What to do if Windows 10 can’t connect to the Internet

Solutions may be different if you find out that your Windows 10 device can’t connect to the Internet. We have listed some of the best cures, so follow them to solve your problem. Since the Internet, and Wi-Fi problems can be caused by various reasons, try any method without underestimating it.

People's need for the Internet today is immense. Because of the Internet’s importance, any issues connected to them can cause us much stress. In addition, they may also produce financial losses, especially for those who run their business online. The inability to timely deliver a service to the customer can generate many severe concerns. Therefore, people should try to fix their Internet issues as soon as possible.

Windows 10 is not connecting to the Internet: problem and methods

Sometimes Internet-related issues are created by users themself or by Internet providers. To detect and cure the source of the problem, anyone who had faced Internet-related issues on Windows 10 can try the methods below.

Reset network connection

Connection problems can be eliminated by resetting the network. You just need to go through these simple steps:

1. Click on the "Network" right icon in the bottom right corner of the Windows 10 taskbar.
2. Click on "Open Network and Internet settings".
3. Click on the "Change adapter options" button under the "Advanced network settings" heading on the right side of the settings window.
4. In the "Network Connections" window, right-click on the network you are connected to and select "Disable".
5. After waiting a few seconds, right-click again and select "Activate".

Restart the modem

This method frequently helps those who face Windows 10 Internet issues. More specifically, you can turn the modem on and off with the power button. If the modem does not have a power button, unplug the adapter and plug it back in after a few seconds. If the connection problem does not disappear, you can do a hard reset.

In the hard reset process, all modem data is reset to factory settings. Your Wi-Fi password is changed to the default password written at the bottom of the modem box. If you want to perform a hard reset, you should find a pinhole-size recess on the back of the modem. Insert a needle or other sharp object into this hole. Then press and hold the button inside for about 20-30 seconds. After you see an abnormal change in the modem's lights, remove the object from the reset button.

Connect to the wired Internet

Before looking for a solution to Wi-Fi problems, try connecting to the Internet with an ethernet cable. Please note, that this method is suitable for desktop computers only and will provide only a temporary solution. If the problem is fixed in this way, the Internet connection problem is caused by Wi-Fi.

Restart the computer

The Windows 10 operating system or applications running on it can negatively affect your Internet connection. People often mention that their Internet connection is lost due to Windows 10 updates. If you face such an issue, it’s worth restarting your computer first. This method may be the simplest, but the previous methods we shared are more effective and quicker in solving the problem.

Check the Wi-Fi adapter

You may be experiencing some Wi-Fi issues. In this case, first, try turning the Wi-Fi adapter off and on. If you are connecting to the network with an external Wi-Fi receiver, unplug it and plug it back in. If the connection is fine but the connection level is poor, you may need additional hardware. Before purchasing additional hardware, try to minimize obstacles (doors, walls, etc.) situated between you and the modem.

If you have a good Internet connection but poor reception, you can purchase additional equipment such as signal and range boosters. If you have no Internet connection at all, there may be a problem with the modem or the Wi-Fi adapter of your device. To solve this issue, you should get support from technical services or experts.

Accessing the Internet from another browser

Sometimes the problem’s solution may be quite simple. Thus, browsers can cause Internet connection problems. First, change the site you are visiting. If the same problem persists on every site, connect to the Internet from an alternative browser. If the problem doesn’t disappear, try the next solution.

Clear browser history

Since browsers keep cookies and cache records, Internet problems may appear regularly. In this case, it’s time to completely clear the cache of the browser you are using to get rid of any errors.

Perform DNS cache cleanup

Similarly to the browser cache, the DNS cache is also stored. During DNS cache cleaning, DNS addresses and associated data from the Internet service provider are reset. Follow the steps below to clean your DNS cache on Windows 10:

• Click on the "Start" icon at the bottom left. Then type "cmd" and click on the first result.
• Then type "ipconfig /flushdns" at the command line and press enter.
• If you get the message "Successfully flushed the DNS Resolver Cache", the DNS cache flush is complete.

Call the Internet service provider

It may happen, that none of the above methods would be enough to identify or solve the problem. In this case, we recommend calling your Internet service provider. If they detect that the Windows 10 Internet problem is not caused by the modem or provider, you may need to change the device. That is, you can connect to the Internet from a different device and run a connection test again. If there is no problem, you will either need to get your device repaired or buy a new one.