Internet Not Working on Windows 11: Troubleshooting Guide

Experiencing internet connectivity issues on Windows 11 can be incredibly frustrating. This comprehensive guide provides step-by-step solutions to diagnose and fix common internet problems on your Windows 11 PC.

1. Basic Troubleshooting Steps

Before diving into more complex solutions, try these simple checks:

  • Restart Your Computer: A simple restart can often resolve temporary glitches.
  • Restart Your Modem and Router: Unplug both devices, wait 30 seconds, plug the modem back in, wait for it to connect, and then plug the router back in.
  • Check Physical Connections: Ensure all cables (Ethernet, power) are securely connected to your computer, modem, and router. Look for any damaged cables.
  • Airplane Mode: Make sure Airplane Mode is turned off. Go to Settings > Network & internet and verify Airplane Mode is disabled.
  • Run the Windows Network Troubleshooter: This built-in tool can automatically diagnose and fix common network problems. To access it:
    1. Go to Settings > System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters.
    2. Find Internet Connections and click Run.
    3. Follow the on-screen instructions.

2. Check Your Network Adapter

The network adapter is the hardware that allows your computer to connect to the internet. Here’s how to troubleshoot it:

  • Update Network Adapter Drivers: Outdated or corrupted drivers can cause connectivity issues.
    1. Right-click the Start button and select Device Manager.
    2. Expand Network adapters.
    3. Right-click your network adapter (e.g., Ethernet or Wi-Fi) and select Update driver.
    4. Choose Search automatically for drivers.
    5. If Windows doesn’t find an update, visit the manufacturer’s website to download the latest driver and install it manually.
  • Disable and Re-enable Network Adapter: This can reset the adapter and resolve minor issues.
    1. Open Device Manager as described above.
    2. Right-click your network adapter and select Disable device.
    3. Wait a few seconds, then right-click it again and select Enable device.
  • Uninstall and Reinstall Network Adapter: If updating or disabling/enabling doesn’t work, try uninstalling and reinstalling the adapter.
    1. Open Device Manager.
    2. Right-click your network adapter and select Uninstall device.
    3. Restart your computer. Windows will automatically reinstall the driver.

3. Network Reset

Performing a network reset can resolve more persistent network problems by resetting all network adapters and settings to their default configuration.

  • How to Perform a Network Reset:
    1. Go to Settings > Network & internet > Advanced network settings.
    2. Click Network reset.
    3. Click Reset now.
    4. Confirm your decision by clicking Yes.
    5. Your computer will restart. After restarting, you may need to re-enter your Wi-Fi password.

4. Check IP Address and DNS Settings

Incorrect IP address or DNS settings can prevent you from accessing the internet.

  • Check Your IP Address:
    1. Open Command Prompt (search for “cmd” in the Start menu and press Enter).
    2. Type ipconfig and press Enter.
    3. Look for your IPv4 Address, Subnet Mask, and Default Gateway.
    4. If your IPv4 Address starts with 169.254.x.x, it indicates that your computer is not receiving an IP address from your router (APIPA address). In this case, try the following steps:
  • Release and Renew IP Address:
    1. Open Command Prompt as an administrator (right-click and select “Run as administrator”).
    2. Type ipconfig /release and press Enter.
    3. Type ipconfig /renew and press Enter.
  • Flush DNS Cache:
    1. Open Command Prompt as an administrator.
    2. Type ipconfig /flushdns and press Enter.
  • Manually Configure DNS Servers:
    1. Go to Settings > Network & internet > Wi-Fi (or Ethernet) > Hardware properties
    2. Click Edit next to DNS server assignment.
    3. Change from Automatic (DHCP) to Manual.
    4. Enter the following DNS server addresses:
      • Preferred DNS server: 8.8.8.8 (Google Public DNS)
      • Alternate DNS server: 8.8.4.4 (Google Public DNS)
    5. Click Save.

5. Check Firewall and Antivirus Settings

Sometimes, your firewall or antivirus software can block internet access.

  • Temporarily Disable Firewall:
    1. Search for “Windows Defender Firewall” in the Start menu and open it.
    2. Click Turn Windows Defender Firewall on or off.
    3. Select Turn off Windows Defender Firewall (not recommended) for both private and public network settings.
    4. Click OK.
    5. Test your internet connection. If it works, you need to configure your firewall to allow specific programs or ports.
  • Check Antivirus Software: Similarly, temporarily disable your antivirus software to see if it’s blocking your internet connection. Remember to re-enable it afterward and adjust its settings if necessary.

6. Check Proxy Settings

Incorrect proxy settings can also cause internet connectivity issues.

  • Disable Proxy Settings:
    1. Go to Settings > Network & internet > Proxy.
    2. Under Manual proxy setup, make sure the switch is turned Off.

7. Winsock Reset

The Winsock (Windows Socket) catalog controls how Windows network software accesses network services. Resetting Winsock can resolve connectivity problems.

  • How to Reset Winsock:
    1. Open Command Prompt as an administrator.
    2. Type netsh winsock reset and press Enter.
    3. Restart your computer.

8. Contact Your Internet Service Provider (ISP)

If you’ve tried all the above steps and still have no internet connection, the problem might be with your ISP. Contact them to check for outages or other issues in your area.

By following these steps, you should be able to diagnose and resolve most internet connectivity issues on your Windows 11 computer. Remember to test your connection after each step to see if the problem is resolved.