However, there may be some other factors involved that can prevent the adapter from functioning properly. To help you figure out what exactly is causing the issues with your Intel i211 Gigabit Network Connection, this guide will walk you through all the possible causes of this problem and their respective solutions.
What Causes the Intel i211 Gigabit Network Connection to Stop Working?
After reviewing the cases of different users that are experiencing this issue, it seems like the main culprit of this problem is incompatible drivers. But there may be some other factors that can be the real reason behind this issue. The list below contains all of its possible causes:
Faulty Ethernet Cable: The Ethernet Cable may not be properly plugged into the i211 Adapter and/or the router. This loose connection can lead to all sorts of connection problems. Furthermore, the Ethernet Cable may even be damaged or faulty, which could be causing network problems. Driver Incompatibility Issue: This issue arises for most people after updating their Windows or updating their i211 Adapter drivers to the latest version, indicating that there’s a compatibility issue between the adapter drivers and the software of the system.Invalid IP Configuration and/or Corrupt Winsock Catalog/DNS Cache: Your system’s IP address may be incorrect, or your Winsock Catalog, or DNS Cache may have become corrupted. The DNS Cache stores the translated IP addresses of websites for quicker connection time. The Winsock Catalog is a collection of network settings that act as an interface (a bridge) between applications and internet protocols, enabling the applications to connect to online servers. Sometimes, the Winsock Catalog and/or DNS Cache become corrupted, resulting in connection problems.Incorrect BIOS Settings: Your Ethernet Connection may be disabled in your system’s BIOS/UEFI Settings, which would explain why the Network Adapter is not working properly.
How Can I Fix the Intel i211 Gigabit Network Connection Not Working Issue?
Keeping the main causes of this issue in mind, the solutions become very simple. Since the main cause of the error is a driver issue, we can solve it by updating or downgrading the drivers. But if that doesn’t resolve the problem, there are many other solutions for us to try. Below, we’ve given a list that contains all the best solutions for this error and how each solution helps to resolve the issue.
1. Plug In Your Ethernet Cable Properly
On the backside of your system, look for the Ethernet Cable (shown in the image below). If the cable is plugged in properly, you will see a Green/Yellow/Orange light blinking on the Ethernet Port. If you do not see any light on the Ethernet Port, follow the steps below: If you still do not see a blinking light on the port even after following these steps, try plugging the cable into a different port on your router. If that doesn’t work, it likely means that your cable is faulty/damaged, and you will need to invest in a new one. Luckily, you can get good ethernet cables for very cheap.
2. Run Windows Network Diagnostics
3. Check the Status of the Adapter on Device Manager
4. Update Drivers (If Using Windows 11)
5. Reset Network Settings
6. Check BIOS Settings
Note: If you do not see a UEFI Firmware Settings option in the Advanced Startup menu, you will have to access the BIOS in an alternative way. But before you do that, there are two important things you need to note:
There is no universal key on the keyboard that is used to enter the BIOS on all types of systems. Laptops/PCs from different manufacturers have different keys for entering the BIOS (F2, F10, F12, ESC, DEL, etc). To check what key you need to press on your system, Please refer to our detailed guide on this topic.The BIOS of different laptops/PCs have different layouts and even different names for settings. Therefore, we cannot tell you where exactly you will find this setting and what it will be named. Search online to find out where the setting is located in your BIOS.
Keeping the aforementioned notes in mind, follow the steps below to access your system’s BIOS:
7. Roll Back Drivers
Note: If the Roll Back Driver option is greyed out, it means that your system deleted the older driver file. In this case, you’ll need to downgrade the drivers manually. For that, simply download the older drivers from the internet, uninstall the current drivers through the same menu in Device Manager, and then install the driver file you’ve downloaded.
Still Not Solved?
Have you tried all of the solutions listed above and your issue still hasn’t been resolved? In that case, you should look into contacting the Intel Customer Support Team. Visit their official website, select “Support for Intel Products” and click on “Ethernet Products”. If you live in a region where Intel offers support, you can either do a Live Chat with Intel’s Virtual Assistant, submit a service request, or call them and talk to an agent over the phone. If Intel is unable to offer you support for any reason, try contacting the retailer or distributor from whom you purchased this Ethernet Controller for help.
