Dell PC does not detect Ethernet cable

Question

Hello Experts,

I have a dell AIO PC which I have been using for a few years now. So far, I have been using the wi-fi for internet requirements.

Now that I tried plugging in an ethernet cable, it doesn't seem to detect it. The Realtek controller says "Network cable unplugged"

The controller is visible in the device manager and the windows diagnostics says it is working properly. The same cable, when inserted in a different computer, seems to work well. I have also tried uninstalling and rebooting the system but no luck.

An interesting observation that I had. When I rebooted the computer while the ethernet cable was inserted, I could see both green and amber lights glow momentarily, which (probably) tells me that the ethernet port should also be installed and detected properly.

Any ideas on what I can do to make ethernet cable work and access the wired connection?

regards,

Priyank

fireberd · Answer

PC Model number and OS. Always include the model number on any initial problem post.

Mary G · Answer

Make sure the ethernet cable is plugged into one of your wireless router's ports as well as the computer.

RoHe · Answer

@priyankjain15  What does 'uninstalling and rebooting the system' mean? Did you reboot the router with PC connected via Ethernet? If the NIC LEDS blink and go off that suggests the NIC isn't seeing a signal from the router. Does the router have software settings to enable/disable its Ethernet port(s)?  Have you tried a different Ethernet cable or turned this one end-for-end? Did you use the Windows network setup on PC to configure it for Ethernet?

priyankjain15 · Answer

Hello Mary G,

Yes, of course. When I take the cable out of my desktop and connect it to the ethernet port on my laptop, it works absolutely fine and I am able to use the wired internet. The other end is of-course connected to the router all the time.

priyankjain15 · Answer

Model Number: Dell Inspiron 20 - 3048 series OS - windows 10

priyankjain15 · Answer

Hello RoHe,

Thank you for your response.

Uninstalling and Rebooting the system means I uninstalled the ethernet adapter in the device manager and then rebooted the computer, as I read in some posts that this approach worked in similar cases. Unfortunately, it didn't work for me.

I tried using the same cable and connected it to my laptop which was kept next to the PC. The ethernet connection worked without any problems, which tells me that the cable is just fine.

I didn't do anything specific for the windows network setup. Can you guide me how to do it?

fireberd · Answer

Download and Reinstall the Realtek Ethernet driver from the Dell downloads. Support for Inspiron 3048 | Drivers & Downloads | Dell US

XPS_Man · Answer

Same cable works fine with other machine

and I believe you have already tried a different cable.

You are clearly dealing with a bad port.

You can Reboot to F12 > Supportassist OS Recovery > Check if your Ethernet is detected there. In top right side it will show you your connection status. If it works there than we can go ahead do OS /Driver troubleshooting If it doesn't work in Supportassist OS recovery environment,

1. If machine is in Warranty contact Dell for Motherboard replacement

2 If out of warranty get a USB 3 to ethernet adapter

Inspiron Desktops

Dell PC does not detect Ethernet cable

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