Troubleshooting Network Connectivity in Windows 11

Summary

This guide helps you troubleshoot and resolve: Troubleshooting Network Connectivity in Windows 11. Follow the steps below to fix the issue.

Common Causes

Common Symptoms

• Cannot access the internet or local network resources.
• “No Internet access” or “Limited connectivity” messages.
• Wi‑Fi network not visible or unable to connect.
• Ethernet connection showing as disconnected.

Step-by-Step Troubleshooting

1. Isolate the Issue: One Device or All Devices?

• Check if other devices on the same network (smartphones, tablets, other PCs) can access the internet.
• If all devices are affected, the issue is likely with your router, modem, or Australian ISP (Telstra, Optus, NBN, Aussie Broadband, etc.). Contact your ISP or check their service status page.
• If only one device is affected, continue with the troubleshooting steps below.

2. Basic Checks (Always Start Here)

• Restart Router/Modem: Follow the steps in How to restart router/modem. Unplug the devices for 30 seconds, then plug them back in and wait a few minutes.
• Restart PC: A simple reboot can resolve many temporary network glitches.
• Check Cables: Ensure all Ethernet cables are securely connected to both the PC and the router/modem. Try a different cable if possible.
• Check Wi‑Fi Switch: If using a laptop, ensure the physical Wi‑Fi switch (if present) is turned on.
• Airplane Mode: Make sure Airplane mode is OFF. Go to Settings > Network & internet > Airplane mode.
• Windows Updates: Confirm the PC is fully updated as updates often contain network‑stack fixes. See How to update Windows.

3. Run Network Troubleshooter

• Open Settings (Win + I).
• Navigate to System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters.
• Locate Network Adapter and click Run.
• Follow the on‑screen instructions.

4. Verify Network Adapter Status

• Open Settings > Network & internet.
• Select Advanced network settings.
• Under “Network adapters”, ensure your Wi‑Fi or Ethernet adapter is enabled. If disabled, click Enable.
• Check the network profile (Public, Private, or Domain) and adjust if necessary.

5. Reset Network Adapters

• Open Settings > Network & internet.
• Click Advanced network settings.
• Scroll down and select Network reset.
• Click Reset now and confirm.
• Your PC will restart automatically.

6. Update or Reinstall Network Drivers

• Right‑click the Start button and select Device Manager.
• Expand Network adapters.
• Right‑click your Wi‑Fi or Ethernet adapter.
• Update Driver: Choose Update driver > Search automatically for drivers.
• Reinstall Driver: Choose Uninstall device, tick “Attempt to remove the driver for this device”, then click Uninstall. Restart the PC; Windows will reinstall the driver automatically, or download the latest version from the manufacturer’s website.

7. Flush DNS and Reset IP Configuration

Open an elevated Command Prompt and run the following commands:

ipconfig /release
ipconfig /renew
ipconfig /flushdns
netsh winsock reset
netsh int ip reset

• Restart your PC after the commands complete.

8. IPv6 Considerations

• Some Australian ISPs and NBN connections may have specific IPv6 requirements.
• Open Settings > Network & internet > Advanced network settings.
• Select your active adapter and click View additional properties.
• Locate Internet Protocol Version 6 (TCP/IPv6). If you suspect IPv6 issues, you can temporarily untick this option to test connectivity using IPv4 only.
• Contact your ISP (Telstra, Optus, Aussie Broadband, etc.) to confirm whether IPv6 is required for your service.

9. Basic Connectivity Test

• Open Command Prompt and ping an external IP, e.g., ping 8.8.8.8. Successful replies indicate that the network path is functional.
• If the ping fails, verify the IP address assignment in Settings > Network & internet > Advanced network settings > IP settings.

10. Disable Firewall Temporarily (Testing Only)

• Open Windows Security (search for it in Start).
• Go to Firewall & network protection.
• Select your active network profile (Domain, Private, or Public).
• Toggle Microsoft Defender Firewall to Off.
• Test connectivity. If it works, investigate firewall rules before re‑enabling.

11. Check for Third-Party Security Software Interference

• Third‑party antivirus or security suites can sometimes block network traffic.
• Temporarily disable the third‑party firewall or security software and test connectivity.
• If connectivity is restored, add an exception for your network adapter or contact the software vendor for configuration guidance.
• Remember to re‑enable your security software immediately after testing.

12. Boot into Safe Mode with Networking

• Open Settings > System > Recovery.
• Under “Advanced startup”, click Restart now.
• After the PC restarts, select Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Settings > Restart.
• Press 5 or F5 to select Enable Safe Mode with Networking.
• Test network connectivity in Safe Mode. If the network works, a third‑party application or driver is likely causing the issue.

13. Check Date and Time Settings

• Open Settings > Time & language > Date & time.
• Ensure “Set time automatically” and “Set time zone automatically” are turned On.
• For Australian locations, verify the time zone is set correctly (e.g., Australian Eastern Standard Time, Australian Central Standard Time, or Australian Western Standard Time).

Advanced Troubleshooting

• Malware Scan: Run a full scan with your security suite to rule out malware interference.
• VPN/Proxy Issues: If you use a VPN, try disabling it or follow Connecting to company VPN from home to verify the VPN isn’t the cause.
• Router Settings: Log into your router’s admin page and check for MAC filtering, IP blacklisting, or other security settings that might block your PC.
• NBN Specific Checks: If you are on the NBN, check the NBN connection box for any error lights. Refer to your ISP’s NBN troubleshooting guide (Telstra, Optus, Aussie Broadband, etc.).
• Shared Network Drives: If you can’t reach shared drives, see Cannot access shared network drives for additional guidance.

When to Seek Further Assistance

If none of these steps resolve the issue, the problem may be hardware‑related (network adapter, router, or ISP). Open a ticket via Open a Ticket for further support.

Still Having Issues?