Top and Bottom lights only working on Realtek PCIe GBE Family Controller / unidentified network realtek PCIe GBE

vivvidwarrior

Prominent
Feb 13, 2018
2
0
510
Hey so I've had this for awhile now and every so often it stops working.
Every time, i forget how i fixed it last time.
The internet isn't helpful too.
Every article explains the same thing, drivers. Drivers are not the problem here.
I have tried the following:
- Resetting my IP
- Updating/Removing/Doing practically everything with my drivers.
- Unplugging & Replugging
- Clicking the button on the device on both ends
- Clicking the button on the device on both ends but at different times or at different lengths of press.
-Restarting everything and anything
-Most if not all CMD commands in admin mode

My computer has wifi adapter with it so i'm able to access wifi via that but it's sooo slow.
Here's some screenshots.
https://imgur.com/a/OjDAb

Code:
   Connection-specific DNS Suffix  . :
   Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Realtek PCIe GBE Family Controller
   Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : EC-AA-A0-1E-41-6A
   DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : Yes
   Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
   Link-local IPv6 Address . . . . . : fe80::d44f:f479:fd3e:2b17%19(Preferred)
   Autoconfiguration IPv4 Address. . : 169.254.43.23(Preferred)
   Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.0.0
   Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . :
   DHCPv6 IAID . . . . . . . . . . . : 351054496
   DHCPv6 Client DUID. . . . . . . . : 00-01-00-01-1F-E7-D9-C4-EC-AA-A0-1E-41-6A
   DNS Servers . . . . . . . . . . . : fec0:0:0:ffff::1%1
                                       fec0:0:0:ffff::2%1
                                       fec0:0:0:ffff::3%1
   NetBIOS over Tcpip. . . . . . . . : Enabled

Essentially, the top and bottom lights are on, not flashing just on while the middle is off.
Same story for the other side too.
According to windows, Ethernet Status (on the control panel), I have sent 2,813 packets but received none.
My 'IPv4 Connectivity has now network access and my IPv6 is the same.
Trying to troubleshoot pops out the error, "Ethernet doesn't have a valid IP Configuration"

I'm pretty sure that's all the info i can give you.
Please let me know if i can give anymore.

I really hope you can help me!
like really hope. :(
 
Solution
Check the wall jacks and as much of the infrastructure wiring as you safely can. (No climbing on roofs, going into dark attics, etc..)

"Garage, converted room" makes me think that the Ethernet wiring may be some sort of DIY and, however well-meaning perhaps, was not done correctly or has just has some punched down wire working loose. Check in the wall jack and check the other end - hopefully a patch panel.

Does not take much to cause a connection problem and what you did before may have just been a coincidental "fix".

Ralston18

Titan
Moderator
Windows 10? Try the built-in network troubleshooter:

"WIN" + "I" > Update & Security > Troubleshoot

The 169.254.43.23 IP address is the IP address Windows self assigns when an IP address cannot be otherwise obtained.

Have you tried another known working Ethernet cable? Could be that the existing cable is just intermittently failing and your actions appear to fix things....

Other thoughts:

Any wall jacks involved?

Are you sure that the PCIe card is fully and securely seated?

You mentioned lights. Which specific model/number PCIe card are you using? Do you have the User Guide/Manual. The manual should explain the lights and colors (if applicable) and their meanings.

However - reading this:

"Essentially, the top and bottom lights are on, not flashing just on while the middle is off.
Same story for the other side too."

makes me wonder if you are using PowerLine adapters. If you are using Powerline adapters what make and model? Also be sure that there are no power strips, surge protectors, UPSs, etc. being used anywhere along the connection path.


 

vivvidwarrior

Prominent
Feb 13, 2018
2
0
510


Ethernet cable is fine.
Built in troubleshooter does nothing. "Ethernet doesn't have a valid IP Configuration", that's it.
Wall jacks are involved and PCIe card is fully securely seated.
I'm using a Realtek PCIe GBE Family Controller and i don't know the model. It's just the same as the one on Amazon.
My room is downstairs and the router is a room practically next to it, any surge protectors, strips etc wouldn't go near it unless you count my electricity box in my room (I'm in the garage, converted room) however that would constantly interfere with the device however this problem is practically on and off sometimes.

The problem is completely random at times too however it happens like once or twice every two months and it can take like a week to fix.

It's a shame how i don't remember how i fix it normally.
It's more or less a guessing game at this point and trying different methods of resetting it is essentially gambling.

I would love to buy another adapter or a new one but the market is rather desaturated in my opinion and getting a new one wont fix it.
 

Ralston18

Titan
Moderator
Check the wall jacks and as much of the infrastructure wiring as you safely can. (No climbing on roofs, going into dark attics, etc..)

"Garage, converted room" makes me think that the Ethernet wiring may be some sort of DIY and, however well-meaning perhaps, was not done correctly or has just has some punched down wire working loose. Check in the wall jack and check the other end - hopefully a patch panel.

Does not take much to cause a connection problem and what you did before may have just been a coincidental "fix".

 
Solution