Error 769: The Specified Destination is not Reachable

This morning, while connecting my PC to the Internet using a BSNL modem, I received the message: 'Error 769: The specified destination is not reachable'.

My computer attempted to connect through the WAN Miniport using PPPoE, but the connection failed. It confirmed that the issue was related to a PPPoE connection.

I also researched Dell and Microsoft documents. My research confirmed my findings.

The message displayed additional buttons: Redial, Cancel, and More Info, allowing me to select one. I clicked on 'Redial' but received the same error message again.

Athira Vijayan, a regular reader of CoreNetworkZ Tech Solutions, asked, "Hello Alex, I see the same error 769 with my Reliance jioFiber broadband. Why do I see this error?"

The primary reason for the message “Error 769: The specified destination is not reachable” is an incorrectly configured network connection.

If your network connection is set to PPPoE while your modem has DHCP enabled (meaning a DHCP server is active), your computer will fail to locate the PPPoE server, resulting in this error.

Ashish Mudgal, a senior Network Engineer at CoreNetworkZ Tech Solutions, mentioned another possible reason. According to him, if the network adapter on a PC is disabled, it will result in error 769.

The third reason is Network Adapter driver compatibility issues.

I will cover a five-step solution to resolve this error. Follow the steps below:

1. Ensure the Network Card Is Enabled

   Verify that your network card is active on your computer. You can do this via the Network Connections panel. (Refer to the link below for detailed steps.)

   Enable a Disabled Wireless Network Adapter

2. Remove Extra PPPoE Connection

   If your modem has DHCP enabled, there is no need to set up a PPPoE connection on your PC. Go to Network Connections and remove any manually created PPPoE dialers.

   • PING: Transmit failed. General Failure
   • Ping Error: Destination Host Unreachable
   • Pinging Google.com: Request Timed Out

   Sandeep, an IT professional from Pune, asked, "If I set the modem in PPPoE and receive error 769, what would I do?"

   If the modem is in PPPoE, delete any ISP username/password-based connections created on the PC.

3. Ensure the Modem Is Working Properly

   Let me share the most effective solution for network errors. A power cycle can help reset any temporary issues.

   1. Turn off the modem.

   2. Wait for 30 seconds.

   3. Turn it back on. (Refer to the link for a proper power-cycling guide.)

   Anagha Vijaya Kumar and Albert confirmed this step fixed error 769. They mentioned it in our support forum.

4. Reset Winsock

   Resetting Winsock may resolve socket-related issues. I have published a detailed guide on CoreNetworkZ before. You can read it by visiting the link below.

   How to Reset Winsock?

5. Reinstall the Network Adapter Driver

   If you still receive Error 769 after completing the above steps, uninstall and reinstall the Network Adapter Driver on your computer to refresh the connection stack.

1. https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/topic/windows-xp-sp2-causes-error-678-or-error-769-when-you-try-to-surf-the-internet-60bf37d5-744f-297e-8040-ec23d78df5fb
2. https://www.systosys.com/viewtopic.php?t=74
3. https://www.dell.com/community/en/conversations/windows-general/help-error-769-the-destination-is-not-reachable-message/647e60d8f4ccf8a8de5c970d?commentId=647e6117f4ccf8a8de618907