In Windows, the following error sometimes appears: "To configure TCP / IP, you must install and configure a network adapter." You can see it when you try to open the properties of Internet Protocol version 4 or version 6 (TCP / IPv4 and TCP / IPv6) in the properties of the adapter through which you are connecting to the Internet. I learned about this error from the comments to one of the articles on this site. As far as I understand, when connecting to a Wi-Fi network in Windows 8, the status is "limited". And when you try to open the settings of the network adapter (to, for example, change the IP address, DNS, or other parameters), a Microsoft TCP / IP window appears with an error message.
This is how the error itself related to TCP / IP settings in Windows 7, Windows 8 and Windows 10 looks like:
In our case, the problem arose with the "Wireless" adapter in Windows 10. That is, when connected via a Wi-Fi network. But judging by the information on the Internet, it is often not possible to configure TCP / IP when connecting to the Internet via cable. In Windows 7, this is the Local Area Connection adapter, and in Windows 10, it is Ethernet. In any case, if you have any problems with connecting to the Internet (for example, without access to the Internet, or limited) via cable or Wi-Fi, and when you try to change the TCP / IP parameters in the properties of the network connection, you see an error "To configure TCP / IP, you need to install and configure a network adapter", then try the solutions that I will discuss later in this article. They should help you.
A few more words about what this error is and why it appears. I have not found information anywhere about the reasons for this error. Even on the official Microsoft support forum, they can't explain why this message pops up. Kind of like replacing the network adapter. As a result, the system cannot work with the new adapter, there is no way to change the network settings, the DHCP server does not receive an address, and as a result of all this, the Internet does not work. Therefore, the error says: "... you should install and configure the network adapter." And nothing that it seems to be installed, since it is displayed on the system. And we cannot configure it, since the TCP / IP settings do not open. And for most users, this error pops up suddenly, without replacing the network adapter, changing some settings, etc.
Error solutions
I would like to first advise the option to remove the network adapter in Device Manager (to reinstall it), but since there may be problems with reinstalling the drivers (especially in Windows 7), I advise you to reset the network settings first. In order not to write about the same thing again and again, I just give links to detailed instructions:- Resetting TCP / IP and DNS Network Settings in Windows 7
- Reset network settings in Windows 10
Open the instruction that suits you, follow all the steps and restart your computer. If the problem persists, use the second solution.
2Since the error itself is "To configure TCP / IP, you must install and configure the network adapter." is somehow connected with the installation and configuration of the network adapter, the first thing that comes to mind is to reinstall the network adapter. You can download a driver for it and run the installation, but it seems to me that it is much more efficient to remove the network adapter from the system and reinstall it.Most often, after removing the adapter and restarting the computer, the system automatically finds it and installs the necessary drivers. But, so that later there were no problems, it is advisable to initially download the driver for the adapter, which we will remove. Especially if you have Windows 7 and you will be uninstalling the wireless adapter (Wi-Fi connection problem).
You need to open the device manager. You can do it in a way convenient for you. There are several options. I usually press the Win + R keyboard shortcut and execute the command devmgmt.msc... There we open the "Network adapters" tab, find the adapter we need (the name of the wireless adapter will most likely contain the words "WLAN", "Wireless", "802.11", and in the name of the network card "PCIe", "GBE") click on it right-click and select "Remove device". Look carefully! You need to remove exactly the adapter through which there were problems with connecting to the network.
Next, you need to confirm the deletion. Check the box next to "Remove driver programs for this device" do not recommend.
After uninstallation, the hardware configuration will be updated automatically. But I advise you to restart your computer.
3Try running troubleshooting.
Even if the network diagnostic tool itself does not correct this error, then the reason and some recommendations will probably be indicated, according to which it will already be possible to search for a solution on the Internet.
The option to reinstall the network adapter usually helps. The Internet starts working and the TCP / IP settings open.
In the event that the problem persists and the connection is without Internet access, try applying the solutions from these articles:
- Without Internet access in Windows 7 when connected via Wi-Fi network
- "Connection limited" in Windows 10 over Wi-Fi and network cable
If you managed to solve this problem and get rid of the error "To configure TCP / IP, you must install and configure a network adapter.", Then write in the comments which solution helped you. Or describe your method if it is not in this article. Good luck!
