How to Fix DHCP Error “Unable to Contact DHCP Server”?

Question

How Do I Fix Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) Error “An error occurred while renewing interface Ethernet: Unable to Contact DHCP Server. Request has timed out.” when try to lease, release or renew IP Address using ipconfig /renew command?

Solution 1: Verify Network Adapter Settings

1. Open Network Settings window or Internet Connection window using following method: Open Run dialog box by pressing Windows logo key + R key together, then type ncpa.cpl in it and click OK.
2. Double-click on active Network Adapter, then click Properties and locate the Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) entry on the list, select it and then the Properties button..
3. Make sure Obtain IP address automatically and Obtain DNS server address automatically is selected.
4. Click Advanced button and make sure that DHCP Enabled is listed.
5. Repeat the steps outlined above if you are using IPv6 as well or exclusively.

Solution 2: Windows Network Diagnostics or Network Troubleshooter

1. Right-click on the network icon in the Windows System Tray area and select Troubleshoot Problems from the context menu.
2. Windows checks the network and possible issues. It may display DHCP is not enabled for Local Area Connection after the check.
3. If it does that, select try these repairs as an administrator and follow the instructions.
4. Windows will repair the issue, enable DHCP for the adapter so that Internet and network access is restored if it relies on DHCP.

Solution 3: Update Network Adapter Drivers

1. Open device manager window with following method: Use Windows Key + R key combination in order to open Run dialog box then type devmgmt.msc in the box or type Device Manager into the search field next to the Start menu button.
2. Expand Network Adapters to display all network adapters that the machine has installed.
3. Right click on the network adapter you want to uninstall and select Uninstall device to remove the adapter from the list and uninstall the networking device.
4. Click OK when prompted to uninstall the device.
5. Remove the adapter from computer and navigate to manufacturer’s page to download the latest available drivers and install it.
6. Restart the computer and check to see if the problem has disappeared.

Solution 4: Roll Back Network Adapter Drivers

1. Open device manager window with following method: Use Windows Key + R key combination in order to open Run dialog box then type devmgmt.msc in the box or type Device Manager into the search field next to the Start menu button.
2. Expand Network Adapters to display all network adapters that the machine has installed.
3. Right click on the network adapter and select Properties.
4. Navigate to Driver tab and click Roll Back Driver option.
5. Restart the computer and check to see if the problem still occurs in Command Prompt.

Solution 5: Disable VirtualBox Related Driver

1. Open Network Settings window or Internet Connection window using following method: Open Run dialog box by pressing Windows logo key + R key together, then type ncpa.cpl in it and click OK.
2. Double-click on active Network Adapter, then click Properties and locate the VirtualBox Bridged Networking Driver entry on the list.
3. Disable the check box next to this entry and click OK.
4. Restart computer in order to confirm the changes and check to see if the error appears again.

Solution 6: ipconfig with registerdns option

1. Open cmd with Run as administrator option.
2. Type in the command: ipconfig /registerdns
3. After the operation completed successfully message show in Command Prompt, click the close button or type in exit in Command Prompt.
4. Restart computer and check to see if the problem is gone.

Solution 7: Disable IPv6 on Active Connection

1. Open Network Settings window or Internet Connection window using following method: Open Run dialog box by pressing Windows logo key + R key together, then type ncpa.cpl in it and click OK.
2. Double-click on active Network Adapter, then click Properties and locate the Internet Protocol Version 6 entry on the list.
3. Disable the check box next to this entry and click OK.
4. Restart computer in order to confirm the changes and check to see if the problem occurs in ipconfig again.

Solution 8: Restart DHCP Client Service

1. Open Services window using following method: Open Run dialog box by using the Windows Key + R key combination on keyboard. Type services.msc and click OK.
2. Locate DHCP Client Service in the services list, right-click on it and select Properties.
3. Stop the service.
4. Set Startup type to Automatic.
5. Click on the Start button to start the service.