How do I resolve an Unidentified network message for an ethernet LAN with a separate wi-fi connection

Question

How do I resolve an Unidentified network message for an ethernet LAN with a separate wi-fi connection

Paul Danaher 0

I have a two-PC LAN with a Private network Ethernet connection and separate wi-fi. One computer is showing the ethernet as an Unidentified network, and resets it to Public on rebooting.

How do I get the PC to “identify” the ethernet network?

Paul Danaher 0 Reputation points

2026-05-12T21:22:30.77+00:00

I’ve done the usual Reddit stuff, reset yadda, yadda, yadda … I’m still sitting here looking at “Unidentified network” and the network resetting to Public and the wrong IPv4 settings after rebooting.

3 answers

Your answer

Paul Danaher 0 Reputation points

2026-05-12T21:22:30.77+00:00

I’ve done the usual Reddit stuff, reset yadda, yadda, yadda … I’m still sitting here looking at “Unidentified network” and the network resetting to Public and the wrong IPv4 settings after rebooting.

Answer 1

Paul Danaher 0

I changed the cable, no change in the problem. Both cat-5 cables are fine with other connections (NAS, printer).

Ivan B 110.7K Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-05-12T00:00:45.19+00:00

Hi,

Initially, try resetting your network settings if you're having trouble using Ethernet via cable.

Go to Start Menu > Network & Internet > Advanced Network Settings > Network Reset > Reset now.

After restarting your PC, disconnect the cable and reconnect it.

Open the Command Prompt (admin) and run the following commands:

ipconfig /release

ipconfig /renew

ipconfig /flushdns

Restart your PC.

Thanks
Paul Danaher 0 Reputation points

2026-05-13T19:42:19.9566667+00:00

Done all this, at least twice. No improvement.
Ivan B 110.7K Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-05-13T22:13:14.3966667+00:00

Hi,

Is the network cable connected directly to the secondary router or directly to the ISP modem?

Thanks
Paul Danaher 0 Reputation points

2026-05-13T22:56:56.8433333+00:00

It’s connected to the secondary router.
Ivan B 110.7K Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-05-13T23:28:06.5633333+00:00

Hi,

So the problem is probably a DNS or IP conflict on the secondary router. The best option would be to reset the router and reconfigure it, or access it to check if the DHCP server isn't working correctly.

Did you configure the second router yourself, or was it your internet provider?

Thanks
Paul Danaher 0 Reputation points

2026-05-14T10:28:35.1+00:00

It’s a TL-SG105E, looks plausible (the “Help” is mostly Mandarin). Where would a conflict show up?
Ivan B 110.7K Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-05-14T20:43:21.3833333+00:00

Hi,

From what I'm seeing here, the Mini-Switch has software that you can use to reconfigure it. Just to be sure, how many devices are connected to this TL-SG105E so I can give you the correct guidance?

If it was a technician from your internet provider who did the configuration, I recommend contacting your Internet Provider.

Thanks
Paul Danaher 0 Reputation points

2026-05-14T23:14:18.5166667+00:00

There are four devices connected. I have the Easy Smart switch configuration software.
Ivan B 110.7K Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-05-14T23:18:34.7533333+00:00

Hi,

Do the following: disconnect other devices, leaving only the cable from your PC and the cable from your ISP modem connected. Restart your PC, unplug the cable, and reconnect it. See if it gets the correct IP address.

Thanks
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Paul Danaher 0 Reputation points

2026-05-15T11:08:53.3866667+00:00

Ivan B, if I offended you it was unintentional and I naturally apologise. I was trying to clarify the situation here, as I seem to have misrepresented it.
There is no “cable from my ISP modem”, so I can’t follow the above suggestion.
Ivan B 110.7K Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-05-15T19:16:40.7633333+00:00

Hi,

I understand, but since it receives network or internet without a modem cable, it's not a router but a miniswitch, or did I misunderstand the model?

Sorry if I misunderstood the model.

Thanks
Paul Danaher 0 Reputation points

2026-05-15T21:53:40.6+00:00

My mistake – it was being referred to as a “router” in a different tech support thread, as distinguished from a “modem”. I now understand that it’s technically an Ethernet (mini)switch.
If it would help, I can insert a Netgear router into the network?
Ivan B 110.7K Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-05-15T22:28:29.5666667+00:00

Hi,

I understand. In this case, you want to use the router and connect the ISP modem via Wi-Fi using that router?

Thanks
Paul Danaher 0 Reputation points

2026-05-15T22:48:04.04+00:00

Umm. I could use the Netgear router to connect to the Linksys Mesh repeater that provides Internet to our apartment. The Netgear router has four Ethernet ports. Then I could use the switch to add the other devices I want on the network (NAS, external storage, printers). If I do this, I don’t know how I should set up the second PC to access the other devices.
Ivan B 110.7K Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-05-15T23:28:19.97+00:00

Hi,

In this case, you can do that, but I NAS recommend connecting directly through the ISP modem instead of the Mesh or Router.

It depends on how you use it, if it's for data transfer and constant use.

Thanks

Answer 2

Paul Danaher 0

No – we share a FIOS connection for the Internet.

0 comments

Answer 3

Ivan B 110.7K Independent Advisor

Hi,

Do you want to share your PC's Wi-Fi internet connection with another PC via Ethernet cable?

Thanks

Paul Danaher 0 Reputation points

2026-05-11T22:22:05.13+00:00

No, we share a FIOS connection for accessing the Internet.
Ivan B 110.7K Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-05-11T22:40:50.9566667+00:00

Hi,

Sorry, is it possible you have a network cable connected but it's showing as unidentified, even though you're connected to Wi-Fi?

Thanks
Ivan B 110.7K Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-05-12T22:21:01.3033333+00:00

Hi,

Even after resetting, it's still not detecting the network and therefore has no connection.

If possible, please provide your PC configuration or laptop model so we can check the driver issues.

Thanks

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How do I resolve an Unidentified network message for an ethernet LAN with a separate wi-fi connection

3 answers

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