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[Solved] How Do I 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?

DHCP Error

Content Summary

Solution 1: Verify Network Adapter Settings
Solution 2: Windows Network Diagnostics or Network Troubleshooter
Solution 3: Update Network Adapter Drivers
Solution 4: Roll Back Network Adapter Drivers
Solution 5: Disable VirtualBox Related Driver
Solution 6: ipconfig with registerdns option
Solution 7: Disable IPv6 on Active Connection
Solution 8: Restart DHCP Client Service

Solution 1: Verify Network Adapter Settings

Step 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.

Step 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..

Step 3: Make sure Obtain IP address automatically and Obtain DNS server address automatically is selected.

Step 4: Click Advanced button and make sure that DHCP Enabled is listed.

Step 5: Repeat the steps outlined above if you are using IPv6 as well or exclusively.

Solution 2: Windows Network Diagnostics or Network Troubleshooter

Step 1: Right-click on the network icon in the Windows System Tray area and select Troubleshoot Problems from the context menu.

Step 2: Windows checks the network and possible issues. It may display DHCP is not enabled for Local Area Connection after the check.

Step 3: If it does that, select try these repairs as an administrator and follow the instructions.

Step 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

Step 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.

Step 2: Expand Network Adapters to display all network adapters that the machine has installed.

Step 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.

Step 4: Click OK when prompted to uninstall the device.

Step 5: Remove the adapter from computer and navigate to manufacturer’s page to download the latest available drivers and install it.

Step 6: Restart the computer and check to see if the problem has disappeared.

Solution 4: Roll Back Network Adapter Drivers

Step 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.

Step 2: Expand Network Adapters to display all network adapters that the machine has installed.

Step 3: Right click on the network adapter and select Properties.

Step 4: Navigate to Driver tab and click Roll Back Driver option.

Step 5: Restart the computer and check to see if the problem still occurs in Command Prompt.

Solution 5: Disable VirtualBox Related Driver

Step 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.

Step 2: Double-click on active Network Adapter, then click Properties and locate the VirtualBox Bridged Networking Driver entry on the list.

Step 3: Disable the check box next to this entry and click OK.

Step 4: Restart computer in order to confirm the changes and check to see if the error appears again.

Solution 6: ipconfig with registerdns option

Step 1: Open cmd with Run as administrator option.

Step 2: Type in the command: ipconfig /registerdns

Step 3: After the operation completed successfully message show in Command Prompt, click the close button or type in exit in Command Prompt.

Step 4: Restart computer and check to see if the problem is gone.

Solution 7: Disable IPv6 on Active Connection

Step 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.

Step 2: Double-click on active Network Adapter, then click Properties and locate the Internet Protocol Version 6 entry on the list.

Step 3: Disable the check box next to this entry and click OK.

Step 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

Step 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.

Step 2: Locate DHCP Client Service in the services list, right-click on it and select Properties.

Step 3: Stop the service.

Step 4: Set Startup type to Automatic.

Step 5: Click on the Start button to start the service.

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