows checks that don’t break anything:
• In the taskbar, does the network icon look like a small monitor/cable, or is there a globe/“no access” symbol?
• If you open Settings → Network & Internet, does it show Ethernet as “Connected,” “Disconnected,” or “Identifying”?
Customer
It shows a globe and says “No Internet.” In Settings it says Ethernet but it looks like it’s trying to identify.
Technician avatar Technician
“Identifying” usually means Windows sees something, but it isn’t getting the right network details (often an IP address).

If you’re comfortable, there’s a safe “read-only” clue we can check: in Windows, open Command Prompt and type ipconfig. You don’t need to change anything — just look at the Ethernet section.

Do you see an IPv4 address that starts with 169.254 (self-assigned), or do you see “Media disconnected”?
Customer
I see 169.254.something for IPv4 on Ethernet. That looks bad.
Technician avatar Technician
It looks alarming, but it’s actually a helpful clue. A 169.254 address often means the PC didn’t get an address from the router (DHCP), so Windows “fills in” a temporary one.

Next safe question: do the Ethernet port lights ever flicker at all during boot, or are they always dark? And on the router side, do you see any activity light for that port at any time?

If the lights are always dark on both ends, a cable or port issue rises to the top. If lights show but you still get 169.254, it’s more like a network handshake/IP problem.
Customer
I watched it. No lights on the HP port at all, and the router port stays dark too.
Technician avatar Technician
That strongly suggests there isn’t a physical link being established. The most common “real world” causes are: a bad cable, a bent/broken clip on the cable plug, dust/debris in the port, or a disabled/faulty network adapter.

Trust moment: I don’t want you poking inside the port with metal or anything sharp. But you can safely look with a flashlight and see if anything is obviously blocking the port.

Another safe check: in Device Manager, under “Network adapters,” do you see an Ethernet adapter listed, and does it show any warning symbol?
Customer
I see “Realtek PCIe GbE Family Controller.” No warning symbol. It says it’s working properly.
Technician avatar Technician
That’s useful. “Working properly” means Windows recognizes the adapter, but it doesn’t guarantee the physical link is active.

One more safe thing to observe: in the adapter’s Properties (still in Device Manager), is there any line that says “This device is disabled,” or is it clearly enabled?

And did you ever use this Ethernet port successfully before, or is this the first time you tried a wired connection on this HP?
Customer
It used to work. I’ve always used the cable. After the update it stopped. It’s enabled.
Technician avatar Technician
Since it worked before and stopped after an update, we should consider two tracks — but keep it safe:
• The update changed the driver/power behavior (Windows can do that).
• Or the cable/port happened to fail around the same time (it happens).

A low-risk separator test is: does the same cable work in another device (another PC, a laptop, or even a smart TV with Ethernet)? If it doesn’t, the cable becomes the likely culprit.

If you don’t have another device to test, it’s still useful to note the symptoms. Related guides that sometimes overlap with “after update” issues: computer freezes after update and error repeats after restart.
Customer
I don’t have another computer. Is there a safe check I can do in Windows without breaking anything?
Technician avatar Technician
Yes — and we’ll keep it gentle.

Safe checks that don’t “mess up” the PC:
• Run Windows’ built-in Network troubleshooter (it reports what it finds).
• In Settings, confirm Ethernet shows as present (not missing) and that Airplane mode is off.
• Note the exact message (Connected / No Internet / Unidentified network) and what ipconfig shows (like 169.254).

Trust moment: avoid “Network reset” or deep adapter tweaks unless you’re comfortable, because they can change multiple settings at once. If you write down what Windows reports, we can choose the least risky next step.
Customer
Okay. If I write down the lights, the messages, and the IP address, that’s enough to figure out what’s going on?
Technician avatar Technician
Exactly. Those notes usually narrow it down quickly:

• No link lights on both ends → likely cable/port/link problem.
• Link lights present but “No Internet” + 169.254 → likely IP/DHCP handshake issue.
• Adapter missing/disabled in Windows → local adapter/settings issue.

If you want one more safe observation: check whether the Ethernet status changes when you gently re-seat the cable (unplug/replug once), without forcing anything. That alone can reveal a loose connection.

Quick answer: what to check first when HP Ethernet shows “No Internet”

Accepted first checks for an HP computer with a wired connection problem:
• Look for link/activity lights on the HP Ethernet port and on the router port — this separates a “no link” issue from a Windows/IP issue.
• Confirm the cable is fully seated and “clicks” in; if possible, test the cable on another device or try a different router LAN port.
• In Windows, note the exact status (Disconnected / Unidentified network / No Internet) and whether ipconfig shows a 169.254 address or “Media disconnected.”
• Check Device Manager to confirm the Ethernet adapter exists and is enabled (no warning icon).
• Use Windows’ built-in network troubleshooter for a safe report before any deeper resets or advanced changes.

Why a wired Ethernet cable can be “connected” but still not work

This problem often comes down to one of three buckets: the physical link (cable/port), the network “handshake” (getting an IP address), or Windows/driver behavior after an update. A dead or flaky cable can cause no link lights at all. If link lights are present but browsing fails, Windows may be stuck with an “Unidentified network” or a self-assigned 169.254 address. Starting with lights and basic Windows status avoids risky changes and keeps troubleshooting calm.

What to do next: safe checks before driver reinstalls or network resets

Before you reinstall anything, confirm whether the router port lights respond when the cable is plugged in, and whether another device can use the same cable. Inside Windows, note the Ethernet status and the IP details from ipconfig. These clues help you avoid unnecessary steps like full network resets that change many settings at once. If the issue began after a Windows update, it’s especially important to gather these basics first and then choose the least disruptive next move.

HP wired internet not working — calm, senior-friendly guidance

Start safe: check the link lights and Windows status, then decide the next step.

If your HP computer’s Ethernet suddenly stopped working, it can feel like the whole internet is down. The safest path is to separate “no physical link” (no lights on both ends) from “connected but no access” (lights on, but Windows shows No Internet). Write down what you see: the lights, the Windows status message, and the IPv4 address from ipconfig. Those simple notes usually point to the correct direction without guessing or making big changes.

Disclaimer: This information is AI-generated and intended for general guidance only. Avoid unknown “fix” utilities and do not change BIOS/UEFI settings unless you understand them. If you smell burning, see sparks, or the PC repeatedly powers off/on, stop and consult a qualified technician.

What to check next

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FAQ

Why did my HP Ethernet stop working all of a sudden?

It often follows a Windows update, a power interruption, or a cable/port that finally became loose or worn. The quickest clue is whether link lights appear on both the HP and the router. No lights usually points to a physical link problem. Lights present but “No Internet” often points to IP/DHCP or Windows settings.

Did this happen after a Windows update on HP?

It can. Updates sometimes change network drivers or power-saving behavior. Before changing anything, note the Windows Ethernet status and what ipconfig shows for IPv4. Those details help confirm whether it’s a driver/settings direction or a separate cable/port issue.

Is “169.254” on Ethernet a hardware failure?

Not necessarily. A 169.254 address usually means the PC didn’t get an address from the router (DHCP). If link lights are present, it’s often a network handshake issue rather than a dead port. If there are no link lights on both ends, a cable/port problem becomes more likely.

Can I check an HP wired connection safely at home?

Yes. You can check the link lights, try a different router LAN port, and confirm the adapter is present and enabled in Device Manager. You can also run the built-in Windows network troubleshooter for a safe report. Avoid deep resets or advanced adapter tweaks until you’ve written down the basic symptoms.

Sources

Filed under: Internet & Wi-Fi Connectivity

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