I can't connect with Ethernet cable but I can connect with my wireless. What to do?

[Kenny]

I have a Dell XPS 8300 running windows 7. I haven't been able to connect my computer to hard wire and been running it off of wireless internet that has built in wireless card. I even tried to connect hardwire from the modem to the computer and still doesn't work. What should I do?
I went to settings and I didn't even see Ethernet cable to enable or to disable under Network manager

[brayden]

you have to change the setting

[046]

Is your Ethernet card active (turned on)? Sometimes people turn them off so they don't get the "cable disconnected" warning in the tray.
~

[gregory]

You need to disable the wireless network first, then enable the other network

[GTB]

It is hard to say from here.

I will assume the CAT5 or CAT6 cable is in good shape (they can develop problems especially if one of the connectors is subjected to physical stress) but this can be faulty.

I have seen times when a network adapter becomes confused and connectivity drops. I usually do this:

1. Open command prompt (click on start, type cmd in the search bar and hit enter; it brings up command prompt. Stretch out command prompt to cover the entire top to bottom distance of your screen (you cannot make it wider). At the > prompt in command prompt, type in ipconfig and hit enter. You will see a lot of information. Look for the Wireless connector and you should find its ip address, subnet mask, and default gateway. Next look for the Ethernet network adapter (not Bluetooth which may also be shown) and see if it has an IP address, subnet mask, and default gateway (subnet mask and default gateway should be the same as seen for the wireless; the first 3 sets of numbers in the ip address should be the same as the default gateway.). I suspect you will see no IP address or if you see one it is not in the same subnet as the wireless address.

2. Open control panel (start, click control panel on the pop up that arises when you click on start). Change the display of control panel to small icons if you are not seeing small icons. Click on Device Manager.

[Dell Inc.]

Hi Kenny,

I am Kaveri from the Dell Social Media Outreach team.

You can update the latest Ethernet driver from Dell support website to resolve this issue. Please find the link below for the same.

Link:- http://dell.to/1hadXqu

1) Enter the Service Tag and press submit button. ( You can find the service tag at the bottom of the laptop on white sticker, it’s a seven digit alphanumeric code which ends with BS or number 1.)
2) Click on Drivers and Downloads.
3) Choose the Operating system.
4) Click on Ethernet driver option and download it.

In case of any further assistance Please feel free to contact me directly by sending a reply to this blog.
We would recommend you do not post your private information on a public forum.

Thanks & Regards
KaveriD
#iworkfordell
(You can now follow us on you tube for online video support http://dell.to/1gBVXAM)