Quite often, many users working on the World Wide Web encounter an unpleasant problem of loss of connection when the system displays a message that there is a connection without access to the Internet or, even worse, a warning that the default gateway is unavailable. Windows 10 when considering the problem and how to fix it will be taken as a basic example, although in versions 7 and 8 the problem is similar.
What is a gateway?
Before considering the connection problem, we should dwell on the theory and explain what a gateway is.
Without going into the jungle of computer terminology and functioning technology, we note that in Windows operating systems the gateway is special software (software) in the form of a router that allows you to convert (convert) network connection protocols to each other. In fact, a router can also be called a network gateway, but it sends, transmits and receives data packets only in networks with the same protocols.
The software gateway in Windows does not depend on this and is able to work with connections using different protocols. In fact, it is a means of exchanging data between computers, servers and entire networks, regardless of the method used to connect to the Internet or to combine them into one network.
What does “Default Gateway Unavailable” mean?
In principle, if such a problem arises, it only means that the current settings do not allow the above processes to be performed. A gateway error most often occurs when using built-in or external Wi-Fi network adapters, and in Windows operating systems, starting with the seventh version and higher. As already clear, the "top ten" is no exception either.
On the other hand, an approximate situation may look like this: a mobile phone or tablet connects to the home network without problems, pages are loaded, downloads are activated, etc., and for some reason the laptop with an enviable consistency gives a message that the gateway installed unavailable by default (Windows 10 in our case).
There can be a lot of problems here. The main reasons are “flown” power settings, the Internet connection itself, or incorrectly installed (or unofficial, albeit working) network adapter drivers. In general, somewhere something is amiss. Because of this, the reception and transmission of data packets is not possible, that is, the channel is simply blocked or inaccessible.
Very often, blocking can be observed when working with Torrent clients, when the speed of reverse distribution is set higher than the download speed.
Failure "The default gateway is unavailable": what should I do?
Now issues related to the penetration of viruses into the system will not be considered, since such situations are extremely rare. Let us dwell on some of the most famous causes and methods for their elimination.
The fact is that the default Windows settings are such that sometimes it is from them that problems can arise. However, there is no need to panic. Conversion of the parameters responsible for the connection is quite simple. Let us dwell on each type of settings in more detail.
Configure power options
So, the user sees a warning on the screen that the default gateway is unavailable. Windows 10 allows you to configure the desired configuration is quite simple. And anyone, even a completely unprepared user, can perform such actions.
To do this, you can use either the command line, or the standard "Control Panel" in Windows 10, or administration (there is not much difference). First of all, attention should be paid to food, the energy saving parameters of which very often cause such malfunctions.
So, first we use the “Control Panel” in Windows 10 and select the device manager section there (you can also call it from the Run menu (Win + R), where the devmgmt.msc command is written). Here we find our network adapter and select the property bar in the context menu . On the power management tab, remove the “bird” from the parameter that allows the device to be turned off to save energy. The same settings can be made in the computer administration section.
If this does not help, and the error “The default gateway is unavailable” appears again, Windows 10 suggests making the same settings in the system itself (power section in the “Control Panel”). The wireless adapter is also selected here, and the setting should correspond to maximum performance.
Change TCP / IP Settings
However, as practice shows, mainly failures of this type are associated with incorrect configuration of the TCP / IP protocol, in particular, when the settings for obtaining the IP address of the settings for the subnet mask, gateway, DNS or proxy server are set not in automatic but in manual mode .
We go into the Internet properties section, select the line with the appropriate protocol (IPv4) and use the properties button. In the line of gateway parameters, look at the specified values. Very important! The gateway address indicated on the router (router) should be written here. There may be two options: 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1 (for example, when distributing Wi-Fi from a laptop). The nameplate located on the back of the router has the correct value. Enter the correct address - that's all. It can often be observed that the IP address and gateway values may coincide, but this applies to single terminals, and not several network ones.
Install the official drivers
A fairly common phenomenon is that the Windows 10 default gateway is unavailable error is generated by Windows 10 due to incorrectly installed or unofficial drivers for the Wi-Fi adapter. What to do in this case?
In the “Device Manager”, first remove the installed drivers or the device itself from the context menu with the entrance to the properties section (or without it). Now you will need to download the latest (current at the current time) version of the official driver from the equipment manufacturer’s website from another computer, and when reinstalling, indicate to the system the installation from the selected location. In many cases, the problem is solved that way.
Other possible situations
Of course, these are only the most common cases. Sometimes the problem may be, for example, the inoperability of the adapter itself or the network card. There is nothing to be done, you will have to conduct a hardware test, and if necessary, replace it.
It’s rare, but you can still encounter problems with the included virus software or firewall, incompletely installed updates of the “OS” itself, using the parameters Task Offload, Flow Control, etc. But in this case they were not considered, since the percentage of their occurrence is scanty .
Conclusion
It remains to add that the error that arises is not particularly serious and is eliminated quite simply. Another thing is that if all of the above does not help, the problem should be sought deeper (most likely, you will have to change the appropriate equipment). But as for the standard methods of correction, they work almost always.