[SOLVED] Ethernet only works after reboot (every other time)

[olat_dragneel]

Hello!

I was having some trouble with my built-in NIC where internet would disconnect randomly, so I went and purchased a dedicated network card.

This card does not have the same issue, my connection is stable and does not drop, but it does not work at all the first time I turn on my PC. In other words, whenever I turn on my PC I have to reboot it to get the network card to show up and internet to work.
If I do not do that, my network card does not show up in the Device Manager at all.
I'm using my wired connection.
My Windows 10 Version is: 10.0.19042 Build 19042
My network card is: Gigabit NIC-GX1

I tried the following things without success:

• Reinstalled the driver for my card several times clean (removed cable, uninstalled driver and device in Safe Mode, installed driver again) both by letting Windows install automatically and using the official driver from the manufacturer's website;
• Tried another PCI port on my motherboard, though it did not make much sense in the first place since whenever I reboot, my internet connection stays for good;
• Went back to the store and replaced the network card for a new one, just in case something was wrong with the first one, but again, I'm guessing it would cause issues all the time, not just on first boot;
• Tried using Windows Troubleshooting. This one failed immediately with errors showing up (screenshots attached below);
• Tried ipconfig /release and /renew in elevated CMD (screenshots attached below);
• Used the Windows 10 built in feature "Network Reset";
• Disabled "Green Ethernet", "Auto Disable Gigabit", "Power Saving Mode", "Wake on magic packet when system..." in the Advanced Properties section in the device manager for this device.
• Unchecked "Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power" under power management for my network card;
• Disable the onboard lan in BIOS. Toggling it makes no difference for the issue;

When I first boot my PC, the network card does not show up in the device manager at all and the internet icon shows a little globe with a small sign in the right lower corner:
Screenshot by Lightshot
Screenshot by Lightshot

Windows Troubleshooting comes back with these messages:
Screenshot by Lightshot
Screenshot by Lightshot
Screenshot by Lightshot
Screenshot by Lightshot
Screenshot by Lightshot

When I tried the CMD commands, this is what I got: Screenshot by Lightshot

Also, if I try to scan for new devices of reinstall the driver from the manufacturers website, it just does not find the device at all, so rebooting is the only fix I've found so far.

After I reboot, I get internet connection right from the start, no issues, error messages, nothing in the event viewer or the reliability monitor.

The device appears under device manager, and ipconfig /all shows data as expected:
Screenshot by Lightshot
Screenshot by Lightshot

Please let me know if you have any advice on what to try, or if you had a similar issue before and how you got it fixed.

Thank you!

 

[Colif]

try turning fast startup off and see if it helps - https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/4189-turn-off-fast-startup-windows-10-a.html

PCI card- https://gembird.nl/item.aspx?id=5239
Realtek chipset - RTL8111C
latest driver 2018 - https://www.realtek.cz/download-RTL8168C_8111C-network-driver-for-Windows10-64bit.html

it could be the age of the chips on the card, nothing to do with cards age. I have noticed a lot of old adapters just stop working with win 10 over the last few years, so I normally suggest getting something labelled as one of these: WIFI6/AX/AC2100 now as it will likely work for the next 5 years at least. (all codes mean same thing)

 

[olat_dragneel]

Hi there!

Fast startup is disabled, but the issue persists.

A small update: I've enabled hidden devices in Device Manager and found my network card. It says the following:
https://prnt.sc/12avwmj

Not sure if it helps, but wanted to add it as well.

 

[Ralston18]

Some additional information may help:

Run "ipconfig /all" (without quotes) via the Command Prompt and post the results.

Run " Get-NetAdapter" (without quotes) via Powershell at the PS> prompt and post the results.