@Whoopidoo 

Hey

As you say the switch should be working out of the box with no configuration, it literally just takes incoming traffic and fires it out another port.

Does the PC / Laptop read the network card as connected when you plug it into the switch?   if so check and ensure that you have it set for DHCP mode.     Details below from MS

To enable DHCP or change other TCP/IP settings

1. Select Start , then select Settings  > Network & Internet .

2. Do one of the following:

   • For a Wi-Fi network, select Wi-Fi  > Manage known networks. Choose the network you want to change the settings for, then select Properties.

   • For an Ethernet network, select Ethernet, then select the Ethernet network you’re connected to.

3. Under IP assignment, select Edit.

4. Under Edit IP settings, select Automatic (DHCP) or Manual.

   1. To specify IPv4 settings manually

      1. Under Edit IP settings, choose Manual, then turn on IPv4.

      2. To specify an IP address, in the IP address, Subnet prefix length, and Gateway boxes, type the IP address settings.

      3. To specify a DNS server address, in the Preferred DNS and Alternate DNS boxes, type the addresses of the primary and secondary DNS servers.

Save that and exit..   retry