Outages, frequent VPN switches, a flaky ISP, or a hardware hiccup can all leave users staring at the dreaded “Connected, no internet” message. This guide compiles reliable methods to fix the error and get back to daily tasks without fuss.
Tech guides for PC gamers
Restart all devices
Even when it sounds trivial, a reboot often solves the problem. Rebooting refreshes IP addresses and reloads network configurations. Power down the router, modem if present, and the computer. Wait about 30 seconds, then turn everything back on in sequence. Try reconnecting once all devices have fully booted. If the issue persists, move to the next step.
Check your router indicators
The issue might lie with the network itself rather than the devices. Check the router status: DSL lights should be steady or blinking occasionally, and Wi‑Fi lights should blink steadily. If you notice anomalies, contact the service provider and check home network status. The provider is responsible for delivering a stable signal. It could be undergoing maintenance or a damaged input cable. Repairs are typically arranged within one business day.
Discover new apps and updates on your computer from the past few days
If a third‑party antivirus program is installed, it could block internet access. Try disabling the antivirus and test the connection again. If the disruption began after installing a new application, that app is likely the culprit. Uninstall the affected software and run a full virus scan.
Run built-in troubleshooting
In the system tray, locate the network icon and click it. Choose the option for diagnosing problems and follow the on‑screen instructions. The system can resolve most issues on its own; when it cannot, detailed steps will be provided for manual troubleshooting.
Clear network cache
This approach helps with both internet access and VPN reliability. To clear the network cache:
- Open the Command Line utility by searching for cmd
- Right‑click and choose Run as administrator. Enter each command and press Enter to run it
- Enter netsh int ip reset;
- Run netsh int reset ipv6 without closing the window
- Finish with netsh winsock reset;
- Restart the computer
Gradually work through additional commands to reset settings, restarting after each run to assess impact. Enter all commands without quotes.
- ipconfig /flushdns – clears the DNS cache;
- netsh winsock reset and netsh int ip reset – reset files used by Windows for internet access;
- ipconfig /release and ipconfig /renew – refresh the IP address automatically.
Update network driver
An absent or corrupted driver can cause connectivity issues. Open Device Manager, locate Network Adapters, and perform an automatic update to reinstall drivers as needed.
Check your VPN connection
A free VPN service can interrupt access or cause intermittent drops. Ensure the VPN is updated and turned off while testing. If unsure which VPN to use, review a regularly updated, trusted list.
Switch to a different Wi‑Fi band (2.4 GHz or 5 GHz)
Most routers broadcast on both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands. If one band has problems, switch to the other. A 5 GHz network typically appears with a 5G suffix, while the 2.4 GHz network uses the base name without a band indicator.
Restart your network
This is a last‑resort measure. It can reset the router to factory defaults and erase saved networks, VPN connections, and other settings. Open Settings, choose Network and Internet, then select Reset Network and follow the prompts. After the reset, the computer will restart.