RTL8153B-VB-CG Ethernet Port Not Activating? Here's How to Fix It

RTL8153B-VB-CG Ethernet Port Not Activating? Here's How to Fix It

If you’re facing an issue where your RTL8153B-VB-CG Ethernet port is not activating, don’t worry! It’s a problem that can be fixed with a few simple troubleshooting steps. Let’s go through the possible causes and detailed solutions step-by-step.

Potential Causes of the Issue:

Driver Issues: The most common cause of this issue is outdated, missing, or corrupted Drivers for the RTL8153B-VB-CG Ethernet port. Hardware Problems: Sometimes, the issue can be caused by a physical fault in the Ethernet cable, port, or even the adapter itself. Power Settings: The Ethernet port might be deactivated or not receiving power due to certain power-saving settings in your system. Network Settings: Misconfigurations in your network settings can prevent the Ethernet port from connecting properly. Operating System Issues: The issue could also be related to system-level problems like updates or conflicts within the operating system.

Step-by-Step Guide to Fix the Issue:

1. Check the Physical Connection: Action: Ensure that your Ethernet cable is properly plugged into the port and that the cable is in good condition. Try swapping the cable with another one to rule out a damaged cable. Action: Test the Ethernet port with a different device to see if the problem lies with the adapter or the computer itself. 2. Restart Your Computer: Action: Sometimes, a simple restart can solve connection problems. Reboot your computer to refresh all settings and clear up any minor glitches. 3. Update or Reinstall the Ethernet Drivers : Action: Go to Device Manager: Press Windows + X and select Device Manager. Find Network Adapters and locate your RTL8153B-VB-CG. Right-click and select Update Driver. Choose Search automatically for updated driver software. If an update is available, it will install automatically. If there’s no update, try Uninstalling the driver: Right-click on the driver and select Uninstall. Restart your computer. Windows will automatically reinstall the necessary drivers. 4. Check Power Management Settings: Action: Sometimes Windows disables the network adapter to save power: Open Device Manager and find Network Adapters. Right-click your Ethernet adapter and select Properties. Under the Power Management tab, uncheck Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power. Click OK and restart your computer. 5. Check for Windows Updates: Action: Ensure your operating system is up to date. Sometimes, OS-level updates can fix compatibility or driver issues: Open Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update. Click Check for Updates and install any pending updates. 6. Reset Network Settings: Action: Resetting network settings can often solve connectivity problems. Open Settings > Network & Internet > Status. Scroll down and click on Network reset. Click Reset now and confirm the action. Your computer will restart. 7. Test the Adapter on Another Device: Action: If none of the above works, test the RTL8153B-VB-CG adapter on a different computer or device. If the Ethernet port works fine on the other device, it might be a problem specific to your original machine. 8. Check the Router and Network Settings: Action: Make sure the router is functioning properly. Restart the router, and ensure the Ethernet port you’re connecting to is not malfunctioning.

Advanced Solutions (if needed):

Try a System Restore:

If the issue started after a recent system change (like an update or new software), you can try rolling back to a previous system state where the Ethernet port was working.

Go to Control Panel > System and Security > System > System Protection > System Restore.

Test with a Different Operating System:

If you have a dual-boot system or can use a Live USB version of another operating system (like Linux), test the Ethernet port there to see if the problem is related to your operating system.

By following these troubleshooting steps, you should be able to resolve the issue with your RTL8153B-VB-CG Ethernet port. Always ensure that your drivers are up to date and your system settings are properly configured. If none of these steps work, it might be time to consider replacing the Ethernet adapter if it is physically damaged.