How to Fix Default Gateway Errors in Windows 11

Quick Tips

• If you’re running into the default gateway error on your computer, try updating Windows and temporarily disabling any third-party security software you might have installed.
• Alternatively, try fixes like resetting the TCP/IP stack, adjusting your power saving settings, disabling and re-enabling your network adapter, and flushing the DNS cache.

Try These Things First

• Disable the third-party security program: The web safety feature of your third-party antivirus program can interfere with your network and cause the default gateway error. This is especially the case with the McAfee antivirus program. To confirm, disable the third-party antivirus and check if you still face the error.
• Check for Windows update: Using an outdated Windows version can also cause a problem. To eliminate this possibility, open the Settings app, choose Windows Update from the left sidebar, and click Check for updates on the right. Windows will now look for a download and available update for your computer.

Fix 1: Check Your Network Settings

First, ensure that DHCP is enabled on your computer. Follow these steps to enable it.

Step 1: Open the Start Menu, type Control Panel in the search bar, and press Enter.

Step 2: Click the Network and Internet option.

Step 3: Click on Network and Sharing Center.

Step 4: Right-click on Wi-Fi or Ethernet, whichever you’re connected with, and choose Properties.

Step 5: Select Internet Protocol Version 4 (IPv4) and choose Properties.

Step 6: Choose Obtain an IP address automatically. Then, click OK to save the changes.

Fix 2: Disable and Enable the Network Adapter

If your system cannot connect to the default gateway, disable network adapter and re-enable it. Doing this will eliminate any temporary bug or glitch in the network adapter that might be causing the error. You can disable and enable the network adapter by following the below instructions:

Step 1: Open the Control Panel > navigate to Network and Internet > Network and Sharing Center > Change adapter settings.

Step 2: Right-click on Wi-Fi if you’re using Wi-Fi or Ethernet if connected via an Ethernet, and choose Disable.

Step 3: Wait a few seconds, right-click on your network adapter again, and choose Enable.

After that, check if the problem continues. If yes, try the next solution.

Fix 3: Reset TCP/IP

The TCP/IP stack is a collection of communication protocols that allows data transmission and network connectivity over the Internet. However, the stack can become corrupt due to custom configurations, temporary settings, or even third-party software that messes with those settings.

You can reset the TCP/IP stack, which means your computer will get a new IP address and DNS settings. To do that, follow these steps:

Step 1: Open the Start Menu, type Command Prompt in the search bar, and choose Run as administrator from the right pane.

Step 2: In the elevated Command Prompt window, type the following command and press Enter.

netsh int ip reset

After that, you’ll see the Restart the computer to complete this action message. So, restart your computer to apply the changes and let it get a fresh IP address and other network details.

Fix 4: Configure Power Saving Mode

Another reason you see default gateway errors is when your laptop’s power saving mode kicks in. If you’re using a power-saving plan, Windows will automatically put the wireless network adapter to sleep if not used for a long time.

Windows does that to save on power. To stop that from happening, switch to the maximum performance mode. Here’s how to do that:

Step 1: Open the Start Menu, type Edit power plan in the search bar, and choose Open from the right pane.

Step 2: Click the Change advanced power settings option.

Step 3: Double-click on Wireless Adapter Settings.

Step 4: Double-click on the Power Saving Mode.

Step 5: Select On battery > click the drop-down icon next to it > choose Maximum Performance.

Step 6: Select Plugged in > click the drop-down icon next to it > choose Maximum Performance.

Step 7: Click Apply > OK to save the changes.

Next, restart your computer and check for the issue.

Fix 5: Reset the DNS Cache

Resetting the DNS cache is another common fix that many users have found helpful in resolving the default gateway errors. To do it, open Command Prompt as an administrator, type the following commands, and press Enter after each command:

ipconfig /flushdns

nbtstat -R

nbtstat -RR

netsh int reset all

netsh winsock reset

Also Read: Best DNS servers for gaming for low ping