Fixing Error 813 Broadband Connection in Windows 11

January 17, 2024

Are you seeing Error 813 when connecting to broadband internet on your Windows 11 PC? Don’t worry, you’re not alone. Error 813 is a common connectivity issue that many Windows users face occasionally.

Error 813 can often be easily fixed with a few simple troubleshooting steps. In this guide, I’ll walk you through some solutions to resolve Error 813 and get your broadband connection back up and running on Windows 11.

What is Error 813?

Error 813 indicates that Windows has an issue establishing or maintaining a connection over your broadband modem or router.

Specifically, Error 813 means that the remote host aborted the network connection, usually because of a connectivity problem. This could be due to an issue with your network adapter, cable modem, router settings, or ISP.

Some common causes of Error 813 include:

Outdated or corrupt network adapter drivers
Faulty network cables
Incorrect router or modem configurations
ISP network outages or service disruptions
Bandwidth throttling or data caps imposed by your ISP
Interference from other devices on your network

In summary, connection failed with error 813 suggests something is preventing Windows from making or sustaining a stable broadband internet connection through your usual network path.

How to Fix Error 813 on Windows 11

Fortunately, Error 813 can often be resolved with some basic troubleshooting techniques. Here are some steps to fix Error 813 and restore your broadband connectivity:

Restart Your Modem and Router

The first thing to try is power cycling your network equipment. Unplug the power cables for both your broadband modem and WiFi router. Please wait at least 30 seconds, plug them back in and allow them to reboot entirely.

Modems and routers can sometimes get into a bad state that causes connectivity issues. Restarting them forces a fresh connection and often resolves problems like Error 813.

Check Your Cables and Connections

While the equipment reboots, inspect all the network cabling from your modem to your PC. Ensure the Ethernet cables are undamaged and securely plugged in at both ends. If you’re connecting wirelessly, ensure the router and PC WiFi antennas are attached and not obstructed.

Also, check that the coaxial cable connecting your modem to the wall jack or external antenna is securely fastened and not loose. A faulty cable or loose connection anywhere along the path can cause Error 813.

Update Your Network Adapter Drivers

Outdated or buggy network adapter drivers in Windows can also produce Error 813. To update your drivers:

Open Device Manager in Windows 11 by right-clicking the Start menu and selecting it from the context menu.
Expand the Network adapters section.
Right-click your broadband adapter and select Update driver.
Choose Search automatically for drivers.
Reboot your PC once the update is complete.

This will install the latest driver tailored for your adapter hardware and Windows 11, often resolving connectivity issues like Error 813.

Reset Your Network Settings

Resetting your network settings in Windows can clear out any corrupted settings that may interfere with connectivity. To reset:

Go to Settings > Network & Internet > Advanced network settings.
Under More network adapter options, click Restore.
In the Network Reset window, click Reset.
Wait for the reset to complete, then reboot your PC.

Resetting flushes your network settings to default without altering your files, apps, or data. After restarting, Windows will automatically redetect your network adapter and reconfigure your broadband connection with fresh settings.

Check for Firmware and Driver Updates

Check the manufacturer’s websites for your modem and router to see if any new firmware or driver updates are available. Install these to ensure you’re running the most up-to-date software for your equipment.

New firmware versions often address stability and performance issues. Updating to your router’s latest WiFi and Ethernet drivers can also help resolve Error 813.

Inspect Router Settings

Log into your router admin interface and double-check all the settings:

Ensure the wireless mode (802.11b/g/n) matches your network adapter
Verify the wireless channel doesn’t conflict with nearby networks
Check the router firmware version and upgrade if necessary
Confirm security encryption matches your PC (WPA2, WPA3, etc.)
Verify the DHCP address range can handle all connected devices
Inspect port forwarding rules to ensure no conflicts or issues

Adjusting problematic router settings can help stabilize your broadband connection and eliminate Error 813.

Clone Your PC’s MAC Address

Some ISPs register the MAC address of your first network adapter during installation. Cloning your PC’s MAC address into the router assigns the registered address to your new router connection:

On your PC, run cmd.exe and type ipconfig /all to find your MAC address (12-digit hex starting with FF or 00).
Log into your router admin page and visit the LAN or DHCP settings.
Enable MAC address cloning and enter your PC’s MAC address.
Save changes and reboot both the router and PC.

This makes your router present your PC’s expected MAC address to the ISP for a consistent broadband connection.

Temporarily Disable Antivirus and Firewall

Overzealous antivirus software or firewall settings can sometimes interfere with network traffic and cause errors like 813. As a test, temporarily disable your antivirus and turn off the Windows Firewall.

If the connection stabilizes, turn them back on one at a time to identify the problematic application. Reconfigure it to exclude your network adapter and router from traffic scanning and blocking. This will maintain security while preventing future interference.

Renew Your IP Address

Request a new IP address lease from the router:

Open cmd.exe and run ipconfig /release
Run ipconfig /renew
Reboot your PC

This will break your current DHCP lease and request a fresh IP from the router’s address pool. Getting a new, clean IP assignment can clear up lingering issues and get Error 813 resolved.

Clone Modem Settings to New One

If you recently installed a new modem, cloning your old modem’s settings to the new hardware can provide a consistent configuration:

Log into both the new and old modems’ admin interfaces.
On the old modem, go to Backup or Export Settings.
Save a config file with your usernames, passwords, connection details, etc.
On the new modem, choose Restore or Import Settings.
Upload the config file backup from your previous modem.
Reboot both modems to apply the consistent settings.

Cloning the configuration eliminates discrepancies and keeps your new modem in sync with your ISP expectations, minimizing errors.

Contact Your ISP

If you still can’t resolve Error 813 after trying all the troubleshooting steps, contact your broadband ISP’s technical support by phone or chat. Be ready to provide:

Your account info
Modem model number
Connection type (DSL, cable, fibre optic, etc.)
Error details (when it occurs, error messages/codes)
Troubleshooting steps attempted

Your ISP can run extensive diagnostics on their network, check that all your credentials are valid, verify your connection path is configured correctly, and confirm there are no issues between their systems and your location. They can detect and resolve a problem beyond your home network setup.

Summary

Error 813 can certainly be frustrating. But in most cases, it can be fixed with simple troubleshooting techniques like updating network drivers, resetting router settings, and power cycling your equipment.

Isolate the issue by trying wired and wireless connections, turning off security software, and cloning configurations between old and new hardware. Getting fresh IP assignments and firmware can also help stabilize your network. And if all else fails, your ISP has tools to diagnose problems from their end.

With the right combination of restarts, updates, resets, and clones, you can get Error 813 resolved and your broadband connectivity restored on Windows 11. Just work through these solutions systematically until you pinpoint the specific cause. Your network will be back up and running smoothly in no time.