How to fix Network Cable Unplugged error in Windows

Activating and deactivating the network adapter can address the Network Cable Unplugged error, in the event if the network adapter froze and won't let you connect to the Internet. This course of action will basically shut down the network adapter, and all the processes related to it, and turn it back on.

To disable, and then enable the network adapter, follow the steps below:

1. Open the start menu, search for Control Panel, and click on it once it appears in the search results;
2. Click on Network and Sharing Center;
3. Click on Change adapter settings;
   
   

   

4. Right-click the Ethernet connection (sometimes it might have a different name, e.g. Local Area Connection) and select Disable.
   

   

To enable the connection, after a minute or two, repeat all the steps above, but this time you will click on Enable.

Maybe the reason behind the Local Area Connection Network Cable Unplugged  error is an unplugged Ethernet cable, or perhaps the Ethernet cable is plugged in loosely. The cable consists of several small wires, and in order for connection to be established, the wires need to touch the gold plates of the Ethernet connectors of your computer on one side, and your router, on the other.

To fix this error and regain Internet access, unplug the Ethernet cable from both your computer and modem/router (if you use a router/modem), and plug it back in after a minute or two.

Maybe the reason why you get an error that your Ethernet cable is not plugged in is because your router (or modem, if you use one) is turned off. If the router (or modem) is turned off, the computer wouldn't receive a signal that there is an Ethernet cable connected to it, therefore this message will appear. Check the router if its lights are blinking. If you use a modem, check its lights too.

If there aren't lights glowing on your router, or modem, then all you need to do is to plug the router/modem back in a power strip, or press the power on/off button, and your Internet connection will be restored, and the error fixed.

If the Ethernet cable's connectors, or the Ethernet port of your router or modem, are dirty, a connection between them cannot be established, resulting in your computer considering the Ethernet network cable unplugged.

Disconnect the Ethernet cable from your computer and router/modem and check all the Ethernet ports. If at least one of them is dirty, clean them gently, and carefully using rubbing alcohol and cotton bud. After a couple of minutes, once they are dry, reconnect the Ethernet cable and the link should be established between your computer, and the router/modem.

Maybe the port in the router or modem, where the Ethernet cable is connected is broken. On every router/modem, there is a light glowing when an active connection is detected, over the Ethernet port. If there isn't light glowing while your computer is turned on, then it's possible that the port isn't working.

Unplug the Ethernet cable from the router's/modem's Ethernet port where it's currently connected and plug it back in. This should fix the Network Cable Unplugged error, provided that the light over that port starts glowing.

The Ethernet cable consists of several little relays (wires). If at least one of them is cut, or damaged, the cable won't relay the Internet connection from the router/modem to the computer properly, or not at all.

Ethernet cables are tested with testers or multimeters, however, if you don't have any of those, but you have another Ethernet cable, you can use it for testing. Plug another Ethernet cable in, and check if the error still appears. If it doesn't, and you can successfully connect to the Internet, then your Ethernet cable is damaged, and you will need to replace it with a new one.

If your computer says that the network cable is unpluged,  but in fact it is plugged in, there may be a temporary software glitch. This glitch can be resolved if you restart your computer. Restarting your computer will restart all the programs that were running on it in the background, and which may have led to this error.

Turn off your computer using the power (on/off) button, and wait for a few minutes before you turn it back on. You may also unplug the computer from the power strip, or, if you use a laptop, remove its battery.

Outdated network driver can also be the cause of the Network Cable Unplugged error message, as it may be incompatible with changes introduced with the operating system update (if you have updated Windows recently). Updating your computer's drivers on time is a must, to prevent issues outdated drivers can cause.

You can update drivers in one of the following ways:

1. Through Windows Device Manager, by right-clicking a driver, and selecting on Update Driver Software... 
   
   

   

2. By going to your computer manufacturer's website and downloading and installing the latest version from there (you will need to enter your computer's model number there - click here if you aren't sure how to find it);
3. By installing a third-party software which will maintain your drivers automatically.
   
   

Note: For more information on installing and updating drivers, feel free to check the how to download drivers and how to update drivers guides.

The purpose of the network driver is to bridge the operating system, and the network hardware component. If the network driver is damaged, or at least one of its files, errors can occur. Maybe the network driver is the reason for the Network Cable Unplugged error to occur. In this case, what you need to do is to uninstall it via the control panel and reinstall it.

To uninstall the driver, there are more ways:

Through the Device Manager

1. Right-click This PC/My computer and select Properties;
2. Click on Device Manager in the left pane;
3. Click on the Network adapters;
4. Right click on the network driver and select Uninstall.
   
   

   

Through the Control Panel

1. Go to the start menu and find the Control Panel;
2. Click on Programs and Features;
3. Find the network driver in the list (usually Realtek, Qualcomm, or another one, depending on the manufacturer);
4. Click on the Uninstall button.
   

   

When it comes to installing the latest version of the driver, the don't know how to download and install drivers guide is of great help, if you are not sure how to download the latest version of the driver.

If a virus has found its way to your computer, it can cause a significant damage, even to the extent of damaging computer drivers, or stopping them from working properly. Scan your computer for viruses, using an antivirus software and remove them if you have found one.

Even after removing the viruses, it doesn't mean you are absolutely safe. Make sure to take additional measures to protect your computer, some of which are listed below:

• Update the antivirus software;
• Don't open emails (especially junk emails);
• Don't install every program you find, and don't download it from other websites than the program developer's one;
• Update the operating system;
• Don't visit every website.
  
  

Note: The virus removal and protection guide shares useful tips on how to remove viruses and protect your computer against them.

Maybe the Ethernet port of your computer has been disabled by the antivirus settings, which believe that it might pose a threat. As a test, try disabling the antivirus shield temporarily, and check if you still get the error message.

If you don't get this error and your Internet access has been restored, open the antivirus settings and reconfigure them. If you aren't sure how, check the antivirus help guides.

If none of the other solutions worked, and if you have verified that the router's and/or modem's Ethernet ports work fine, it is very likely that the computer's Ethernet port has been damaged and needs to be repaired. Also, it's possible that it isn't the Ethernet cable, but the network module is the one that is damaged, in which case the repair shop is the best option.

To have the network module repaired, and this error resolved, take your computer to a repair shop.

If you have verified that your computer's Ethernet port works as expected, then the router's or modem's ports are damaged. In this case, you need to replace the router, or modem, with a new one. You may also want to replace the power strip the router is plugged in, as the modem/router Ethernet ports are hard to break, and they break if stress was sustained.