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Windows 10 updates tend to break things, and the latest Windows 10 version 2004 update was no exception. According to many forum posts, the latest annoying bug prevents Windows 10 applications from accessing the Internet, even if the PC is successfully connected and the web browser is working properly.
Unfortunately, the error appears without warning or reason. If you see a yellow “No Internet Access” error triangle in the Windows 10 taskbar and can’t connect to the Internet in apps like Steam, Spotify, or Fortnite, but can browse the web as usual, then you have an error.
Microsoft confirmed the bug in a support forum thread, explaining that it was caused by an issue with the Windows 10 network connection status indicator. The company is looking into the problem and will provide a fix as soon as it finds a solution. However, some users have already found a reliable solution that should restore network connectivity for your apps.
What causes this ‘No Internet Connection’ error?
This error is indicated by a small yellow warning triangle with a black exclamation point on Windows computers or a black exclamation point on Android and iPhone devices. This message is followed by one of the following error messages:
- WiFi connected, but no Internet
- Connected, no Internet access
- WiFi does not have Internet access
- No internet connection
If you see this message, it means that your computer is connected to your local network (your router/modem), but something is blocking internet access. Common reasons for this are:
- Your computer’s WiFi adapter is faulty.
- Your Internet Service Provider is unavailable.
- Your computer has the wrong IP address (Internet Protocol).
- Security software prevents access (antivirus).
- Your wireless network drivers are not up to date.
- Your DNS server settings are not configured correctly.
- Your DNS cache is corrupted.
- Your router is malfunctioning.
- Your computer’s wireless mode is out of date.
How to troubleshoot Windows 10 Internet connection issues?
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Reset your network settings
If your Windows 10 PC is the only device you can’t connect to, you can reset its network configuration by going to Settings -> Network and Internet -> Status. Click the text Reset Network at the bottom of the screen, then click Reset Now.
This will completely remove all network adapters and reset all network settings to defaults. Then you’ll have to reinstall everything, including the VPN software, but that may be the solution you need.
If you can’t connect to any devices, you should reboot the router (and modem, if applicable). Find a small hole in the back or bottom of the router and hold it down for a few seconds to reset it to factory defaults. If there is no reset button, you must connect to the router and perform a factory reset from there.
Disabling security software
Another unusual but plausible scenario is that you have installed security software on your computer that prevents you from accessing the Internet. Avast and other antivirus packages have had problems in the past where faulty updates have blocked certain Web sites or even the entire Internet for no good reason.
Disable your installed third-party antivirus software and see if the connection can be restored. If so, you may need to change your antivirus application settings or consider an alternative solution.
Update your wireless network drivers
You usually don’t need to update your computer’s drivers, as this often causes more problems than it’s worth. However, since you are still experiencing problems with your network connection, you should check for driver updates for your computer’s wireless chip.
If you have a vendor update application (such as HP Support Assistant or Lenovo System Update) installed on your computer, open it and check for wireless driver updates.
Running network commands from the command line
Windows offers several network commands at the command line. You should run some of them if you don’t currently have Internet access in Windows 10. To do this, type cmd in the Start menu, then right-click and select Run as administrator to open the expanded command line window.
To reset some of the files that Windows stores for Internet access, use these two commands:
- reset netsh winsock
- reset netsh int ip
If that doesn’t work, try resetting your computer’s IP address and use these two commands to get a new router address, one at a time:
- ipconfig /release
- ipconfig /renew
Finally, update your computer’s DNS settings with this command
- ipconfig /flushdns
There is no harm in rebooting your computer at this point.
Launch the Windows Network Troubleshooter
If you only have one problem with your Windows computer, it’s probably an error in your computer’s network settings. The built-in Windows troubleshooter usually doesn’t solve the problem, but it’s worth trying before proceeding any further.
To access the Network Troubleshooter, go to Settings -> Network and Internet -> Status. Select Network Troubleshooter and follow the steps to see if Windows can fix the problem. In Windows 7, you can also find this tool under Start -> Control Panel -> Troubleshooting -> Network and Internet -> Internet Connections.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why won't my Windows 10 connect to the Internet?
Reboot your Windows 10 computer. Restarting your device can solve most technical problems, including those that don't allow you to connect to your Wi-Fi network. To run the troubleshooter, open the Windows 10 Start menu and click Settings -> Update and Security -> Troubleshooting -> Internet Connections -> Run Troubleshooter.
Why does Windows 10 not show Internet access when I connect?
If your Windows 10 loses WiFi signal strength and displays "No Internet connection" while other devices connect without problems, the DHCP server has probably not assigned a valid IP address to your Windows device. The solution is as follows: go to Settings -> Network and Internet -> Wi-Fi.
Why does my computer say there is no Internet connection when I am connected?
If your computer is the only device showing a connection but not accessing the Internet, you probably have bad settings, faulty drivers or Wi-Fi adapters, DNS, or IP address problems.
How do I fix a missing Internet connection?
- Open the Settings app "Wireless networks and networks" or "Connections" and click on Airplane Mode. Depending on your device, these settings may vary.
- Turn on Airplane mode.
- Wait 10 seconds.
- Disable Airplane Mode.
- Verify that connectivity issues are resolved.