MAC address mismatch: Why your PC might appear offline

Table of contents:

• How to find my MAC address
• Why a PC might appear offline
  • A new motherboard/network card
  • Virtual networks programs

MAC-address (Media access control) is a unique identifier assigned to each unit of active equipment or some of their interfaces in computer Ethernet networks. It acts as the fundamental hardware number that identifies devices such as computers, servers, routers, or switch ports. It is embedded in the device's network card during production and ensures unique identification of each network node, enabling precise data delivery to the intended destination.

How do I find the MAC address of my device?

• Open the command prompt (CMD).

• Enter the command ipconfig/all and press Enter. The PC's MAC address will be indicated in the Physical address field.

How can a MAC address mismatch make PCs appear offline?

The SENET system identifies workstations by their MAC addresses. If the MAC address on the gaming PC does not match the MAC address in the SENET system, the PC may appear as offline.

🔎 In the technical mode of the venue map, you can modify the MAC address of a gaming PC. This change will not affect the actual, hardware-assigned MAC address on the device itself, but will update the MAC address of the PC on the venue map.

Reasons why a MAC address may change

There are situations in which a PC's MAC address may change automatically.

• installed the Hamachi program (a program for creating a local network for network gaming) or any similar program;
• installed VPN;
• a virtual network connection was created using other programs or through Windows settings (most commonly, these connections are created by virtual machines);
• there was a replacement of the network card/motherboard;
• the PC is connected via the Wi-Fi network adapter.

A Replaced Motherboard or Network Card

If the PC was repaired, and the network card or motherboard was replaced, or if you connected the PC via a Wi-Fi network adapter, the new PC will appear on the venue map. Authorize it first.

📌 After authorization, you can remove the PC under the old number from the map and update the new one in technical mode by relocating it to the desired spot and assigning the correct number.

Virtual Networks Affecting Workstation Status

If you have installed a program that creates a virtual network connection (e.g., VPN, Hamachi), the PC may appear as a new workstation on the venue map. Uninstall or disable the VPN or similar programs. In some cases, you may need to delete or disable the network connection they created.