“The default gateway is not available” is a common connectivity issue that shows up its ugly face every now and then on Windows operating system. Users who get this error will either have no Internet connection at all (Red Cross on network icon) or experience internet connection drop every now and then.
If you are experiencing this problem and looking for a solution, this post is exactly for you.
Here we have provided four solutions to fix the issue. You need not try every solution presented here. Just start with the first solution and work your way downwards until the “The default gateway is not available” issue is fixed.
Solution One – Remove 3rd party antivirus program
Anti-virus programs are known to interfere with network configuration. In fact, many users have reported that McAfee antivirus caused such problems in their cases.
If you have a 3rd party antivirus software tool installed, we recommend you start troubleshooting this error by uninstalling it. Kindly ensure that you have enabled the Microsoft’s Windows Defender protection program which is included in Windows. It is a perfectly competitive antivirus tool and will keep your system protected from security threats for the time being.
Here are the steps to follow to activate Windows Defender.
Steps to activate Windows Defender in Windows 10
- Click Start and then click Settings (gear icon)
- In the Settings window, click Update and Security
- In the next window, look for Windows Defender entry in the left pane and click on it
- Click Turn on Windows Defender Antivirus
Now uninstall McAfee program or any other 3rd party protection tool installed on your system.
Steps to uninstall McAfee or any 3rd party protection tool
- To open Run command window, press Windows logo key and R simultaneously on the keyboard
- In the Run command box, type appwiz.cpl and click OK
- Click McAfee program or any 3rd anti-virus program you may have and then click Uninstall (we have Avast installed so we’ve selected that).
- You need to restart the computer after uninstalling McAfee or 3rd anti-virus program from your computer.
After rebooting the computer, check if the issue persists.
If you do not get “The default gateway is not available” error, you can conclude the 3rd party anti-virus program was the culprit. In that case, you can keep Windows Defender protection activated on your computer, and contact the third party antivirus manufacturer and ask for a solution.
Alternatively you can use another 3rd party antivirus tool. If you want, you can also only use Windows Defender. For most average users, it is enough.
Solution Two – Update Network Drivers
If your network driver is outdated, you can get “The default gateway is not available” error. You can update drivers manually through device manager, but the process takes time. A better option, in our opinion, is to use a reliable driver update tool.
Automatic driver update tools offer many benefits, the most important ones being:
- You can update device drivers automatically
- The software scans and updates all outdated or missing drivers at one go
- The tool picks the right drivers for your device and operating system, so you won’t have to worry about installing an incorrect driver by mistake
- Automatic driver updates are 100% safe
Driver Updater is one of the best driver update tools out there. Outbyte Driver Updater will give you access to a database of over 1 million drivers. It will regularly scan your PC, suggesting new driver versions to install. Driver Updater contains drivers for a variety of Windows devices. With just one click, you can update drivers in your system.
Step 1
Click here to Install and launch the app
Step 2
Scan all devices
Step 3
Install or update drivers automatically
Solution Three- Reinstall Network Drivers
A faulty network driver can cause various network and connectivity problems including “The default gateway is not available” error.
To rule out the possibility of a faulty network driver, you need to reinstall network drivers following the steps given below.
- Press Windows logo key and X simultaneously on the keyboard
- In the menu that appears on the screen, click Device Manager
- In the Device Manager window, double-click on Network Adapters category to expand it
- Right-click on Network Adapter in the list and click Uninstall
- When Windows prompts for confirmation, click OK to continue
- Restart the computer after network adapter is installed
- Windows will reinstall network drivers after computer reboots.
Check if the network issue is resolved. If you are still getting “The default gateway is not available” error, try next solution.
Solution Four – Change Network drivers
There is a possibility that your computer doesn’t have the correct network driver installed and this in turn might be causing “The default gateway is not available” error. To resolve this issue, you need to change network drivers through Device Manager.
Here are the steps to follow.
- Place the mouse cursor on the Start button and press the right mouse button
- In the menu that appears on the screen, click Device Manager
- Go to Network Adapters category and expand it
- Right-click on Network Adapter in the list and click Update driver software
- In the next step, click Browse my computer for driver software
- In the next window, click Let me pick from a list of device drivers on my computer
- Un-tick Show compatible hardware box
- Click Intel Corporation from the left column and select a different network adapter driver from what is installed
- Click Next
- See if changing the network driver solves the issue.
- If it doesn’t you need to repeat the steps above and select a different network adapter from the list. You need to repeat the above troubleshooting steps until you install right network adapter driver or until you have exhausted all options in the network adapter driver list.
