How Fix Internet Connection Problems in Windows PC?

Even though you can do a lot with your computer offline, internet connection issues can be frustrating, especially when you need to access some online resources. Without the internet, you cannot visit your favorite website, read your emails and even worse you cannot research for a solution to fix the issue. If you cannot access the internet from your PC, it could be due to several reasons. Below are some of the ways of troubleshooting and fixing internet connection problems.

Related: How to fix limited or no internet access error?

Internet Connection Problems Quick Fixes

There’s no need to panic when you experience internet connections issues. Sometimes you can resolve the problem by checking and fixing some of the obvious things. First, try the following tips.

• Look for unplugged or loose network cables connecting the cables correctly. If you are using a wireless connection, confirm that the Wi-Fi button on the laptop is switched on.
• Check to confirm that all the network devices such as modem, switch and router are powered on and functioning correctly.
• Check the network icon on your PC to see if the network status indicates any error. To do so:
• Go to the notification area on the right edge of the taskbar and look for the wireless or the Ethernet icon.
• The icon shows whether you are connected to a network and the connection status.

• If the network icon shows no error, restart your PC and other network devices could fix the problem. Reboot your PC and reset your modem/router by switching them off and then on after a few seconds.
• You can also test accessing a different website to rule out the problem with a specific website. Another suggestion is to try connecting a different device.

Running the Windows Diagnostic Routine

If you are using a Windows 10 PC, you can let Windows to automatically scan for issues and suggest the possible fixes.

• To do so, right-click the network icon and then click on “Open Network and Internet settings”.

• If you cannot find the icon, you can access the internet settings from the settings app. Press the “Win + I” keys on the keyboard and select the “Network & Internet” option.
• The first item on the settings page is the “Status”, which shows the network status indicating any broken connection.

• To run the network diagnostic tool, click the “Troubleshoot” button and wait for Windows to scan for network issues.
• Windows will then display a list of identified issues and suggested solutions.

• Click the “Next” button to try to fix the issues automatically and complete the troubleshooting process.
• Click the “View detailed information” link on the pop-up window to see the detailed troubleshooting report.

• You will see the details of the issues that could not be resolved automatically and their explanation.
• Try to fix the issue manually. If it is an issue with the modem not connecting to the internet, you may have to contact your ISP to resolve.

Related: How to fix intermittent Wi-Fi dropping issue in Windows 10?

Configure Adaptor Options

• Just below the network status, you will see the “Change your network settings” section. Under it, click the option to configure the adaptor options.
• A new window will open displaying all your network adaptors.
• Select your network and on the below the menu bar, you will find the options to enable the adaptor (if disabled), diagnose the connection and change the connections settings.

• Click on “Change settings of this…” or double click the network for further configurations. This will open the connection settings in a new pop-up window.
• Open the adaptor properties by clicking “Properties”.

• On the resulting pop-up, confirm whether the right items that the connection uses are checked.

Checking the Network Device Properties

• Click on the “Configure” button to open the device properties window.

• Under the different tabs, you can change the properties including the power saving options, advanced settings and the driver software.
• To update the network adaptor drivers, go to the “Driver” tab, click on the “Update Driver” button and follow the screen instructions.
• You can also uninstall the device driver and restart the PC to reinstall or roll back the drivers to previous working status. 

Note: Another way to access the network adaptor drivers is through the Windows device manager.

Other Possible Solutions

• If you have confirmed that all the network settings are correct but you still have the internet connection problem, you can try the following additional fixes.
• Disable the firewall temporarily and check if the PC connects to the internet.
• Another issue could be your installed antivirus or malware protection software. If you have installed third-party security software, try to disable the software temporarily and test your connection.
• If none of these options resolves the issue, you need to contact your internet service provider (ISP) to find out whether the problem could be on their side. Some ISP may block you from accessing the internet due to a breach of their terms and conditions or failure to pay for your subscription.
• If you are using a device on a public network, contact the network administrator to escalate the problem and wait as they resolve the issue from their end.

Wrapping Up

While you can still use your PC offline and be productive, sometimes you may need to access some resources online. If you cannot access the internet from your PC, it can be frustrating and could lower your productivity. With the above options, you can figure out what is causing the connection failure and fix the problem to access the internet conveniently from your device.