Troubleshooting network connectivity

Summary

This guide helps you troubleshoot and resolve: Troubleshooting network connectivity. Follow the steps below to fix the issue.

Common Causes

Quick Checks

1. Is Wi‑Fi/Ethernet connected? – Check the taskbar icon. Ensure Wi‑Fi is enabled (air‑plane mode is off) and that the Ethernet cable is securely plugged in.
2. Is the internet working? – Try loading a web site, for example Google. If the page does not load, continue with the steps below.
3. Restart your router/modem – Unplug the power for 30 seconds, then plug it back in. See How to restart router/modem for detailed instructions.

Detailed Troubleshooting

Step 1: Check network status

1. Click the network icon in the taskbar.
2. Confirm that you have a connection. If the status shows “No internet”, proceed to the next step.
3. If you see “Limited connectivity”, note the warning below.

Step 2: Run the Network troubleshooter

1. Press Win + I to open Settings, then select Network & internet.
2. Choose Advanced network settings.
3. Click Network troubleshooter and follow the prompts.

Step 3: Verify the IP address

1. Press Win + R, type cmd, and press Enter.
2. In the Command Prompt, run ipconfig.
3. Locate the “IPv4 Address”. It should be within a private range such as 192.168.x.x, 10.x.x.x or 172.16‑31.x.x. If it shows 169.254.x.x, the device has not received an IP address.

Step 4: Release and renew the IP address

1. In the same Command Prompt, type ipconfig /release and press Enter.
2. Then type ipconfig /renew and press Enter.
3. Check whether internet connectivity is restored.

Step 5: Flush the DNS cache

1. In Command Prompt, run ipconfig /flushdns.
2. Attempt to load a web site again.

Step 6: Test connectivity with ping

1. Open Command Prompt and run ping 8.8.8.8 (Google DNS).
2. If replies are received, the network path is functional; if not, note any error messages for further investigation.

Step 7: Check the network adapter

1. Press Win + X and select Device Manager.
2. Expand Network adapters.
3. Right‑click your Wi‑Fi or Ethernet adapter and choose Properties.
4. Look for a warning icon on the device. If present, select Update driver or reinstall the driver.

Step 8: Reset the network

1. Open Settings → Network & internet → Advanced network settings.
2. Click Network reset and follow the prompts.
3. Restart the PC when prompted.

Common Issues

Connected but no internet

• Restart the router/modem (How to restart router/modem).
• Flush the DNS cache (see Step 5).
• Try accessing a different website.
• If the issue persists, verify proxy settings and confirm the device is joined to the domain.

No Wi‑Fi networks showing

• Ensure Wi‑Fi is turned on in Windows (see How to connect to Wi‑Fi).
• Confirm the router is powered on.
• Restart the computer.

Limited connectivity warning

• Typically indicates a router or ISP problem.
• Restart the router/modem.
• If the warning remains, contact your ISP.

Cannot connect to a specific website

• Test the site in a different browser.
• Clear the browser cache and cookies (How to clear browser cache/cookies).
• Try using an incognito or private‑browsing window.
• Ensure Windows is up to date (How to update Windows).

When to Call Your ISP

• Multiple devices on the network have no internet access.
• Resetting the router/modem does not resolve the issue.
• Error lights are displayed on the modem.
• The problem persists for more than a few hours.

Still Having Issues?