Create a new wired network connection in Windows by opening Settings, navigating to Network & Internet, and selecting the option to set up a new connection. Windows will detect your Ethernet hardware and walk you through the remaining steps — in most cases, you won't need to do anything else because your router will assign an address automatically.

Key Takeaways

  • Windows automatically detects Ethernet hardware when you plug in a cable, so you usually don't need to manually create a connection at all.
  • If Windows doesn't detect your connection, go to Settings > Network & Internet > Advanced Network Settings > Add a New Connection to create one manually.
  • Most home and office networks use DHCP, which means Windows gets an IP address from your router without you entering anything.
  • If your network requires a static IP address, you'll need that address, subnet mask, gateway, and DNS information from your IT department or network administrator before you start.
  • You can verify the connection is working by opening Command Prompt and typing ipconfig to see your assigned IP address.

When Windows detects your connection automatically

Plug an Ethernet cable into your computer's network port and Windows will usually recognize it within a few seconds. Look at the bottom right of your screen in the system tray — you should see a network icon appear. If it shows a globe or a checkmark, your connection is active and working. This happens because Windows has already created the connection profile and your router has sent your computer an IP address through DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol).

You don't need to do anything else in this situation. Open a web browser and test by visiting any website. If the page loads, your connection is complete. This is the normal path for most people — the connection creation happens invisibly in the background.

How to manually create a connection if Windows doesn't detect it

If you've plugged in the cable but Windows still shows no network icon after 30 seconds, you may need to create the connection manually. First, check that the cable is fully inserted into both your computer's network port and your router or wall jack. Look for a small light on the network port itself — it should be lit or blinking.

Open Settings by pressing the Windows key and typing "settings", then select the Settings app. Go to Network & Internet, then scroll down and select Advanced Network Settings. Look for the option that says Add a New Connection or Change Adapter Options. Windows will scan for available network hardware and show you any Ethernet adapters it finds. Select your adapter and follow the prompts to create the connection profile.

Setting up a connection with a static IP address

Most home networks and many offices use DHCP, which means your router automatically assigns an IP address and you don't enter anything manually. However, some corporate networks, servers, or specialized equipment require a static IP address — one that doesn't change and that you set yourself.

Before you start, get this information from your IT department or network administrator: your static IP address, subnet mask, default gateway, and DNS server addresses. Open Settings > Network & Internet > Advanced Network Settings. Find your Ethernet connection, select it, then choose Edit. Under IP Assignment, change the setting from Automatic (DHCP) to Manual. Enter each piece of information in the correct field, then save. Windows will apply the settings immediately.

If you enter the wrong information, your connection will fail. Double-check every number before saving, and contact your network administrator if you're unsure about any value.

Troubleshooting when the connection won't work

If you've created the connection but still can't reach the internet, start by checking the physical cable. Unplug it from both ends, wait five seconds, and plug it back in firmly. Look for lights on your router — they should show activity when the cable is connected.

Open Command Prompt by pressing Windows key + R, typing cmd, and pressing Enter. Type ipconfig and press Enter. Look for your Ethernet adapter in the list. If it shows an IP address that starts with 169.254, Windows couldn't reach your router's DHCP server — unplug the cable for 30 seconds, plug it back in, and wait another 30 seconds for the router to respond. If it still shows 169.254, your router may not be powered on or the cable may be damaged.

If ipconfig shows a normal IP address (like 192.168.1.x or 10.0.0.x) but you still can't browse the web, the problem is likely with your router or internet service rather than the connection itself. Restart your router by unplugging it for 30 seconds, then plugging it back in and waiting two minutes for it to fully boot.

Switching between multiple network connections

If your computer has both Ethernet and Wi-Fi, Windows will use whichever connection is active. If both are plugged in or connected at the same time, Windows prioritizes Ethernet because it's typically faster and more stable. You can see which connection is active by looking at the network icon in the system tray.

To manually choose which connection to use, go to Settings > Network & Internet > Advanced Network Settings. You'll see all your active connections listed. You can disable Wi-Fi temporarily by clicking it and selecting Disconnect, or disable Ethernet the same way. This is useful if you're troubleshooting and need to test one connection at a time.

Removing or resetting a network connection

If a connection is causing problems, you can delete it and let Windows create a fresh one. Go to Settings > Network & Internet > Advanced Network Settings > View Your Network Settings. Find the connection you want to remove, select it, and look for a Delete or Remove option. Confirm the deletion, then unplug your Ethernet cable and plug it back in. Windows will detect the hardware again and create a new connection profile from scratch.

If you've made manual changes to a connection and want to start over, this is the fastest way to reset it. The new connection will use DHCP by default, so your router will assign an address automatically.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to install drivers for an Ethernet connection?

Windows includes drivers for most Ethernet hardware, so you usually don't need to install anything. If Windows doesn't detect your adapter after plugging in the cable, check your computer's manufacturer website or the network adapter's documentation to see if a driver download is needed. This is rare on newer computers but more common on older machines or specialized equipment.

What's the difference between DHCP and a static IP address?

DHCP means your router automatically assigns an IP address that may change over time — this is the default for home networks. A static IP address is one you set manually and that stays the same. Most people use DHCP. Static addresses are used for servers, printers, or devices that other machines need to find at a consistent address.

Can I have both Ethernet and Wi-Fi connected at the same time?

Yes, but Windows will use only one at a time. It prioritizes Ethernet because it's faster. If you want to use Wi-Fi instead, disconnect the Ethernet cable or disable it in Settings. Having both connected won't hurt anything, but only one will carry your internet traffic.

Why does my connection show as "No Internet" even though it's connected?

This usually means your computer can reach your router but your router can't reach the internet. Restart your router by unplugging it for 30 seconds. If the problem persists, contact your internet service provider — the issue is likely on their end, not with your computer's connection.

How do I know if my connection is working properly?

Open a web browser and visit any website. If the page loads, your connection is working. You can also open Command Prompt, type ping 8.8.8.8, and press Enter. If you see responses with times listed, your connection is active and stable.