Fix DHCP Not Enabled for WiFi on Windows

Symptoms

• WiFi shows 'Connected, no internet' or 'Limited connectivity'.
• IP address is manually set (static) or shows 169.254.x.x (APIPA).
• Unable to browse websites or access network resources.
• Other devices on same network work fine.

Root Causes

• IPv4 settings manually configured to use a static IP address.
• DHCP client service is disabled or not running.
• Network adapter driver issues or misconfiguration.
• Third-party firewall or VPN software interfering with DHCP.

Step-by-Step Fix: Enable DHCP via Network Adapter Settings

1. Press Windows + R, type ncpa.cpl, and press Enter.
2. Right-click your WiFi adapter and select Properties.
3. Select Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) and click Properties.
4. Select Obtain an IP address automatically and Obtain DNS server address automatically.
5. Click OK, then close all windows.
6. Open Command Prompt as Administrator and run:

   ipconfig /release

   ipconfig /renew

7. Check IP configuration:

   ipconfig /all

   Ensure DHCP Enabled is Yes and IP address is not 169.254.x.x.

Alternative Fixes

Using Command Prompt (Netsh)

1. Open Command Prompt as Administrator.
2. Run:

   netsh interface ip set address name="Wi-Fi" source=dhcp

3. Run:

   netsh interface ip set dns name="Wi-Fi" source=dhcp

4. Restart the WiFi adapter:

   netsh interface set interface name="Wi-Fi" admin=disable

   netsh interface set interface name="Wi-Fi" admin=enable

Restart DHCP Client Service

1. Press Windows + R, type services.msc, press Enter.
2. Locate DHCP Client, right-click and select Restart.
3. Set Startup type to Automatic if not already.

Reset Network Stack

1. Open Command Prompt as Administrator.
2. Run these commands in order:

   netsh winsock reset

   netsh int ip reset

   ipconfig /flushdns

3. Restart your computer.

Prevention

• Avoid manually setting IP addresses unless required by your network administrator.
• Keep network drivers updated from the manufacturer's website.
• Do not disable the DHCP Client service.
• If using a VPN, ensure it does not override DHCP settings.
• Regularly run network troubleshooter: Settings > Network & Internet > Status > Network troubleshooter.

Additional Notes

If the issue persists after all steps, consider resetting your router or contacting your ISP. For enterprise environments, check if DHCP is enabled on the server side. Always back up any static IP settings before changing them.