How to Fix “The Default Gateway is Not Available”

If Windows is unable to connect to the gateway of the network router, then it will result in the "Default gateway is not available" error. In most cases, this error proves to be a router problem. Many a time, restarting the router fixes the issue. In that case, the main problem can be due to:

Primary Gateway is Unavailable. Problem Message

This may occur because third-party tools are blocking access to your router. Examples would include firewalls and virus protection.

This may occur if the DNS settings have not been well set.

This error will appear when the default gateway of your router has changed due to incorrect settings in the network.

A few ways through which this can be rectified are described below.

1. Shut Off the Power Adapter on the Network.

Change the power settings for your network adapter to prevent Windows from turning off the device to save power. That way, you can stay connected consistently without experiencing disruptive hiccups caused by Power Save mode. If an incorrect configuration of power settings lets a network adapter slip into a low-power state, connectivity problems may ensue .

Open Device Manager.

Enhance your network adapters with Device Manager

Right-click on your network adapter and open its properties.

In the list provided below, click on Power Management.

Uncheck the box In order to conserve electricity, let the computer power off this device. Turning Off Power Control

Click OK

Check if that solves your problem.

2. Block Third-Party Firewall and Antivirus Software

Third-party security solutions have the potential of denying access to a network due to the security features they enforce. This can result in some connectivity problems where it incorrectly blocks network traffic with the view that it is malicious. To fix this:

Disable your third-party antivirus product temporarily to check whether this fixes the issue.

Now, delete or replace the program to enhance network connectivity once removing the program fixes the problem.

3. Reset Default IP Address

For that, try restarting your IP settings. Just follow the steps below:

Run Command Prompt as an administrator. Once you've found Command Prompt, hover over it and click on "Run as administrator." Starting the Command Prompt as an Administrator

For each of the following commands, press Enter to execute: the command "netsh int ip reset C: esetlog.txt" resetting IP using netsh winsock reset ipconfig /flushdns

Now, restart your computer and then close the Command Prompt.

Once you have restarted your computer, check whether the issue persists or not.

4.Update Drivers for Your Network

The reason your computer may not be communicating well with your router is probably because your network drivers are outdated or flawed. Any problems or defects regarding the older drivers are subject to an update of your network drivers. Get updated drivers for your network as follows:

Open the Device Manager.To open the device manager

Expand the Network Adapters list.Device Manager

Right-click onto your network device to update the driver for it. Update driver for Network

Please select Search for driver software on my computer.Searching for a Driver in the Vicinity

Click the "Let me pick" button to select a driver from a list. Update driver for Network

Find the option to hide the list of suitable hardware.Switching to an Alternate Network Driver

Click Next after selecting an alternate driver.

Install it, ensuring that the issue has been resolved.

If the above fails then you want to try reinstalling the driver of your network.

Right click on the driver to uninstall the device."Network Driver Uninstall"

Windows will automatically reinstall the device upon rebooting your computer.

The error message should no longer appear.

5. DNS Servers Change

Connectivity issues can be repaired by changing over to a more reliable DNS server. DNS servers translate domain names to numerical IP addresses in order to assign them. Increase reliability and speed by utilizing a dependable DNS service provider. Other popular DNS service providers are Cloudflare, 1.1.1.1 and 1.0.0.1, and Google, 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4. Try it out:

Click your right mouse button on the network icon in the taskbar.

Under the Internet and Network list, click on Network Configuration

Scroll to Advanced network settings. Configuring the Network Infrastructure

Click Additional network options for the network card. Personalised Network Settings

Right click on your network card to open its properties.

Double click on Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) to open it. Ethernet Properties

If you have Google or Cloudflare, then their DNS addresses write: Search Engine: 8.8.8.8 and onwards, CloudFlare, v 8.8.4.4: 1.0.0. One.1.1Changing DNS Server

Click OK and check to see if the issue is resolved.

6. Perform a Clean Boot

A clean boot starts Windows with only the essential services running, minimizing the possibility of a conflict with third-party applications that might be interfering with your network connection.

Open the Task Manager by pressing Ctrl + Shift + Esc.

Go to the Startup tab. Click Disable for each application listed.Officially Disable Dependence Applications

Type in msconfig in the Windows Run dialog box and hit the Enter key.Starting System Settings

In System Configuration, click on the Services tab then select the Hide all Microsoft services checkbox.Disable Windows Updates

Click Disable all before clicking on Apply Block Access to External Services

Try restarting your computer for a fresh boot to see if it helps.

By doing so, you should be able to fix the "default gateway is not available" error and have access to the internet again.