The Default Gateway is Not Available Error {Solved}

Windows 10, along with a complete User Interface overhaul, improvements, and features, brought with it a slew of network and connectivity issues. A major error to appear is “Default gateway is not available” issue. Users who suffered from this problem will either have their internet connection dropped now and then or have no access to the internet at all and a restricted or no connectivity status symbol on the network icon.

The Default Gateway is Not Available

Default Gateway helps to pass packets forward from your network to the outside networks. With this error in Windows 10, you will be unable to communicate with the network from outside.

How to Fix The Default Gateway is Not Available Error

Luckily, the “Default gateway is not available” error is fixable, and the following are some of the most effective solutions to fix it.

Solution 1: Update Windows 10 and Drivers

Since the error is directly connected to the hardware not being able to collude with Windows 10 this problem may arise due to the old drivers that are incompatible. Hence to fix this issue, try to update your Windows 10 so that the drivers will be updated automatically.

Solution 2: Uninstall Network Adapter Drivers

Uninstalling network adapter’s drivers is another solution that can help you in fixing the “Default gateway is not available” error on Windows 10. There is no need to worry about uninstalling your network adapter’s drivers as Windows will detect your network adapter once it reboots and it will then reinstall its drivers.

Step 1: First, search for and open the Device Manager.

Step 2: Then open the Network adapters. Right-click on the network adapter that is currently in use.

Step 3: Now click on the Uninstall and confirm the action.

Step 4: At last, Restart the computer, and your network adapter will be detected and it’s drivers reinstalled once your computer boots up.

Solution 3: Change the Frequency of the Wireless Router

Nowadays routers can support frequencies up to 5GHz, but your prevailing adapter may not be able to support this frequency. So, you need to change the frequency from an automatic to a definite value. To change the frequency, you can take help from the user guidebook of your router.

Solution 4: Manually assign the IP address and default gateway

Step 1: Press the “Windows key + X” and then select the command prompt.

Step 2: Now write “ipconfig” and click enter.

Step 3: Write down the default gateway, IP address and subnet mask listed on Wi-Fi.

Step 4: Next right-click on the wireless icon and select “open network and sharing center.”

Step 5: Then choose “change adapter settings” visible on the left-hand of the menu.

Step 6: After that, right-click on “wireless adapter connection” and choose “properties.”

Step 7: Select “IP Version 4” and then click “properties.”

Step 8: Allow the “use the following IP address” and enter the default gateway, IP address and subnet mask which you noted down earlier.

Step 9: Finally, select “Apply” then click on “OK.”

Step 10: Reboot your system to save the changes.

Solution 5: Change Network Adapter Drivers

To fix the “Default gateway is not available” problem using this solution, you need to:

Step 1: Search for and open the Device Manager.

Step 2: Then expand the Network adapters. Right-click on the network adapter that you are currently using and click on Update Driver Software on the menu.

Step 3: Now click on “Browse my computer for driver software.” After that Click on “Let me pick from a list of device drivers on my computer.

Step 4: Next uncheck the “Show compatible hardware.”

Step 5: Finally select the Network Adapter from the list. Click on Next and follow the on-screen guide to change your network adapter’s drivers.

If this method is unsuccessful for you or you have a different network adapter, then keep changing your network adapter’s driver to a different one from the list.

Solution 6: Remove Antivirus Programs

In many instances, the reason behind the “Default gateway is not available” issue was an Antivirus program. If you have any Antivirus software whatsoever, go to Control Panel → Programs → Programs and Features and completely uninstall them. You can also go directly to the Add & Remove Programs by pressing “Windows Key + R” simultaneously and type appwiz.cpl in the run dialogue.

If this solution works, you can go forward and install alternatives to the previous Antivirus programs that you deleted. If this fix doesn’t work for you, then you can re-install your anti-virus product after the issue gets resolved.

Solution 7: Change the Power Saving Mode of the Wireless Adapter

Step 1: Press “Windows + R” to open the run prompt.

Step 2: Now type “devmgmt.msc” and hit “Enter.”

Step 3: Then double click on the “Network Adapter” option in the list.

Step 4: Next, right-click on the driver that you are using and select “Properties.”

Step 5: At last, click on the “Power Management” tab and uncheck the “Allow the computer to turn off this device to conserve power” option.

Solution 8: Use “netshell” Reset Command

Step 1: Click the “Windows key + X” to open the command prompt.

Step 2: Now type “nets hint IP reset” in the command prompt and press “Enter.”

Step 3: Finally exit the command prompt and reboot your system.

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Conclusion

These are all the solutions to fix the Default Gateway is Not Available error in Windows 10 Operating System. Try to follow all the possible methods in an orderly manner to fix this error.