Ethernet/local connection wont work

So recently my desktop Ethernet connection stopped working, making me rely on the wifi, which is crap.

I went into network connections and I have no local connection there. Just wifi and bluetooth. In my device manager I see no drivers for Ethernet Network Controller Drivers, but I also see no errors.

When I try installing a Ethernet Network Controller Driver I get a error that I don't have the right hardware or something. Error message: "The Realtek Ethernet Controller was not found. If Deep Sleep Mode is enabled Please Plug the Cable."

I've already bought another Ethernet cable.

I have a Dell Windows 7.

Would really appreciate any help.

Update: Apparently my ethernet controller fell asleep by some strange error? And it won't wake up. I've tried all the solutions I could find except removing my RAM cards for a while. I think I'll try that next as my last option.

 

Is it enabled in the BIOS?

 

Yes. I tried disabling and enabling it a couple times.

 

That's a weird one, Check your connections are lit ( LED ), try a different ethernet cable, Check all your drivers are installed for your motherboard. Check your settings in the BIOS & Router.

Not really sure what else, when you diagnose; are you connected to the router but not the internet? Or the other way around?

 

I've already done all of this I have absolutely no local connection. I'm on the wifi right now. It's really aggravating how obscure this problem is.

 

My rigs have had this issue at least a dozen times, try rebooting or resetting your router / modem or computer.

 

Hmm. I tried resetting/rebooting the router/modem a few times, but that was before I realized I had this issue so I don't remember if it helped. I'll try that next, thanks.

EDIT: Just rebooted both and it didn't fix it. Thanks though

 

Where did you get your drivers from?

Also, motherboard model?

 

I got them from the Dell website, it has a area where it recognizes your device and lists all the drivers.

Its a Dell XPS 8500 x64

EDIT: If I can just figure out how to wake it up then I can set it to not fall asleep again

 

So after looking at every single thread on the internet discussing this I've concluded my port or whatever is fried. There's been multiple storms lately and it stopped working after that.

If anyone wants to help me figure out what I need to replace that'd be very helpful. I'm also considering getting the 3.0 usb > ethernet converter to skirt the problem altogether.

 

If you're sure it is 100% fried then you could get a PCI Ethernet card. They are still around and are fairly cheap.