local area connection doesn't have a valid ip configuration

SkScotchegg · 5 Oct 2016 at 15:07

Hi there, please can you help, my internet suddenly stopped working last night at around 1am and hasn't worked since.

I've tried unplugging PC from wall and waiting 20 minutes and I've restarted the modem 3 times but still no luck.

I'm on windows 10 fully updated with anniversary edition and I do use tplink as my modem is 20 feet away so I use those tplink sockets, not sure what they're called? They've always worked great.

I'm currently at work and I've been searching google and seeing what other people have tried. I'm going to try plug the PC directly into the BT home hub modem tonight and see if that works and also reset the modem but other then trying those two fixes do you guys know anything else I could try?

EDIT: I've also been told to go into network settings and delete the network adapter and also I found this "Right click on "Network" then click properties, click change adapter settings, right click on your Local Area connection. Uncheck "Internet Protocol Version 6 TCP/IPv6"hit Okay. Then go to IPv4 hit properties, make sure Obtain IP address automatically is selected and obtain DNS automatically." So I've got at least 4 fixes to attempt when I get home from work tonight.

Thanks in advance.

SkScotchegg · 5 Oct 2016 at 16:42

Beerbaron said:
Does your PC have an IP address?
Do you have a fixed IP set or is it DHCP?
Do other devices on your network have IP addresses?

Thanks for your reply mate, I'm not sure if I have a fixed IP or not, I'll try work that out when I get home from work. As for other devices, we don't have any other PC's or laptops but the strange thing is, our mobile phones and tablets all connect to wireless just fine, it's just the PC which isn't connecting to internet and giving that error message under local area network? The PC is connected through wall using TPlink which goes to the other TPlink 20 feet away which connects to BT Home Hub modem.

bremen1874 said:
Did you set your own encryption keys on the Powerline adapters? You may have cross connected with a neighbour's network.

Powerline adapters are really common nowadays and most people seem to leave them running with default keys (ignorance or laziness).

Cheers for your response mate, when I bought these TPlink adapters I literally just plugged them in and they worked straight away, I didn't see any instructions to do anything else and they've been working fine for the past year since I got my first home. I didn't know you could encrypt them or set them up to be unique so they dont get interference for neighbors? Is there some software from TPlink to do this or do you access them like you do your router through a website with an IP and username/password?

Thanks in advance.

SkScotchegg · 5 Oct 2016 at 17:56

bremen1874 said:
The adapters have buttons on them. Instructions for use will be in the quick start guide.

There may also be a software utility you can download. It depends on the model of adapter.

All adapters ship with the same default keys and work out the box. That's fine until a neighbour also plugs in a set and leaves the default keys in place. If you're unlucky the two sets of adapters can start talking to each other.

Damn those pesky neighbors!! lol. So you really think this could be the issue? I've still got the box for the TPlink plugs at home and probably have the instructions too so I'll find out the exact model when I get home and see if I can find how how to access them and lock them to my network.

Do you reckon it will be hard or just the same as accessing your router?

SkScotchegg · 5 Oct 2016 at 18:18

bremen1874 said:
It's possible. If the networks do join you've got two DHCP servers operating. If they're on the same subnet you can get duplicate IPs. If they're on different subnets you can get a whole different set of weird symptoms.

Setting the keys is a two minute job. You just have to press the buttons on the adapters in the right order. You don't even need to install any software or even use a computer at all. My 70 years old mother would have no problem with it.

Oh right, so I don't need to do this then?

http://www.tp-link.us/faq-259.html

SkScotchegg · 5 Oct 2016 at 18:28

bremen1874 said:
No, but you can if you want.

You just need to do this

http://www.tp-link.us/faq-258.html

Ok Cheers mate, I'll try this soon as I get home from work. I'll reply back with update later tonight.

SkScotchegg · 5 Oct 2016 at 19:33

bremen1874 said:
Even if it doesn't help it's a good idea to have them encrypted.

Yeah definitely, I don't know why I didn't do it in the first place, I reckon I probably just saw that it was working and then just rushed to get it all on and setup. I was quite excited that day because it was installed on the same day I moved into my first home with my wife after getting married so I was probably too excited that day to stop and read instructions! lol

SkScotchegg · 5 Oct 2016 at 23:55

Hey, I'm home and I finally got it working!! Sweet Jesus that was stressful for a while!! lol

I tried loads of things, resetting modem, resetting network in windows 10 which uninstalled network adapter and reinstalled it all etc but in the end it was the TPlink home plugs that had messed in.

I repaired the home plugs and now it works again!! Thank god!!

Thanks for all your help!

SkScotchegg · 7 Oct 2016 at 14:08

bremen1874 said:
All Powerline adapters should come with stickers attached telling people to set the encryption before use. It'd probably be better if they didn't work at all until paired.

The quick start guides aren't much help either. They'll mention that setting your own encryption is possible, but not that it'd be a good idea to do it.

Yeah that's a good point. Would make sense so that people set them up right the first time. Including me! lol