Ping Gives Hardware Error - Reasons & Resolution

When someone faces network connectivity issues, the first command that comes to mind while troubleshooting the problem is ping.

We can identify the issue by analyzing the error code generated by the ping. Today, we discuss a ping error, "hardware error".

At first, we check when you might see a ping hardware error. Like any other ICMP error code, you might get a hardware error when you ping a remote IP address from your computer.

Check the screenshot below to understand the Ping Hardware error.

It is the ping reply when your computer reports a hardware error.

Microsoft Windows [Version 6.1.7600]
Copyright (c) 2009 Microsoft Corporation.  All rights reserved.

C:\Documents and Settings\vi83>ping 4.2.2.2

Pinging 4.2.2.2 with 32 bytes of data:
Hardware error.
Hardware error.
Hardware error.
Hardware error.

Ping statistics for 4.2.2.2:
Packets: Sent = 4, Received = 0, Lost = 4 (100% loss),

C:\Documents and Settings\vi83>ping 4.2.2.2

Let us check the reasons for getting a ping reply hardware error.

The possible reasons for getting hardware error when you ping to an IP address are:

1. Bad Ethernet cable

2. Disconnected Ethernet cable

3. Disabled Network Adapter

4. An outdated Network Adapter Driver

In most cases, disabled Network Adapters generate a ping hardware error. Some users report they see hardware errors when they ping from a computer just after waking the system from sleep mode.

You may also receive hardware errors when you ping with an unplugged Ethernet cable on a computer. These are the common reasons for getting hardware errors while you ping a different IP address from a computer.

You have learned the possible reasons for getting a ping hardware error. Now, we move to the solution part. Let us check how to fix the ping hardware error.

Follow the steps below to troubleshoot and resolve the ping hardware error.

1. Unplug and reconnect the Ethernet cable.

2. Check if the Adapter is enabled. To check and enable the Ethernet adapter on your computer, follow the steps mentioned in the link below.

   How To Enable Disabled Ethernet Adapter On Your Computer?
   
   

3. Restart your computer

4. Replace the Ethernet cable.

5. Replace the NIC and check for the issue.

Some reports say the hardware error shows more with USB modems. When you see a ping hardware error, the first thing to do is to unplug the USB modem. Then reconnect the modem after five minutes.

Always ensure the ethernet cable between the modem and computer is working fine. A damaged network cable causes a hardware error.

If nothing works, the final solution is to uninstall the current network adapter driver and re-install the latest version.