How to fix Internet connection on Windows 10: 12 steps to troubleshoot Internet dropping

Network issues are among the most common PC problems. There are various reasons for Windows 10 Internet dropping, but they are all software-related. So you can fix them with a fine network troubleshooter for Windows 10. Try these recommendations from Howly experts and solve these issues quickly and easily!

Why is my Internet not working?

Most connectivity issues occur due to problems with network configuration, glitches, corrupted files, or buggy updates. What unites them? All of them are software issues. So you don’t need to go to the service. You can quickly fix it at home.

Pretty rarely, it can be some external or hardware factor. We will tell you more about it in our article.

How to fix the Internet on Windows 10

First of all, you should check all externals. A problem can hide there.

There are a lot of factors that can interfere with your Internet connection. These are divided into 3 groups: external, hardware, and software.

And the first thing that you need to verify is external factors. If the problem hides there, your router and PC are fine. Fix the externals or call technicians to solve them, and everything will be alright.

The next thing you should do in Windows network troubleshooting is to check the obvious hardware issues. And the last thing is to check the software. Usually, the latter is the source of the problem.

Check external factors

Check that you have electricity at home. Maybe one of your neighbors has a short circuit, so your whole block is out of power. Check the sockets and reconnect the router. If the router or other connected device doesn’t work with this socket, call the electrician.

Call your provider. Maybe you didn’t pay for the Internet, or there is a broken cable in your street. Ask ISP support about your situation. If they say there are no troubles on their end, seek the source of the dropping of Wi-Fi on Windows 10 in your system.

Look for obvious hardware problems

All tech runs on some type of hardware. And sometimes this hardware gets broken. If you have been using the same Wi-Fi router for more than 5-7 years, it could just break over time.

If there was a short circuit recently, the hardware of your Wi-Fi could just burn out. Yes, it can literally get burnt and some important transistors turn to ashes. That’s why your router refuses to work properly.

If you are using a computer, check the network card. It should be mounted in place without wandering and wobbling. If the network card hangs around, mount it or change it to a brand-new one.

Reboot your devices

All tech has its software. Even routers are not the exception to this rule. The easiest way to solve the Windows 10 Wi-Fi problem is to reboot the device following these steps:

1. Long press the Power (Reload, WPS), 15 seconds will be enough.
2. Unplug the device from electricity and disconnect the Internet cable. Wait for 2-3 minutes.
3. Reconnect the device to both cords. Turn it on.

After rebooting, your router will have a default name and password. They are typed on the manufacturer's sticker. If you don’t have it, search for the default login and password online. Just type in the search box “name of your router + default password”.

It would look similar to this sticker.

If you use a Xiaomi Mi4 router, your search term will look like “Xiaomi Mi4 password”, while with TP-LINK C80 it will look like “TP-LINK C80 default password”, etc. You will find dozens of videos and websites with the answer to your question.

Run the built-in troubleshooter

Internal network adapter troubleshooter helps you to get rid of Windows 10 Internet connection issues. Run this path: Settings → Update & Security → Troubleshoot → Additional → Connectors → Run.

Wait for 2-3 minutes. During this time, a built-in troubleshooter finds the issue and points out how you can fix it.

Forget the Wi-Fi network on the PC

This action ensures Windows that this is an entirely new connection. Follow the next steps to fix Wi-Fi issues on Windows 10:

1. Click on the Wi-Fi logo in the taskbar.
2. Choose Network & Internet → Wi-Fi.
3. Look for the needed network. Click on the Forget option.

Shortly after, select the same network on the taskbar and connect.

Configure DHCP for a valid IP

Incorrect IP settings could prevent you from browsing the Internet. Change those settings to see if they were the reason for this issue. First of all, open Network connections. You have two ways to  do it:

• Type “Connections” in the search bar near the Windows icon.
• With the “Run” program. Press Win+R so it will open the “Run” app. Write ncpa.cpl and confirm it by clicking OK.

After you open Network Connections, stick to this instruction:

1. Right-click on the network adapter.
2. Look for the “Properties.”.
3. Double-click on the IPv4 option.
4. Select “Obtain automatically.”.

If you already see those settings, DHCP is not the source of the problem.

Usually, it protects the computer from external access, so hackers can’t break into your system. But sometimes, it works oppositely. It doesn’t let you access the Internet. Turn the firewall off to see if it helps:

1. Open Security → Firewall & network.
2. Go to the Private network.
3. Disable Defender Firewall.

Open any browser and try to go to any site. If everything turns out fine, you can surf the web.

Disable proxy

A proxy is a system or router that works as the gateway between the user. It has similarities with the firewall, but they are slightly different. Proxy works as a mediator between the Internet and your device. The more complex software gets, the more issues it can face. So let’s check your proxy. It should solve your Windows 10 network problem.

1. Open Run app and write inetcpl.cpl in it.
2. Go to the Connections → LAN.
3. Uncheck Proxy and confirm it.

Disable the antivirus

It works like a big firewall. When it notices a doubtful document, it prevents the downloading process of this file. Sometimes antivirus works too much, preventing you from surfing the web.

Turn off the antivirus and try to visit any website. If it works, consider changing the app. There are a bunch of safe and free antiviruses on the market now.

Update the network driver

Old software can lead to various glitches. One of them is that Windows 10 loses Wi-Fi. Check drivers and update them. Use your phone as the hotspot. Use the LTE or 5G network because the PC may not let you download the driver with low-speed Internet. Stick to this instruction:

1. Find Device manager → Network adapters → Wireless Network. Click directly on “Update driver,” or you can deploy the sub-menu.
2. Right-click and select Properties → General.
3. Look for the adapter and right-click on it. Find the Update option.

Also, you can find a driver and solve Windows 10 wifi issues manually. On this page, you see the driver’s name and its manufacturer. Go to the manufacturer's website, and choose the latest driver for this adapter.

Downgrade the network driver

You also can roll back to previous settings. Follow all steps in the earlier section of Wi-Fi troubleshooting on Windows 10. The only difference between them is the last step.

1. Go to the Device manager → Network → Wireless. Сick and choose Properties → General.
2. Look for the adapter and right-click on it. Find the “Roll back” option.

It will back up the driver. If this button is turned gray (as in the picture), you can’t do the backup. The system on your PC no longer has an available driver version.

Perform a network reset

It’s one of the most severe actions to fix Wi-Fi problems in Windows 10. It will delete all information about the network connections from this PC. Mark down important network passwords before resetting: it will slightly ease your life in the future.

After, follow this path: Settings → Network & Internet → Status → Network Reset → Reset Now. The system deletes all network configurations from the device.